Ciao! I am Melissa, a graphic designer and the “crazy linguist” – la studentessa matta! 

I am a designer and I also write the blog Diario di una studentessa matta to explore live in Italy and flex Italian language skills.

I invite you to join me on an Italian language learning journey!

I have made learning Italian a lifestyle choice. A day doesn’t go by in which I don’t listen, read, write, speak or work on Italian grammar. The more I am exposed to the language, the language becomes second nature and I become a more confident Italian speaker and writer.

I take great pleasure in sharing my language learning journey through the Studentessa Matta blog, the podcast “Tutti matti per l’Italiano and through Italian Language Immersion programs in Italy that I organize with Italian Schools & event planners.

The Matta blog explores Italian culture & language in a light & fun way, as well as provides language learning tips. The podcast features clips of native speakers to practice listening skills.

I started my journey to learn the language about 16 years ago with grammar books I bought at a local bookstore. I then proceeded to find every means available to me to advance my comprehension of the language; I have taken classes, studied with private teachers, taken on-line courses, watched films & Italian TV, listened to Italian music and audio riviste, participated in conversation Meetup groups & on-line forums, skyped with Italian friends and traveled & studied all over Italy.

I have even hosted an Italian high school student in my home for a year. I continue to find new ways of practicing and learning Italian and it is my pleasure to share my findings with other language learners!

about.me (On-line Biography)

LinkedIn (Professional Resume)

Follow me on Twitter @italiamelissa 

Follow me on the Studentessa Matta Facebook Page

Follow me on Pinterest

Follow my podcast on iTunes and on the Matta blog

TRAVEL WITH MELISSA IN ITALY! I plan and co-lead Language & Cultural Immersion Programs for those who want to dive beneath the surface and use their Italian language in a meaningful and fun way. View current trips on the Trip Page.

LANGUAGE LEARNING TIPS Under the Learning Tab in the menu you will find suggested ways to learn Italian.

MATTA DESIGNS AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE: Livable Art for your Love of Italy! Take a look into my Zazzle Site, in which I sell my uniquely designed Italian themed products. Featuring iphone cases, ipad covers, t-shirts, handbags, aprons and mugs, posters, and buttons. If you have something you would like designed send me an email. Matta Designs is also on Facebook

Guest Blogs by Melissa

• italki.com Italian Language Learning Articles 2014: How I learned to be "una chiacchierona": Finding the keys to conversation in Gubbio

• Savoring Italy 2014 Podcast: Due Parole con Melissa from Studentessa Matta

• Savoring Italy 2014: Savoring the Sweet Life in Italia. A Guest post with Melissa from Studentessa Matta 

• italki.com Italian Language Learning Articles 2014: Learn a Language, Gain a New Soul: Language & Culture go hand-in-hand 

• Charming Tuscany 2014 (English Version): How to fall in love with the charming walled town of Lucca

Click to Read Guest posts by Melissa written for other on-line magazines and blogs

 

TA Reviews
Palazzo Ducale Urbino - Le Marche

San Quirico d'Orcia: Palazzo del Capitano

Gubbio - Umbria

Preggio - La Castagna

Spello Giardino Bonci

Rome Villa Borghese

Rome Castel Sant'Angelo

GardoneRiviera: Villa Vittoriale

Palazza Strozzi

Baci Perugina Chocolate Factory

Lucca Italian School

Ylenia Sambati (YLTOUR) Lecce Puglia

Matera - i Sassi

 

 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT STUDENTESSA MATTA: Click to read more comments:

Susan Van Allen: Golden Days in Italy Blog & author of “100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go” I’m so grateful to have met so many fellow Italofiles through the Blogosphere. One of the most fascinating is Melissa Muldoon. Many know her as La Studentessa Matta = The Crazy Student, who writes a wonderful blog, in Italian, featuring her funny and passionate reportings about Italian current events and culture, including such goodies as a colorful recent post about La Festa della Bruna in Matera. It was great to finally meet Melissa in person last month when we joined in with Le Donne d’Italia in San Francisco for a Passport to Italy event at the Museo Italo Americano. She’s as charming in person as she appears in her blog and on her Facebook page

Dianne Hales: Author of “La Bella Lingua” & “Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered”:  Brava, Melissa, una gemella anima (a kindred spirit)! 

Madeline Clarke Jhawar at Italy Beyond the Obvious writes (view comment on Linkedin): Melissa truly has a passion for Italy and the Italian language, and as a fellow blogger and Italophile, I have recommended her blog to many of my clients as a great place for them to practice Italian before departure as well as discover new ways to learn the language, keep on top of news and cultural events in the country and even read about art history. As someone who plans trips to Italy, I can also vouch for the tours she leads: well planned, well balanced, and well priced!

Emanuele Venditti, Italian teacher at USC in Australia: Mi chiamo Emanuele ed insegno italiano in Australia, alla University of the Sunshine Coast, nel bellissimo stato del Queensland! Ti scrivo perché ho scoperto il tuo podcast e l’ho trovato FANTASTICO! Tu sei bravissima (sia nel parlare l’italiano che nel presentare gli argomenti). Allora mi chiedevo se potevo condividerlo con i miei studenti, qui all’università. Secondo me lo apprezzerebbero molto ed imparerebbero molto. Non solo sei brava a spiegare le cose, dal tuo punto di vista (English speaker), ma trasmetti una passione per la lingua italiana che sarebbe bello vedere in tutti gli studenti!! 

Jann Huizenga: Baroque Sicily – Writer & photographer (view comment on Linkedin):  Melissa is a great virtual friend; we are fellow bloggers about life in Italy. But Melissa does something very special when she blogs: she does it in her second language–Italian! That takes skill (and guts). She is the most enthusiastic learner of Italian I’ve ever met, and she conveys that enthusiasm to her readers.

Sharon Sanders, Feature Editor/Writer  (view comment on Linkedin): Melissa’s passion for, and expertise, in the language and culture of Italy are irresistible. She has thoroughly embraced what I like to call her “Inner Italian.” She shares the wonders of bel’Italian with all who are fortunate to read her blog or share her immersion tours. Brava, Melissa!

Katherine Bennett, Trip Participant – Puglia 2012 writes: Melissa Muldoon I can not Thank You enough for the wonderful experience I had in Puglia Italy last August. What a great experience. I was totally taken care of. The Masseria Provenzani where we stayed was beautiful, peaceful & comfortable. All the activities, including the cooking classes with Mama Julia to the meals prepared for us, were so much fun. Every where we went was a new adventure and we were all treated like family. Everything was well organized. If you get an opportunity to experience the Salente Slow life with Melissa and Yle I highly recommend kicking up your heels and going for it!. – Katherine Bennett

LANGUAGES, WEB.2.0 APPLICATIONS : Diario di una studentessa matta è uno splendido blog creato da un’appassionata della lingua italiana e, come tale, sprizza entusiasmo ed energia in ogni articolo. Molto carina anche la sezione “tip”, i suoi suggerimenti da studente a studente…quelli più utili indubbiamente. Insomma leggere questo blog è un vero piacere: da docente di italiano a stranieri ho sempre sognato una studentessa così!

Lucca Italian Language School, Lucca Italy : Mi chiamo Daniela Bonaccorsi e gestisco insieme a due colleghi una piccola scuola di italiano per stranieri a Lucca, in Toscana. Navigando su internet, mi sono imbattuta nel tuo blog “Diario di una studentessa matta” (complimenti per il titolo, è molto avvincente!) e l’ho trovato molto carino e interessante, sia per i contenuti che per lo stile. Infatti ora sono una tua “follower”.

Barbara Azzini : Mi chiamo Barbara Azzini e sono assistente del Direttore Generale della Divisione Dolciari Nestlè Perugina. Le scrivo in quanto siamo rimasti piacevolmente colpiti dalla Sua citazione in merito ai nostri Baci Perugina e alla passione per l’Italia.

Linda Binkley Educator : I have been successfully teaching English to foreigners since 1969 using peer correction at both the intermediate and advanced levels. It has been my experience that reading and looking for errors engages students’ minds more than passive reading and therefore contributes to the learning process.



Copyright 2009 by
MelissaDesign