I have just spent a fantastic week with Sira and her cats, Mucca and Bri. Sira was so supportive, patient and encouraging of me – a true beginner learning Italian!

I enjoyed and appreciated every lesson, every experience and every day. Sira tailored my learning to suit me, and shared her love of language, and the history and geography of the area, with me. She arranged learning opportunities to suit what I was interested in – as a traveller, not just a tourist. Sira is not just a teacher – she became a friend, and I cannot recommend her, and this experience, highly enough. Grazie mille Sira.
Thank you again Sira
Ciao
Joanna – Australia – (September 2024)

I’ve just spent a wonderful week with Sira and the cats and it has completely exceeded all my expectations.

I loved the routine of structured lessons in the morning either at home or in a café or in the mountains, followed by an activity involving some language practice and then a relaxed dinner with more chat. She cooks lovely home-made meals with excellent fresh ingredients – I felt very well fed all week. Sira has great friends who joined us for dinner twice, which allowed me to follow the conversation and join in with my attempts. Although Sira goes to bed relatively early, there is no problem with staying on the lovely terrace to enjoy the cooler air as the stars come out.
I hadn’t really done anything with the Italian I’d learned at school, for several decades; Sira is very gifted at listening and noting where your errors are and incorporating them into next day’s lessons. She’s endlessly patient and steps in to correct just enough so that your confidence for speaking remains in place. For that reason Sira’s homestays get booked up quickly so if you’re thinking about it, I would say do it soon!
Stella T. – Scotland – (July 2024)

Sono appena tornata a casa in Canada e sto ancora riflettendo sulla meravigliosa settimana che ho trascorso con Sira – un’insegnante di italiano altamente qualificata e una persona gentile e fantastica. Con tutto il cuore, ti ringrazio, Sira!

I would highly recommend Sira’s homestay program to anyone who is interested in enhancing their Italian language abilities and deepening their knowledge of Italian culture and history. Sira is just the person to help you achieve these goals.
Right from the very moment we met, I felt comfortable and welcomed into her home and into her Italian lifestyle. She shared her apartment, her friends, her food and her two wonderful cats, Briciola and Mucca.
Her generosity and patience made for a wonderful stress-free learning environment during which we spoke exclusively in Italian. She was patient when I struggled to express myself and reassuring when I was mortified by the number of grammatical errors, I was aware of making. Never once did I feel she was anything other than kind, reassuring and encouraging.
Sira demonstrated an incredible ability to listen intently to me, to pick up on the topics of conversation that interested me and then to weave them into the following morning’s Italian lesson. Sometimes these lessons took place at her kitchen table or at the local bar or, on one memorable morning, sitting on a block of marble at the Marble Caves of Carrara – an experience I’ll never forget! The prepared lessons were a combination of grammar, culture and history – all focused on enhancing my language skills in an entertaining and deliberate manner.
I think it takes a remarkable person to open their home to people from around the world – to share their space, their language and their culture. Sira is just the right person for this sort of activity. She’s an excellent language teacher and a generous, open-minded and open-hearted person – wonderful traits for an Italian teacher to have.
I can’t believe how lucky I was to have been able to participate in Sira’s homestay program. I hope many other students of the Italian language and culture have the chance to spend time with her. It was a
Vilma Rossi – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada – (June 2024)

From the warm greeting at the station to the cup of espresso before departure, staying with Sira is like being invited into the home of a good friend.

Sira is a warm, open person and perceptive teacher. You join her life as she lives it so that the learning becomes integrated with daily activities. The immersive experience begins immediately at a pace designed to ensure sufficient comprehension, adjusted over time according to capability.  The day begins with a lesson determined by Sira’s assessment of the prior day’s conversations. Each is tailored to identified needs and to expansion of capabilities. Visits to small, colorful villages and sites of interest, dining with friends, discussion of everyday topics and of the world, all seem natural and quotidian, but serve the larger purpose of encouraging the student to become more familiar with understanding and using the Italian language. Sira is responsive to those capabilities the student identifies as wanting to develop and will construct a lesson plan tailored to help them achieve their goals. Sira did all of these things for me during my week with her, and celebrated my small successes with me. On a free afternoon, I had a cup of coffee at a bar in Sarzana and challenged myself to engage in conversation with the regulars who surely are there every day. When I later recounted the conversations to Sira, she was thrilled for me. Sira treats you as a friend from the first moment; you surely leave as one.
Gary W – San Francisco – (June 2024)

I just finished a fantastic week of Italian with Sira. She is a warm and open person who welcomed me into her home and immediately make me feel comfortable.

The opportunity to speak Italian continually during the week—both with Sira and her friends—was invaluable. Most of the time I was learning Italian by using it as we visited interesting places in the area, like the marble caves in Carrara or the Gulf of La Spezia.
Sira has had a long career teaching Italian and other languages, and it shows. She quickly identified my level in Italian and helped me practice how I could advance to the next level.
I would certainly recommend a week with Sira for anyone looking to learn, or improve, their Italian skills.
Learning Italian in Italy for adults – Sandy B. – New York – (May 2024)

My Homestay experience with Sira was amazing and more than lived up to my expectations.

Sira provided a high quality experience that was tailored completely to my language needs.  An excellent and very experienced teacher, Sira understands and can explain the learning process for adults and why it can feel so difficult at times!   She was able to identify particular themes in my use of Italian to focus on which was, and will continue to be, really valuable. Not only would each lesson and our general conversations be loosely framed around those themes, but also she was able to personalize the exercises to relate to something I might have talked about the previous day, such as my interests/hobbies.  Meeting with Sira’s daughter and her friends was also helpful and they, like Sira, were incredibly patient with my clumsy attempts to interact!   Sira is also an excellent ‘tour guide’ and is very knowledgeable about the area.  Again our visits were tailored to my interests and I was able to explore some incredible, magical places in Liguria.  I would highly recommend this immersive experience in Italian language and culture with Sira, it was stimulating, interesting, of course challenging at times, hugely rewarding, and overall great fun.
Angie R. – UK – (April 2024)

I’ve just spent a fantastic week with Sira in which I learnt far more Italian than I did in several weeks at a “normal” school.

Right from the start, Sira put me at complete ease and welcomed me into her lovely apartment.
The week had a lot packed into it but there was also plenty of time to rest and relax.  The great thing about the lessons was that they were tailored to me and what I was wanting to achieve.
During the week I had the pleasure of meeting a few of her friends who were very accommodating with my Italian, we walked bits of the Via Francigena around Sarzana, and visited some amazing places including Sarzana with its very beautiful historic centre.  I also learned to cook a carbonara and,  after all these years, how to eat spaghetti!!!
There is definitely an advantage to learning a language in different situations and it was a week that well exceeded my expectations.
Lindsay W. – New Zealand – (April 2024)

My week with Sira in Sarzana was more than I’d hoped for.

She is a welcoming and considerate host. I always felt relaxed with her and her lovely friends and learned so much just sitting round the table with them. As well as being a good host Sira is a great tour guide and an exceptional teacher. All the morning lessons were tailored to my needs and helped me build my confidence in Italian step by step with no judgement,  before I set off on my 3 week train journey through Italy.
Sira’s professionalism, adaptability ( plans were often changed because the weather was a little unpredictable in March/ beginning of April) and her enthusiasm made for a great week. Sarzana and its surrounding countryside and seascapes left me wanting to come back for more. The afternoons spent exploring opened up Liguria’s culture and history and being in areas without tourists was so refreshing. 
Sira has the ability to find common ground and find connections with her students and to make you feel at home. A joy!
A week well spent.
Marjory S. – UK – (March 2024)

My week with Sira was simply wonderful!
She welcomed me into her home with open arms.

I felt comfortable with her instantly. She worked very hard every day to offer the best options for me depending on interest, preference and weather. Every morning she prepared a new Italian lesson for me. She met me at my level and I never felt judged, only supported. I feel like my Italian improved with her guidance! Sira is also an amazing tour guide. I learned so much from her about her region. She is passionate about her work and Italy. I was also fortunate to meet three of her lovely friends, two of whom welcomed me into their home for a delicious meal. Every day was a treat! After my week with Sira I visited Bologna and Venice. She did not have to do this, but she prepared a list of places for me to visit while I was there. Thank you, my friend! You go above and beyond! A la prossima!
Caroline D. – Ottawa – (March 2024)

My week with Sira was wonderful beyond my expectations.

From the moment she picked me up at the train station until the moment she dropped me back off at the end of my week – I did not have to worry about a thing and felt instantly “at home”!
The Italian lessons started right away! Sira was so patient with my very beginner level of Italian. She adjusted each day to my level of understanding. And with all the rain we had during the week, she had to adjust the itinerary but it worked out perfectly!  From a rainy morning at the market to pesto making lessons with her friend. From a morning at the bakery to conversations over dinner, I felt a real immersion in Italian culture as well as developing a much better knowledge of Italian.
By the end of the week I could understand much spoken Italian (if spoken slowly )
I feel like I made a lot of progress and Sira’s encouragement every day helped me gain confidence.
It was a leap to go to a foreign country and spend a week in the home of someone I did not know, but I felt very comfortable from the minute I met Sira.
And the experience and knowledge gained were so fantastic! Thank you so much Sira! I had the experience of a lifetime with you! Grazie Mille!
Joanne L. – Arkansas – (February 2024)

Everything written in Sira’s lovely collection of “student reviews” is just as it is, and it all makes for an amazing, enriching, and unforgettable experience.

Added bonuses for me were Sarzana, beautifully decorated for Christmas, sunshine every day, and other tourists very hard to spot, which made learning by doing lessons, on the historic treasures and stunning scenery, a real pleasure.
I arrived having been trying to learn Italian on my phone, for a couple of years, but conversational ability and experience was completely lacking. Sira’s lessons, from the start, were directed to my specific linguistic needs and weaknesses. Whilst I found this challenging at times, it was always fun, and I feel I have now progressed in my Italian language learning journey because of her excellent teaching and suggestions.
Two memories from my stay. First a great day in Lerici – Tellaro, Sira with red lesson folder still to hand! Secondly a busy “day off” in Genoa with my chauffeur and excellent tour guide for the day, Sira’s friend Adriano. Not only did he manage not to lose me, but we saw so much and conversed entirely in Italian.
Thank you Sira and team.
Viki P. – U.K. – (December 2023)

In October 2023, I had the pleasure of staying with Sira for a one-week homestay.

I was apprehensive at the prospect of my first solo trip and the idea of staying with a complete stranger but, from the moment she met me at the railway station she made me feel welcome and, by the end of my first day, I felt like I was staying with a friend. The accommodation that Sira offers is wonderful, a private bedroom and bathroom, very cozy and comfortable. The medieval town of Sarzana is beautiful and within easy reach of Pisa airport by direct train.
I had previously had some 1:1 lessons with Sira back in 2021, but also had an assessment prior to my stay to enable Sira to know my current level of Italian. The course was then tailored to my specific needs and interests. Even though the weather was truly awful while I was there, Sira made sure that we were able to do all of the things that we had planned, including a visit to the marble quarries in Carrara, visits to San Terenzo, Lerici and Tellaro as well as going up into the hills to visit the medieval village of Montemarcello. On the day that rain really did stop play, we went to the market for ingredients to cook traditional dishes of Torta d’erbe and Tiramisu, which we then ate while entertaining one of Sira’s friends.
Sira was very intuitive and knew what I needed for me to move forward in my Italian learning journey before I did. She quickly realised my struggle to keep up and understand, when listening to spoken Italian, and that it affected my confidence. She immediately suggested a way for me let her know that I needed her to stop, to enable me to process what was being said, before we continued with the conversation. Something which helped me immensely. “Cosa stai dicendo”, Sira!!
Each day began with a more formal lesson based on what we had done the previous day, this may have been at the kitchen table or on occasion when we went to ’il bar’ for caffè and croissant. It wasn’t just during the lessons that I was learning, it was continuous. During conversations at breakfast, lunch and our evening meal, while in the car or on the occasions when I met Sira’s friends. Being constantly immersed in the sounds of the Italian language was a great way to learn.
I have visited the Liguria region many times before, but to experience the area with someone who was able to tell me about the history of the villages, the Italian culture and way of life was amazing.
If you are looking for a total immersion into Italian life, with someone that is truly dedicated to teaching, VERY patient and a lot of fun, then an Italian Homestay with Sira Gheller is definitely for you.
Grazie Mille Sira, Mucca and Briciola for a wonderful week that I will never forget. You are a truly lovely person and I was genuinely sad to leave. You quickly became a special friend and I hope I will be able to visit again in the not-too-distant future.
Debra W. – U.K. – (October 2023)

If you’re debating whether this week of language immersion will spur your Italian on, then I can assure you it did it for me.

Sira is vivacious and engaging and a born teacher. She has the experience to spot gaps in my vocabulary, sentence structure etc and by the next morning she had created some relevant input which was just right. This happened every day so I can honestly say that I had improved by the end of the week. Also Sira was able to adapt the trips and excursions to suit which I really appreciated. Plus it was fun meeting some of her friends and chatting with them and Sarzana is an interesting place with a long history. So glad I made this trip.
Sarah B – UK- (September 2023)

Sira is very warm and welcoming and made my sister and I feel at ease from the start.

She’s a wonderful teacher who quickly tunes into your interests and language needs and designs her teaching and materials to suit each student. We enjoyed a mix of learning by doing as we walked round Sarzana, we had outings by car to the Golfo dei Poeti, for example, we had dinner together and sometimes with Sira’s friends, which was delightful. In a week I felt much more confident in speaking Italian and using everyday language. Thank you Sira, for a wonderful week!
Jane A.- UK- (September, 2023)

I recently had an incredible week in September 2023, immersing myself in Italian with Sira.

I didn’t quite know what to expect, and I was a tad nervous about conversing in Italian consistently with my beginner-level skills. Sure, I had previously taken a group class for two weeks in Puglia, but that felt easier because we mostly spoke English outside of the class.
When I arrived, after a slightly delayed flight, Sira whisked me away to a community Polenta Festival with her friends. They were warm and welcoming and did not pressure me to engage in endless conversation. The festival itself was delightful! And that’s what sets this course apart; it’s all about living everyday Italian life and participating in local activities. It’s like dropping into the life of a good friend and spending a week doing what they do.
Our typical day would start with breakfast at home, at a local patisserie, or sometimes both, depending on our morning plans. Sira would gently assist me in ordering coffee and pastries, allowing me to practice my rudimentary Italian with the locals. I was interested in Medieval history, and Sira has an excellent knowledge of it. So, in the mornings or late afternoons, we’d explore ancient villages while conversing in Italian. Afterwards, we’d head back for a late lunch and a much-needed “pisolino” (nap) and then venture out again in the cooler late afternoon to explore some more. In the evenings, Sira would whip up a delicious local Italian dish, and we’d savour it on the balcony as the sun set, often in the company of her friends, who’d share their stories and news.
A few things made this course stand out compared to my previous language school experience. Sira didn’t insist on bombarding me with endless grammar rules that I might or might not use. Instead, each morning, she tailored the lessons specifically to my needs, focusing on areas where I could improve or helping me practice what I struggled with the day before. It was all about relevance and making it easy to remember. Relevance, I think, is the difference between an experienced Italian teacher and a tutor who follows a rigid formula. Sira never overwhelmed me; she kept everything at my pace. She pointed out that I knew quite a few Italian words but lacked the confidence to speak everyday Italian. Within just two days, I shed my hesitancy and managed to converse in relaxed, albeit imperfect, Italian.
Sarzana boasts a stunning and historically rich Medieval centre, but beyond that, it’s a typical bustling small city with its fair share of noise and traffic. However, its prime advantage is its central location and many trains connecting it to Cinque Terre, Pisa, and Florence. Coming from Australia, I yearned for some green space, and Sira introduced me to a hidden morning walk, part of the Camino from France to Rome. This course represents excellent value, including full board and tuition, with minimal additional expenses. But the true gem is Sira herself, seamlessly immersing you in her and her friends’ everyday lives. Such an intimate and authentic experience is rare.
Clare G. – Australia – (September, 2023)

I was very nervous leading up to my week with Sira but from the moment we met, she put me at ease.

Sira was so encouraging but gentle with her conversation and helped build my confidence from day one.
I undertook the Learning By Doing program for a week, living in Sira’s apartment. It was so comfortable and she and her 2 beautiful cats made me feel right at home.
After breakfast on the terrace, we started the day with some lessons, going over mistakes I had made the previous day and watching the news headlines in Italian to promote listening skills, comprehension and discussion.
Sira is a highly experienced language teacher which meant those lessons were not only instructive and relevant but entertaining, optimising the learning experience.
After the morning classes, Sira and I would head out for an afternoon activity. We visited beautiful towns, including Sarzana and its weekly market, the Carrara Marble quarry (so interesting) and some museums. We wandered along the via Francigena and enjoyed lunches and dinners on the terrace with her friends. We discussed in Italian (at a comfortable pace) life, parenting, politics, hopes and dreams. Sira shared her Italian culture with me and I was able to share my experience of life in Australia with her.
Each day there was some free time to rest my mind and body and ample time to catch up on emails and books etc. On my free day I visited the Cinque Terre by bus and then boat, where I had a chance to try out my new language confidence in the world!
My week with Sira exceeded my expectations. I feel that improved my language skills so much during the week and the grammar came alive in my conversation. I learned about Italy at a deeper level and feel that I have made a lifelong friend in the process.
Jane S. – Melbourne – (June 2023)

I awoke each morning to the faint sound of the computer printer, and I knew that Sira was preparing my custom lesson, incorporating our activities and my language experiences from the day before.

She understood what I needed to become more confident about speaking and even thinking in Italian What had been a struggle to overcome problems turned into a journey of discovery. Since I had already visited the famous and spectacular areas of Cinque Terre and the Bay of Poets, Sira chose a castle with pre-Christian, little-known statues, a working marble mine in a cave, a beach and a canal, places that define the character of Lunigiana, the ancient civilization at the border of Liguria and Tuscany. I learned how events in Europe, pilgrimages and politics, have shaped the region. I shared the rhythm of Sira’s daily life, laughing with her friends, loving her cats, shopping in the charming pedonale of Sarzana, and absorbing the spectacular view of the mountains from her terrace. Finally, there is the wisdom of Sira as a teacher. She knew when to revert to English, when to explain grammar, when to ignore mistakes, and when to pause for an in depth explanation of a nuance. I left with resources like a slow talking Italian news channel and a long term assignment: to learn to sing an old Italian popular tune that would clear my head of rules and anxieties and free up my inner Italian self. I have visited Italy as a tourist many times, but my week with Sira was the first time I understood where I was. Truly a magical experience!
Nancy K. T – North Carolina – (May 2023)

Thank you very much for the wonderful week with you (and the cats). You are a great teacher and I learnt a lot.

Realizing I needed a one-on-one ‘kick start’ I found HMST Italia on line; Sira answered my queries quickly and thoroughly – having filled in a short questionnaire in order for Sira to assess my level I set off for Sarzanna really not knowing what to expect but hoping to come away with some basic conversation.
My welcome by Sira was warm and the apartment cosy and comfortable and I found myself being tutored immediately in the basic greetings.
As promised Sira had compiled a schedule of both lessons and leisure activities based on the information I had given her about my interests.
In the first hours Sira ascertained what I actually wanted to achieve and why and set out a way to accomplish this.
I found her teaching thorough, informative and sensitive, giving me not just the framework to learn but also, from the very beginning, the confidence and assurance to speak in Italian.
Sarzana is a beautiful medieval town in one of the most naturally beautiful and historic areas of Italy and through Sira’s guidance I came away with not just far more Italian than I thought I could possibly learn in such a short time, but an experience of the culture of the area. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Christina T.K. – Ireland – (May 2023 – September 2024)

The week with Sira was a fantastic experience and really, really good for my Italian.

I spent a week with Sira in Sarzana in May 2022. A visit that had, sadly, been delayed by two years because of Covid. After trying to learn Italian for several years, I had got stuck in a rut and was making no progress…. The week with Sira was a fantastic experience and really, really good for my Italian. She is a truly excellent teacher, a wonderful host and enthusiastic tour guide for this very special part of Italy called Lunigiana. We some formal lessons, but most of the time we spoke Italian. Not a word of any another language was spoken, which for me was what was needed. Sira is very knowledgeable, passionate and interested in a wide range of things so we had no shortage of topics for discussion, debate and sharing. The weather was really nice and I like the outdoors, so we spent a lot of time walking in the lovely countryside around Sarzana up into the Apuan Alps and by the dramatic coast (Golfo della Spezia). The footprints of past writers and poets were all around from Shelley and Byron to DH Lawrence. As it happened, the Giro D’Italia (a famous cycle race) was passing by during my stay. Sira gladly humoured me, so we spent a day out driving through the gorgeous Appennine mountains to see the Giro go over a mountain pass. Together we were real cycle fans (“tifosi di bici”) for the day. An added bonus was meeting several of Sira’s friends who came round for dinner. I was a bit nervous at the prospect of trying out my Italian on other people. However, they were all extremely friendly and it was interesting to get (and share) a wide range of views and perspectives on life, wine and Italy and other important things. By the end of the week I was really sad to say goodbye to Sira as she had become a good friend as well as my teacher (“Profe”). I will always remember with fond memories my week in Sarzana.
Ciao Sira and Ciao Sarzana.
Stephen N. – UK – (May 2022)

Sira’s course was exactly what I was looking for. One to one tuition and immersion in Italian life.

I was looking for somewhere to go that would make me speak and learn Italian. Many courses I looked at were ‘college’ based, which meant after the lessons it would be so easy to slip into speaking English even with foreign students. Sira’s course was exactly what I was looking for. One to one tuition and immersion in Italian life. The course structure is excellent.. a great mix of lessons, practice, and day to day speaking and visits to some beautiful places ( all part of the learning process even admiring amazing scenery out would come a quick lesson ! But what better way to learn)
Sira is a superb teacher, with a well planned itinerary to suit individuals interests and abilities. She is great fun and a very easy person to spend time with.
I was fortunate to be asked to be her guinea pig for a new course, she is planning to do with her friend who is a chef. Learn Italian and experience Italian cooking. We had a hilarious afternoon making tagliatelle and sauce. Just what you need to lose any inhibitions.
Location … great . Direct train from Pisa to Sarzana and a great hotel Bologna within easy walking distance to the train station if you have to overnight or like me you want to extend your stay and see Pisa and put into practice your Italian.
I would recommend Sira’s courses to anyone who wants to have that one to one experience of learning/improving your Italian. Thanks Sira for a fantastic week.
Louise W. – UK – (March 2023- September 2024)

If your goal is to improve your Italian, whatever your grade: beginner, intermediate or advanced, a homestay course with Sira Gheller will definitely move you to the next level Living with your teacher is to fully immerse yourself in the language.

It’s wasn’t just the 20 hours of formal lessons per week that I undertook, but the fact that even when not in the ‘classroom’ I was still learning – over breakfast, over dinner or when we were travelling to a destination, as Sira continued to actively engage me in conversation – all in Italian, of course! Sira offers a learning by doing method of learning Italian – I was not only introduced to all her friends, but we spent time together over lunch or over dinner, thus exposing me to native Italian speakers who may not be quite so clear in their pronunciation! We went for coffee and read the papers together, went to local markets and went hiking in a group, as well going on excursions to places such as the marble quarries of Carrara and to some of the mediaeval hilltop hamlets in the area. Time off was arranged during the week so that you could visit local towns and other places of interest (there is a very good train service along the coast) or so that you could spend time consolidating your learnings.
Sira is an excellent teacher – very patient (despite repeatedly making the same mistake she corrected me gently until I started to self-correct and finally got it right!) and very good at explaining grammatical points as well as words that I didn’t already know the meaning of. By the end of a fortnight, we were watching the telegiornale (TV news) together with Sira asking me questions about what was going on in the world and me summarising events in Italian!
Be aware that Sira is an early riser, and therefore goes to bed early, so don’t expect any evening entertainment; there is no television in her apartment, but the wifi is excellent so you can watch programmes on your iPad or laptop, if you take one. I took advantage of being here to catch up on some much needed sleep!
Anita T. – UK – (April 2023)

Thank you for a wonderful, memorable two weeks.

Your beautiful way of teaching, you have painted for me a fascinating and memorable picture of a beautiful culture, its land and its people. I will never forget you.
Bonnie M. – San Diego – (October 2022)

Two weeks with Sira did wonders for my Italian – and my pleasure in speaking it!

Sira understood exactly what I needed at every step, and she made the process so much fun that our time flew by. When I started, my conversational Italian was painfully slow and self-conscious. Sira promised to “unblock” my ability to speak and she did exactly that. Intuitively, she knew when my brain was ready to be challenged and when it needed rest. I always felt stimulated but never overloaded. Our conversations were so engaging that I almost forgot I was “studying.” Instead, I felt I was spending time with a wonderful friend. I can’t wait to go back!
Kathy H. – New York – (September 2022- October 2024)

It was a lovely week at Sira’s, and Sarzana is a cozy town which is lovely to walk around.

Sira always managed to adapt the teaching to me and what I needed to learn. She made me understand new aspects of learning a language, how important pronunciation and the melody of the language are. And then it’s great that the lessons can also take place on the beach, in the supermarket, in a cafe and for wine tasting. I am definitely considering coming back.
Anja S. – Denmark – (August 2022)

With Sira as your guide, you will genuinely learn by doing and have lots of fun in the process!

Her warm personality made me feel right at home, and her knowledge and enthusiasm for the area allowed me to experience Sarzana like a local. I will never forget the charming city, beautiful panorama, or the variety of daily adventures with Sira and her friends From castles to card games, Sira thoughtfully considered my interests and went above and beyond to create the perfect week-long itinerary. As for my Italian, Sira naturally met me where I was and appropriately challenged me with engaging lessons in a variety of skills, topics, and settings. I never thought I’d have an Italian lesson on a mountaintop or an historic pilgrim trail! She is a truly gifted and intuitive educator, which I can appreciate as a fellow language teacher. I was sad to leave Sira and Sarzana behind, but I left with a greater understanding of the Italian language, culture, and people–and lots of wonderful memories of my new friend in Sarzana!
Amanda. L. – U.S.A – (July 2022)

Sira is the most patient and thoughtful teacher who really loves teaching, and treats her student with respect.

I had been thinking about learning Italian and experience a homestay program in Italy for few years and found Sira’s website last November. Sira responded quickly and has become my teacher whom I trust because of her professionalism and commitment to teaching. After 4 months of weekly lessons, I finally met Sira in person last May in Sarzana, a beautiful city with full of history. Sira created a lesson program for my level (beginner) based on my interest in history and cooking, took me to beautiful places in the region, and introduced several places to explore on my own as well. She is the most patient and thoughtful teacher who really loves teaching, and treats her student with respect. I truly had the best time of my life in learning Italian and Italian culture with Sira, and now I can call her my lifetime teacher and friend.
Chiemi M. – Vancouver – (May 2022)

My Homestay spent with Sira simply flew past far too quickly……she’s a great teacher, considerate, sympathetic, encouraging and very patient.

The lessons were interesting, suited to what she felt would be of most help for me The excursions were varied, all most enjoyable enabling me to experience something of everyday Italian life…as was sharing meals with some of her friends and meeting her daughter. Sira made me feel most welcome, her flat was very comfortable so I was sad to leave but feel encouraged and determined to continue her good work to improve my Italian.
Hilary C. – UK – (May 2022)

I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my homestay with Sira.

She is an excellent teacher – well-prepared, attentive and flexible. There was a good mix of more formal “lessons” and local trips out which facilitated more natural conversations based on what we were doing. I also appreciated meetings some of her friends and family.
John L. – UK – (March 2022)

Meeting and studying with Sira was a truly transformative event in my life.

Sira is a uniquely dynamic woman of great warmth, kind patience, and a knowing and fantastic sense of humor. I first studied Italian language thousands of years ago and have been working to regain that foundation over the past few years. Choosing to travel to Sarzana to study with Sira was… a leap outside of my comfort zone even though I’m a fairly adventurous person. Sira understood my interests and created a schedule that was idiosyncratic and dynamic. Our excursions and hikes were perfection. Sira shared her life and her friends and I truly felt — and feel — welcome in Italy and included by Italians. I know that Sira will forever be a friend in addition to a supportive coach of my language abilities.
Ellen F. – U.S.A – (December 2021)

Grazie mille to Sira, for her hospitality, nourishment in food and spirit, patient and personal language instruction, cultural education, and lasting friendship.

In January, 2020, I traveled from California to Italy, in hopes of having a positive cultural/ language/immersion experience. Seldom are hopes so completely fulfilled! Grazie mille to Sira, for her hospitality, nourishment in food and spirit, patient and personal language instruction, cultural education, and lasting friendship.
Sheila L. – Nevada – (January, 2020)

If you want to fine tune your Italian, live like a local and discover things you never knew, look no further. Sira is patient, flexible, well organized, lively and funny.

She is passionate about her native language, and also about Italian history and culture. My brief four day stay turned into an immersion course in all aspects of Italian Civilization…An unexpected bonus is the town of Sarzana. Only a stone’s throw from the immensely popular Cinque Terre, it has escaped the tourist hordes and maintains its natural charm and beauty.
All in all, a very rewarding experience!
Katherine P. – New York – (September 2019)

I had an incredible experience of doing Homestay with Sira in Sarzana. I expected to have a good time, learn some Italian (I was not highly optimistic as to how much can one learn in five-six days?!) and, maybe, do some sightseeing.

What has happened, in reality, was full immersion in Italian language, including meeting three of Sira’s friends…and her daughter, a new destination to explore every day (I visited Cinque Terre, Pisa, Porto Venere and ended up in Florence, which is only two hours by train away). I was received as a friend and left feeling myself as part of the family. As to speaking Italian, by the end of my Homestay I started thinking in Italian. I am planning to return to Sarzana and do Homestay again. I know there are other places and other good teachers but I think I have found the best teacher for me. Thank you Sira!
Ludmila P. – Hawaii – (December 2018, Mai 2019)

Sira’s experience as a language teacher of many years was very evident.

She had an expertise in how language works and was able, throughout, to make interesting observations about how Italian operates as a language. I also enjoyed her explanations of aspects of Italian culture / politics. She was very organised and had prepared a varied and interesting selection of things… for me to do, which included some challenging and thoroughly enjoyable work on works by de André, each of them very different types of text, presenting different challenges. This is very much the kind of exercise I enjoy. Also a challenge – but very good for me, given my particular needs (I find it hard to hear what is being said sometimes) – was listening every morning to the news and explaining the different items. Sira is a very special teacher. Sira was incredibly hospitable, encouraging and friendly. She had also organised several experiences (trips out, dinner with friends etc), designed to expose me to other people’s spoken Italian. All her friends were lovely too. I had a lovely lunch every day, each thing something typical of the area. All in all, the home stay in Sarzana could not have been a better experience.
Rachel G.W. – UK- (June 2018)

This was a very valuable experience for me for a number of reasons. My experience with Sira Gheller was excellent.

She is an extremely experienced teacher. She was also very patient and an extremely pleasant person who was very compatible with me. She loves languages and teaching and so was extremely patient with my questions and continual elementary mistakes… We got along very well (she had a 2 bedroom apartment so we were almost always together) and in the afternoon she took me on tours, had a some friends over for dinner and one day had her daughter over for lunch. Her food was simple, local, and tasty. I would highly recommend her for anyone. I really cannot say enough good things about her.
Brian B. – Minnesota – (August 2016, July 2017)

Thanks to Sira, I had a great summer vacation this year. I wish I could have stayed longer there! She is very kind, patient and good at teaching.

At her place, I could learn not only Italian language but also Italian culture which is something difficult to know when you study by yourself or are outside Italy. In addition, she kindly gave me many chances…to use Italian with arranging meetups with locals and taking me to a local market. Sarzana is a lovely tranquil town, and a terrace of Sira’s house has a beautiful view, and we sometimes enjoyed calm evenings, the rising of the moon or the starry sky together. I’d love to go back there soon or later to study Italian with her again.
Grazie mille!
Mai T. – Japan- (August, 2017)