The Intrepid Guide | Intrepid Italian with Michele Opiniões 11

I joined Intrepid Italian after I had spent 3 months on a popular language-learning app and realized I still didn’t know how to ask for the bathroom. I started with Italian for Travel and ended up completing A1, A2, B1, several verb challenges, and am now embarking on B2. The structure works, the self-paced with lifetime access works, and the progress is real.

Even though it’s online, Michele is more available than many “in person” teachers I’ve had. She’s also incredibly supportive of different learning needs — including neurodivergent students, people who need printable/“paper” versions, and non-binary learners navigating a very gendered language. That alone makes a huge difference.

It’s the best of both worlds: Michele deeply understands where English speakers get stuck in Italian, while also working with native speakers who model pronunciation and the flow of real Italian.

If you’ve been circling Italian for a while, or feel stuck in an app, this program is the bridge. I am so glad I found Michele!

I purchased online book in now distant 2025.
The woman owner of business charged my card, and has never shipped it or got back to me on my repetitive e-s.
We got that sorted out- Michele has replied and instructed me on how to d- ld. her onln. book.

With Michele guiding you with her effusive and engaging style, it was an instant win for me. I had been trawling YouTube, FaceBook, and Instagram, using apps and self teach literature with little real hope of improving my basic Italian without a LOT of slog through ground I had already covered, but worried that if I skipped over the basics, I might miss something I hadn't encountered before.
I decided to give Michele's self paced courses on Tenses and Verbs a try. They are called 30 day challenges, but being self paced, you can easily fit them in around your life and ability. They also give lifetime access, so there really is no rush. I'm on "day" 12 of the verb challenge, 2 months after having gained access and I love that not only do you get the grammar, a brief passage with the newly learned content, and some straightforward exercises, but there's also example sentences and where appropriate, there are idiomatic phrases. There's also a PDF lesson sheet with full translation of the passage, which is completely in Italian and even imparts some background knowledge of the Italian way of life and expectations.
If you want to do more than wander around the tourist attractions and follow guided tours, pointing and gesturing to interact in shops, give Michele's modules and 80/20 method a try to target your desired learning goals, and you can't help but gain more than the courses provide as you pick up the little vocabulary and usage extras on the way. Suddenly you start to THINK in Italian and feel confident speaking it and talking to locals. Exchanging information. In Ravenna, I picked up tips from a trader on how to improve my panzanella by avoiding common pitfalls. That's only one recent incident that might not have happened had it not been for the confidence gained by following Michele's course and other video snippets.
I still use other methods to add to my knowledge, but after nearly two decades I feel I am truly expanding my understanding and comprehension rather than going over and over the same ground.
Forza Michele! Brava, e grazie mille!

Two years ago I decided to start studying Italian. I researched many options/styles and purchased The Intrepid Guide - Intrepid Italian for Travel to build a solid foundation on which to grow. The teaching style was a great match for me: self paced, clear, simplified with efficient explanations and quizzes to test my learning. After quickly absorbing some basics I bought the Italian bundle package (A1, A2, B1) to continue my progress. My husband's family lives in Italy and I was inspired to have an authentic connection; to learn more about them and their culture.

After just a few months, using Michele's 80/20 method I was able to have simple conversations with my husband's family. My many hours of studying combined with implementing my new language skills through real life conversation bolstered my motivation and commitment to learning. Fast forward to today I am now working through the B2 course. I speak Italian every day with my husband's relatives, experiencing tradition and life through their eyes. I am also able to read Italian newspapers and discuss local topics. Along the way, during my vacations in Italy I have also established many friendships and keep in regular contact with these kind and sweet Italians. A few weeks ago during Thanksgiving one family even flew to visit me and I got to show them around my city, taking them to a restaurant with Italian opera singers, a lively Christmas market and other special places. It felt like a dream!

Studying, learning, reading and speaking Italian are now part of my daily routine. I participate in conversation groups and am able to help and push others forward in their language journey. All of this was made possible by the courses I cherish through The Intrepid Guide and Michele's excellent teaching techniques. I will be forever grateful!

Auguro a tutti il meglio nel loro percorso di apprendimento delle lingue!
Sognare in italiano,
Amanda

I LOVE the Intrepid Guide course if for any other reason, because IT WORKS! *(and believe me, I have tried them all). My goal was to learn enough Italian in a few months time so I could get around- ask for things, directions, greetings, make myself understood, even if I was just using a few words - call it “survival Italian.” I stumbled across Michele’s course, and she was explaining the 80/20 theory. And it works. Think about it, if you speak English and someone who spoke another language came up to you to ask for something, with just a few words you would certainly understand them, even if they were not fully conversational or even use full sentences– and the same goes for EVERY language. And that is what I learned from the first level of Michele’s course. It’s particularly useful because she applies the 80/20 method to the most common situations you will encounter on a trip.
When my wife and I went on our first trip to Rome, I used the same few words and sentences the entire time and it worked great! Such an excellent base to build on when I returned to take Michele’s more advanced course which is laid out in a logical and easy to follow program. I am also A LOT more confident just trying to say things in Italian than I was at the start.
Last but certainly not least, so many of the courses give you all the love and personal attention right up until you pay for it – then crickets. But not with Michele. You can email her to ask about anything you don’t understand, and she PERSONALLY gets back to you.
I can’t say enough about this course.

Billy Cicchino
New Jersey, USA

I tried Duolingo before and found it wasn’t really effective in learning conversation Italian. I really didn’t need to know the word for cow. Michele’s course was perfect for me. The course was concise in teaching me key words and phrases to connect with locals while traveling. The course is well written and organized. It was well worth the money. What are you waiting for? Andiamo

I’d like to share how much I have enjoyed Michele’s very effective teaching. Michele is warm and engaging and her enthusiasm for the language really shines through. I took her 30-Day Verb Challenge and now I know how to conjugate 150 verbs and understand the contexts in which these verbs are appropriate. Then I got Michele's Italian for travel course, as my husband and I were planning yet another holiday in beautiful Italy. Both have really helped, as have her excellent free lessons on youtube. We got on so well with Michele’s courses that we decided to go for a full month of language training this past September in Turin. We were placed at the Advanced Beginner A2 level and did really well, having started with Michele.

Make for an enjoyable, practical, and well-paced online learning experience. Michele's social media presence, and personalized emails add interest and motivation.

I love Michele’s courses. They help to explain a complex language. The online format is convenient.

I got a jumpstart on the Italian language with an online tutor before coming to Italy in 2021 to at least get a feel for the language. Then Michele, creator of Intrepid Italian, showed up in my Instagram feed. One click and I was hooked. After watching a short video, I realized that her 80/20 method was how I needed to learn and understand the language. Her lessons, challenges and explanations are organized, clear and precise leaving me wanting more. I (and others) can definitely see my progression with each course. The best part is that you have lifetime access. Any questions or concerns, Michele is always there to help. I am forever grateful for this wonderful find.

A few years ago while planning a trip to Italy, I decided I had better invest a little time in trying to learn the language. The Intrepid Guide became my teacher of choice.
I found Michelle to be an excellent teacher and her course to be fun and helpful and Very responsive to any of questions.
While on the trip we got lost a couple of times and words and phrases I had learned sure come in handy to get ourselves back on the road and in the right direction.
Even having a bit of knowledge on the language goes a long way when dealing with shopkeepers or just trying to make conversation with locals. They see your learning but appreciate you trying.