Yo Poznan!
At Poznań Daily, we’re always on the hunt for the next best thing — and lately, one question keeps popping up in our inbox: “Do you know any Italians who can actually teach us Italian?”
Well, lucky for you, we know quite a few Italians (this city is basically a Vespa away from feeling like Milan), but there’s only one we’ll recommend if you want to learn real Italian. And when we say real, we mean the kind where you don’t just order a pizza, you order it with the right accent — and maybe even argue about pineapple like a true Neapolitan.
Enter Gerardo Santaniello. Honestly, could his name sound any more Italian? We reached out to Gerardo, and let’s just say he’s the full package: teacher, storyteller, and — wait for it — pizza dough wizard.
From Campania to Poznań (with a few pit stops)
Gerardo grew up in Campania, just outside Naples, where cooking is basically a religion. Everyone in his family whipped up food like it was second nature, so he got the good stuff baked into him early.
But here’s the twist: before he was teaching Italian, Gerardo was knee-deep in psychology, neuroscience, and even theatre therapy. He studied in Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid, picked up a PhD along the way, taught at universities, and then thought: “Why not do something completely different?” (Classic Italian plot twist.)
Fast forward to late 2021, Gerardo landed in Poland, started teaching Italian, and — because life without pizza is not life at all — began perfecting the art of Neapolitan dough. Pro tip: his first attempts were so bad even Italians wouldn’t have recognized them as pizza, but hey, practice makes perfect. Now? He’s got the dough game on lock.
What’s a Lesson Like?
Forget boring textbooks and robotic grammar drills. Gerardo’s lessons mix Italian with food, culture, cinema, and even philosophy (if you’re feeling fancy). Beginners can stick to the basics, but advanced students end up debating Netflix series, novels, and whether Fellini was a genius or just dramatic.
He teaches both individuals and small groups (max four people, so no hiding in the back row). Lessons are usually online, but if you’re lucky, you might score an in-person session — or bump into him at one of the Italian events he organizes in Poznań.
Prices? Totally fair considering his credentials. Individual classes start at 110 PLN, while group classes are 150 PLN a month. Not bad for unlocking la dolce vita.
The Pizza Bonus
Here’s where it gets fun: if you ask nicely, Gerardo will teach you how to make pizza from scratch. Yes, he runs pizza workshops, and yes, we’ve already booked our spot. Expect a full Poznań Daily pizza report soon — unless we eat all the evidence before taking photos (no promises).
Ready to Start?
Whether it’s Italian grammar or pizza dough, Gerardo teaches you how to do it right. Start with a language lesson or two, and who knows — maybe by summer you’ll be living your own bella vita right here in Poznań.
If you’re itching to throw around “ciao bella” like a pro, Gerardo is your guy.
