About Us

We offer our members English language courses from beginner to advanced level and also a series of cultural, social and personal well-being activities – all in English. In a world where technology seems to be taking over, we offer the possibility to be in touch with the usual social media but our mission is also to create an English-speaking educational and social learning community where learning is linked to personal growth and potentiality and development of relationships. We focus on our students as individuals with their own personal worth, motivations, ambitions and needs relative to the English language. As such we give them the opportunity not only to learn the language: speaking, writing, reading, listening, good pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, but also to participate in other activities in English – yoga and Pilates, book clubs, theatre, cinema, cookery courses, themed lunches and dinners and specially-designed tours.

Meet The Team

Shi Vani

Shivani is an English teacher who has a public sector experience having worked for the community with vulnerable people and minority groups. She has worked for two diverse English Language Schools in Rome and has prepared students to take Cambridge Certificate exams and supported them in preparing for university courses, job interviews and other professional and personal language goals. She has also taught English within a community arts centre to adults and children. She is interested in yoga and the arts and has a degree in Politics and a Masters Diploma in Criminology.

Nikola Newiger

Nikola holds a master’s degree in economics from the UK and has gained over 24 years management experience in multinationals in the telecommunications sector. She speaks Italian, German and French. She currently teaches English as a second language to children of various ages and levels. She assists children with special educational needs at St. George’s British International School of Rome. She is originally from Berlin but has lived in Italy most of her life. She loves to travel, practice yoga and is an active member of the Casalpalocco Retake group.

Melissa Buckley

Originally from the USA, Melissa studied and earned her degree in Medical Science. However, her passion for travelling and culture, drew her towards international employment with the French Resort Company Club Mediterranee’. After years living and working in exotic locations all over the world, she transferred to NYC as a buyer for the CM Resorts Boutiques. Love and marriage brought her to Italy in 1998, where she raised her family in a bi-lingual home. She has been teaching English as a second language to both adults and children at all levels, for the past 10 years. She is an avid oil painter, enjoys outdoor sports, tennis, skiing, hiking, photography, cooking, researching genealogy, has a great passion for movies, travel and art.

Vittoria Pinca

Vittoria is an English and Spanish interpreter and translator as well as a certified teacher of English as a foreign language (TEFL). She has multiyear experience teaching to adults, teens, and kids having worked in a bilingual primary school in Rome where she taught all curricular subjects in English and prepared students for Cambridge exams.
She is also consultant at FAO and gender focal point in a non-profit organization that she has recently founded and has a background working as project research assistant in Italian universities and international research centers.

Elisabeth Schalleschak

Elisabeth has a history and fine arts degree and has worked in Austria, Florida, Mexico and Spain. She is a busy mother of three children and a licensed tour guide in Austria and Rome, where she has been working as a guide and Tour Director since 1997. Elisabeth has devised a fascinating series of tours for The English Tree, combining history, hidden secrets and stories about the Eternal City.

Genevieve Gnudi-Bergemann

Gen is a native English speaker, living in and, from South Africa. With Italian heritage, the allure of Italy led her to complete a veterinary nursing course in Rome in 2022. Being a certified teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), she taught English to children in China for 6 months in 2017. Gen had the opportunity to work with The English Tree at the WWF Summer Camps in 2022 & 2023 and will continue to provide her support for the next seasons.
Gen is a marine enthusiast and veterinary nurse. She enjoys immersion in nature, all things Italian, and plays capoeira & poi.

Our Friends

Southlands International School

We supply English courses for parents of pupils of all nationalities at Southlands, one of the most recognized and long-standing international schools in Rome
http://www.southlands.it/

Feltrinelli International

Our members will receive 10% discount on all scholastic books when they show The English Tree card
http://www.lafeltrinelli.it

PilatesLab

PilatesLab has specifically designed a Pilates & Stretching Workout in English for The English Tree members
http://www.pilateslab.fitness/

Arts in English

Quality musical theatre productions in English for an international audience
http://www.artsinenglish.it/

The English Theatre of Rome

A significant theatre platform for Italian and non-Italian directors, playwrights, and actors to showcase their talents within the Rome arts scene.
http://www.rometheatre.com/