February in Italy feels different. Even in small towns, you’ll see shop windows decorated with red hearts, handwritten notes, and phrases about love. But Valentine’s Day in Italy isn’t only about gifts — it’s about language. One of the first things my students ask me in February is:“How do Italians really say ‘I love you’?” The answer is simple, but important. In Italian, we have two main expressions: Ti amo – deep romantic love Ti voglio bene – affection, friendship, famil

One of the first things I notice when my students speak Italian is that their sentences stop too early. They know the words, but they don’t yet know how to connect them.