Yvonne Thalmann-Anderl
BA (hons) Dip.Ed. B.Litt. MA. (Applied Linguistics)
Teacher/Director
Yvonne, a graduate of the University of Melbourne, has been teaching Italian for over 25 years in secondary high schools and in private language institutes in Australia and overseas. She has lived and studied in Milano and Siena. Her special areas of interest in applied linguistics, are language curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, and adult language learning strategies. She is an International Baccalaureate examiner/moderator for the higher and standard Italian oral exam and collaborates with a number of schools in preparing VCE students for the oral exams. In 2013 she presented an analysis and critique of a CLIL language programme and led a discussion on evaluation criteria for oral exams at the University for Foreigners in Siena and she is in contact with authors of the textbook Affresco Italiano providing them with student and teacher feedback.
Yvonne is immensely passionate about Italian literature, cinema and opera which she enjoys sharing with her students. She enjoys exploring regional Italian culinary traditions, but prefers to leave the cooking to her husband.
Claudia Scotellaro
Claudia is a dedicated educator with a deep-rooted passion and appreciation for Italian culture. As the teacher responsible for the delivery of the Montessori School children’s program, Claudia is keen to foster and encourage a love for the Italian language from an early age. Her adult classes are both innovative and interesting making language learning enjoyable.
Claudia is also involved in organizing various cultural activities which bring together Italians and Australians through shared experiences. She is also a writer for Segmento, an Italo-Australian cultural magazine which aims to bring Italy’s rich heritage to a wider reading audience. As part of the Vivilocal team, Claudia organizes Italian cultural and study tours to Italy which focus on engaging with Italian locals and their culture.
Eva Perricone
Eva is a psychotherapist specializing in Organizational Psychology and consequently she brings a unique approach to teaching and learning languages.
Her focus is on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for students. Eva is also the owner of an agriturismo which embodies the spirit of sustainability as well as farm to table dining, nestled in the beauty of the Sicilian countryside and not far from the enchanting baroque town of Noto. Eva is also involved in organizing conversations classes and is actively involved in Italian cultural initiatives in Melbourne.