Anna Maria Forti Sheikh is one of la Academia’s Italian language tutors. And she’s a real culture vulture, with a flair for inspiring students of all ages. Known for her warmth and passion for the language, she brings Italian to life through immersive experiences, engaging workshops, and a dash of Italian culinary delight.
Here’s a peek into her world, both at school and outside it.
How the Italian Language and Culture Spark Enrichment and Joy
Besides her teaching work at la Academia, Anna Maria is also a freelance translator, language consultant, and GCSE Italian Teacher at the CDLCI (Education Department of the Italian Consulate in Manchester). In addition, she also teaches the Italian language to adults, from beginner to advanced level, at The Guild for Life Long Learning in Wilmslow.
It adds up to an extremely busy life centred around the Italian language and culture. So, what is it she finds so inspiring about teaching Italian? She doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“Empowering others with a new skill for life, whether it’s language or cooking”, Anna Maria affirmed. “Watching students light up as they embrace Italian culture is my favourite part.”
Fun Facts
- Favourite Dish: Polenta with porcini mushrooms, truffles, and parmigiano reggiano
- Passions: Antique furniture restoration and whipping up a mean tiramisu.
- Languages Spoken: Italian, English, and some German, Spanish, French, Urdu and Punjabi.
- Guilty Pleasure: Playing records to unwind – and occasionally to annoy her kids!
With Anna Maria, Italian is more than a language. It’s a journey – one you can embark on, regardless of your age or current proficiency level (or lack of).
At la Academia, we offer a range of inspiring group and 1:1 learning options, from getting a basic grip of the Italian language for a forthcoming holiday to full-on fluency for business. Get in touch and prepare to learn, laugh, and maybe even try your hand at making your own pasta along the way.