I was born in Puglia, Italy, where my family of origin and my relatives still resides, and where I completed my education in Economia Turistica. 

I relocated to Virginia upon getting married and have resided here since. I am fortunate to visit my family in Italy every year for at least one month. I have two children, Gabriella (19) and Alex (17), who were both homeschooled! Although difficult, I have loved homeschooling my children!

My career in teaching Italian as a Second Language began in 2001 by chance! 

While working in Corporate America, specifically in the Hospitality Industry, my career started at Casa Italiana Language School in Washington D.C., where my husband was taking Italian classes to become more fluent in the language and converse with my family in Italy. 

Given my love for children and their need for a native language instructor for their Sunday Children Program, I was asked to teach. Initially, I was very reluctant, but within a few months of training and teaching, I realized that I absolutely loved teaching the children a culture and language I cherished. This experience helped me feel less homesick. Within a year, I was asked to manage and coordinate the Children Language Program, and within a few years, I was teaching all levels of adult classes as well. What a blessing!

I am very grateful to Mrs. Olga Mancuso, the Director of the school at the time, for recognizing my potential and providing me with this career opportunity. This experience allowed me to teach various age groups (3 to 80+) and receive training as an Italian Second Language teacher from various universities, both local and abroad, including Georgetown University, University of Maryland, George Mason University, Università Ca’Foscari (Venezia), and Università per Stranieri di Perugia (Umbria).

In 2010, I was offered the opportunity by the Italian Heritage Society of St Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax, under the auspices of Mr. Lucio D’Andrea, to start a language program closer to where I lived. Since then, I have been working as an independent tutor in the Fairfax area, conducting six to eight successful adult classes at different levels, ranging from beginners to advanced (A0 to C2), as well as teaching HS Italian to local Homeschool communities in Fairfax.

Teaching Italian is my passion. I hope to have the opportunity and pleasure to guide you on your Italian journey, wherever you are!

Elisabetta Lazarte