Our Story, Your Italian Journey.
Let's Rock Italian
More than a language school, we're a community built around language, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
From The Italian Academy to Let's Rock Italian
Let's Rock Italian was born in Cork from a lifelong passion for the Italian language, culture and way of life. For many years, we proudly taught as The Italian Academy, helping hundreds of students gain the confidence to speak Italian through expert tuition, genuine encouragement and a welcoming community. Those values remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our new name reflects our vibrant personality and our belief that learning Italian should be engaging, inspiring, and fun. While our look has evolved, our mission hasn't changed—to bring people together through language, culture and shared experiences, helping every student speak Italian with confidence from their very first lesson. Ready to rock Italian? Explore our courses and join the community.
Let's Rock Italian
Meet the Team.
My name is Marcella, I am from Turin, and I have been living and working in Ireland for over 15 years. I am happy to say that I have two places in my life that I can call home!
Growing up in Italy and immersed in her culture I developed a true love and passion for Italian literature. I have a First Class Honours Bachelor's Degree in Art and a Post-graduate Degree in Teaching Italian To Non Native Speakers. Teaching Italian and promoting its culture has been my mission for over 20 years.
Being a native teacher gives great advantages to my students with pronunciation and intonation, as I am still very much involved with what is happening in Italy in terms of culture, music, cinema, and art. This puts me in a great position to give my students a deeper and more authentic experience. I collaborate with primary and secondary schools. I teach bilingual children, secondary school students, young adults, professionals, and senior students.
I truly believe that love and curiosity about learning are what keep our hearts and minds young, and I love teaching students who understand and embrace this dynamic. Sometimes I feel that the real learner is me.
Teaching with Purpose
Every class I teach is shaped around the needs, interests and goals of my students. Before each new course begins, I take the time to understand what you want to achieve so we can create a learning plan that delivers the best possible results. Whether you prefer to learn face to face in Cork or online via Zoom, my courses are designed to fit around busy work and family life.
My passions extend far beyond language itself, and they inspire the way I teach. Music, cinema, photography, drama and art all play a part in bringing Italian to life in the classroom. I love finding creative ways to connect the language with Italian culture, making every lesson engaging, memorable and enjoyable. Along the way, I'll also share some of my favourite Italian songs, must-watch films and fun language resources to help you continue learning outside the classroom.
For more than 15 years, my mission has been to teach Italian while sharing the beauty of Italy's rich culture. In 2021, I founded The Italian Academy to create a welcoming community for Italian learners in Cork. Today, that journey continues as Let's Rock Italian—a new name that reflects the energy, enthusiasm and community we've built together, while staying true to the values that have guided us from the very beginning.
My Top 10 Italian songs for your playlist
Emozioni, di Lucio Battisti
Boccadirosa, di Fabrizio de André
La vita com'è, Max Gazzè
L'ombelico del mondo, di Jovanotti
Poetica, di Cesare Cremonini
Caruso, di Lucio Dalla
O forse sei tu, di Elisa
Marlene, Maneskin
Ciao Ciao, di La rappresentante di lista
Sally, Vasco Rossi
My Top 5 Italian movies
- Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, di Giuseppe Tornatore
- Perfetti sconosciuti, di Paolo Genovese
- La meglio gioventú, di Marco Tullio Giordana
- La prima cosa bella, di Paolo Virzí
- Le fate ignoranti, di Ferzan Ozpetek
Parole, parole, parole… (words, words, words)
Regalare or donare?
It is almost Christmas time, and all we can hear is talking about presents and gifts. During a session of our conversation course, we came across the difference between regalare and donare which could seem like synonyms but their meaning is profoundly different.
Let’s see the etymology of the two words:
REGALARE
Its original meaning comes from «regalitá» (royalty) and it represents an offer that has to be paid in exchange for something else. In Latin « DO UT DES» it implies a gift given in exchange for something else. This is a sort of a social rule and for this reason «i regali» mark specific occasions like Christmas or birthdays.
DONARE
Its original meaning comes from the word «dare» to give, in the most altruistic way. Donare is to give without expecting anything else in return. It is a way to express our feelings of appreciation, love, sympathy, friendship, gratitude for someone else.
The nouns that originated from this are il regalo, il dono, but also la donazione which infact describes the action of donating something.
What are you going to give this Christmas?
Tavolo or Tavola?
Seven weeks spent eating lunch and dinner with my family during summer in Italy made me think about the difference that the gender of these two nouns can make.
Il tavolo, a masculine noun, is used to describe the table as a physical object.
“Mi aiuti a spostare il tavolo?” - Can you help me moving the table?
“Questo tavolo é troppo grande per la nostra cucina.” - This table is too big for our kitchen.
La tavola, a feminine noun, is used to describe the table when it becomes the place where people sit to have their meal.
“ La cena é quasi pronta, apparecchiamo la tavola.” - Dinner is almost ready, let’s set the table.
“ É pronto! Tutti a tavola!” - It is ready. Everybody at the table!
“Tavola calda” – It is a type of café or small restaurant where you can have a hot meal for lunch. It is not a hot table!
Ciao! My name is Irene. I was born and raised in Italy, in a region called Le Marche. Now, I live in Genoa, in the north of Italy, near France. But in the past, I also lived in New Zealand, the US, and most recently, the UK. I also did my year abroad at a university in Dublin!
I’ve been teaching Italian as a second language for the past twenty years, on three different continents, to people of all backgrounds and motivations. I love sharing my language and my culture with people who are passionate about Italy!
I especially like how diverse Italy is; every region and town can offer a new world of views, flavours, and customs.
I went to university in Trieste, in the north of Italy, and I have a Master’s Degree in translation. I think this is what sets me apart from other teachers: I can give my students a deeper perspective not only on Italian and life in Italy, but I can also show them how a different culture shapes different ways of thinking and how to think and speak like an Italian.
I’ve been collaborating with Marcella since January 2024, and through our online classes, I’ve already met so many new, interesting people. I feel that I am not only teaching Italian but also learning so much about Cork, Ireland, and the rest of the world!
I hope to see you soon in one of our online sessions, so we can explore all things Italian together!
Real Italian. From Day One.
We don't just teach Italian; we help you speak it with confidence.
Conversation First
From day one, you'll start speaking Italian. Rather than waiting until you've mastered grammar, we use conversation as the foundation of learning, with grammar introduced naturally along the way. It's a proven approach that builds confidence, keeps lessons engaging and gets you speaking from day one.
Language Meets Culture
Italian is much more than a language—it's a way of life. That's why our lessons are enriched with Italian music, films, food, traditions and everyday culture. You won't simply learn vocabulary; you'll experience the spirit of Italy and leave every class feeling more connected to its people and lifestyle. Every day.
Small Classes. Big Progress.
Our classes are intentionally kept small so every student has the opportunity to speak, ask questions and receive personalised guidance. You'll never feel like just another face in the room—every lesson is interactive, supportive and tailored to help you progress with confidence throughout every class you attend.
Join The Let's Rock Italian Community
At Let's Rock Italian, learning extends far beyond the classroom. We've built a welcoming community of people who share a passion for the Italian language, culture and way of life. From complete beginners to confident speakers, our students come together to practise Italian, support one another and enjoy the experience of learning in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our vision has always been about more than teaching a language. It's about creating a little piece of Italy here in Cork.
Throughout the year, we organise social events including coffee mornings, brunches, cinema nights and cultural gatherings across Cork. These informal meet-ups give students the opportunity to practise their Italian, exchange learning tips and immerse themselves in authentic conversations. Native Italian speakers regularly join us, giving everyone even more opportunities to build confidence while experiencing the warmth and spirit of Italian culture.
Whether you're already learning with us, thinking about joining a course, or simply have a love for Italy, you'll always be welcome at our events. Follow Let's Rock Italian on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming activities, or get in touch to join our WhatsApp Community and become part of a friendly group that shares your passion for all things Italian.
Let's Rock Italian
Two Ways to Learn
Choose the format that fits your life — both routes lead to the same place: fluency.
Online Classes
Join live, interactive classes from anywhere in the world. Small groups, real conversation, and a teacher who brings Italian culture into every session. Perfect for busy schedules or those outside Cork.
In-Person in Cork
Come together face-to-face at our Cork venue. In-person classes bring added energy, spontaneity, and the social joy of learning a language in a room full of people who love Italy as much as you do.
