9 Things to Know About Teaching English in Florence

Ready for your teach abroad adventure?

When volunteering to teach English abroad in Florence, Italy, you will learn about and embrace the Italian culture, improve your interpersonal skills, and challenge yourself in so many ways.

During the spring semester of my junior year at Arizona State University I studied abroad in Florence, Italy at Florence University of the Arts. I went through ISA’s Florence program, and it was through ISA that I was able to participate in teaching abroad. ISA partners with some local schools around Florence to place students in the schools’ classrooms to help teach English.

The confidence I gained and the amazing, strong connections I built from my own teaching experience is always my go-to explanation as to why my experience living abroad was so life-changing.

For those of you who want an immersive experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy and want to learn more about how teaching English in Italy as an American can change your life, look no further than the guide I have created below!

9 things to know about teaching English in Florence

1. Italian classroom style

When you hear Italian and style in one sentence your mind may go to the fashionable ways of many Italians. However, the style I am talking about here is the teaching and learning style that takes place in the classroom.

In my own classes, my professors lectured only in the beginning and in the end of class. For the rest of the class, students would split into groups and teach everyone some of the material we were learning. In Italy, the learning was more interactive and sometimes as a student you were also the teacher!

We know you’re excited for an excursion to Rome!

This way of learning and teaching was a little unfamiliar to me, but I knew it was important to understand and implement while I was teaching English in Florence. Understanding the Italian classroom style, I was able to work with the teacher well in helping her students learn English.

More importantly, I could connect with the students better because I was more interactive and didn’t just sit there and lecture.

2. Communication is key

One thing I was worried about teaching English in Italy as an American was the language barrier between the teacher, as well as the students, and me. There were times when Google Translate served as our trusty sidekick, but (thankfully!) the language barrier did not serve as a big issue at all!

One thing I learned from the intercultural communication class I took abroad that resonated with me, was how even if we have different languages and cultures, the one thing we all experience the same way is our emotions. Knowing this, I took into consideration that communication goes far beyond just words.

Because there will be a difference in language and communication style, I tried to pay more attention to how the teacher and students used their emotions and their body language. Hugs, hand-holding, and linking arms were common displays of physical connection among the students and teachers.

Every day I would walk into the classroom, the students would all run over to me calling my name and give me a hug. They would also often fight over who got to hold my hand walking back from recess too.

Although I was there to teach a language and communicate with words, I made stronger connections with the students because I paid attention to their emotions and recognized the impact of the physical communication they used.

Florence University of the Arts has some killer views.

3. Be the student yourself

Before I knew I was going to teach English in Florence, Italy, I made it a point to sign up for an Italian culture class. A culture class is perfect because you get to learn a lot of cool things about the place you’re living in, and it can double up as information you can use to be a better teacher and communicator in the classroom!

I also suggest downloading a language app, like Duolingo, to help practice your Italian. Duolingo definitely came in handy for me as I pleasantly surprised any locals, or shops and restaurant owners that I interacted with, with my Italian.

Going to a foreign country, you should always try to learn as many words and phrases as you can to show you care and respect the people. Even a little goes a long way, and even your students would appreciate it too! Who knows, you may even become proficient enough to say you’ve gained a whole new skill and learned a new language.

4. Draw on past experiences

Having past experiences tutoring or working with children can be helpful while teaching English in Italy as an American. I had experience tutoring or working with children in the past, and it made it easier understanding how to interact with my students.

The students I taught English in Florence were all in the second grade. Because they were younger, I found it was easy to have them listen and respect me. One of my roommates abroad also taught English to a class, but to fifth graders. She would tell me some days were harder to get the students to listen, mainly because they wanted to rebel a little because they were older.

Pro tip: Make sure you understand the age group of students you’re teaching so you can adapt and be flexible with your teaching style!

5. Be their teacher and their friend

Finding ways to connect to each student will definitely help in understanding how (and what) they want to learn, and it shows you aren’t just there because you have to be. There will be a lot of different personalities in the classroom, so it’s good to make sure you give individualized and equal attention to each student.

During your down time, there will be plenty to explore and discover!

Paying attention to what the students' interests were helped me plan around lessons. For example, most of the students really enjoyed sports, especially soccer. A lot of the students would compare and trade their trading cards for the local football (soccer) team, Fiorentina, during their break time. Even the teacher got excited talking about the sport!

Their support for their local team even got me interested in wanting to learn more about their football team. On my last day, some of the students showed how much they liked me, and gave me some of their trading cards to remember them by. Forza Fiorentina!

6. Speaking their language

Practicing some Italian before (and after) you arrive in Italy is very helpful in teaching abroad as an American. Even while in the classroom, asking the students and teacher to help teach you some words is another good way to learn.

If I said words in English, I would always ask for the Italian equivalent. This made it easier for the students and teacher to understand what words they were learning, and I also had some fun being the student in the classroom where I was typically the teacher!

Another important thing to note: the English that they were learning was British English, not American. Many of the recordings from their English books, and words they used, were not in American English and had an English accent. I would continue to teach them the British version, and then also tell them the American equivalent, so I wasn’t changing what they already knew.

I always enunciated words carefully and clearly, so they would be able to understand the material with my American accent. Knowing the difference between British English and American English is very helpful while teaching English in Italy as an American.

Visit Venice and travel in style!

7. Navigation

One thing to really take advantage of when you’re abroad in Italy is how easy it is to get around the cities. You can really get all your steps in walking around everywhere in Florence, and there is so much to explore! I definitely recommend wearing some comfy shoes though (your feet and ankles will thank you later). Outside the city though, cars and trains are more needed for navigation.

When I taught English in Florence, I had to take a train outside the city for about 20 minutes, then walk to the school. The train system is really easy to understand and if you’re ever unsure about something, the majority of people are so friendly and would be willing to help.

One thing to note however, is that when you get your ticket you need to validate it once you get on the train. If you don’t validate it, the ticket is basically useless and you will get fined. (Something I managed to remember to avoid until my dad came to visit me in Rome and we forgot to validate—oops. 100 euros is not worth it!)

Other than keeping those reminders in your head, the different types of transportation available to you in Florence are very helpful in being able to go out and explore.

8. Explore the area

On the days you have off from teaching English in Florence, definitely take advantage of all the city has to offer! There’s plenty to do and you’ll never get bored. I recommend going for a stroll along the Arno River or over the Ponte Vecchio.

Hungry? Make a stop for a panini! There are many places to choose from but All’ Antico Vinaio, Pino’s Sandwiches, and Antico Noè were all my favorites. Across the Arno River, you can head to Piazza Santo Spirito, which is the older and less touristy side of Florence. More locals live on this side and it’s a really nice area to sit down to eat and interact with locals.

A little hike to Piazzale Michelangelo or one of the many gardens (Giardino Bardini and Giardino Delle Rose are my favorites) are great ways to appreciate the views of the Renaissance city and nature. Florence is home to many museums and other historic landmarks as well, giving you plenty of ways to impress your family and friends at home with new knowledge!

9. Great experience to put on resume or talk about in interviews

Teaching English in Italy as an American was hands down one of my most memorable and favorite experiences I had abroad. Every time I entered the classroom and was greeted so warmly by the teacher and students, it immediately made my day ten times better!

Views like these will make your busy days worth it.

This experience was life-changing and even confirmed my passion for wanting to work internationally one day. My teaching opportunity has served as a great story to tell, and I have even used it to talk about in interviews!

Adding a teach abroad experience to your resume also looks good. Having that international experience, and seeing that you went above and beyond to culturally immerse yourself looks impressive. Talking about it to family, friends, or even future employers will be so natural and they will easily get to see your passion and the effect teaching English in Florence had on you.

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Ready to teach English in Florence?

Teaching abroad in Florence, you’ll gain valuable intercultural communication skills, new perspectives, confidence, and you’ll learn how to be adaptable while in new environments.

And while your experience may be different from mine (or others), it is undoubtedly a life-changing one. Teaching English abroad as an American, you’ll be a student just as much as you’re the teacher.

It’s always important to keep on learning and challenging yourself! In the end, the memories you’ll create through this amazing opportunity will stay with you forever.