Meet the Team
Discover the people behind The Language Kitchen and the experience they bring to English language learning and life in Liguria. Our aim is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where you can practise English naturally, build confidence and enjoy learning alongside other participants.
Siobhan Montgomery: Your English Language Coach
Siobhan Montgomery: Your English Language Coach
Siobhan Montgomery, co-founder of The Language Kitchen, is originally from London, England. She is a fully qualified English teacher and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the United Kingdom.
She also holds an LLB (Law degree) and an LLM (Master of Laws) from the University of London and spent 30 years working for the Council of Europe, where English and French were the languages of her daily professional life. More particularly, she worked within the Council of Europe’s Education Department, the area responsible for developing the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), now widely used internationally to describe language ability from A1 to C2. Her career in an international, multilingual environment gave her extensive experience of clear and effective communication across cultures.
For many years, she has helped learners from a wide range of backgrounds develop confidence and fluency in English. In addition to her native English, she speaks French, German and Italian, giving her first-hand understanding of both the challenges and the rewards of learning another language.
Her teaching approach is practical, supportive and communicative. Lessons are designed to help learners use English naturally and confidently, with plenty of opportunity to participate, practise and make progress in a relaxed and encouraging environment.
For learners with specific professional goals, Siobhan also offers tailor-made English courses focusing on international communication, professional writing, presentations, meetings and expressing ideas clearly and effectively in multicultural or international contexts. These specialist courses are available on request alongside the general English courses.
Her passion is to help people communicate naturally and confidently in English through engaging, practical experiences. She creates a warm, supportive, and authentic learning environment where every guest feels encouraged to participate, make progress, and enjoy the learning process.
For guests with specific professional goals, Siobhan can also design bespoke English courses focusing on international communication, professional writing, presentations, and expressing ideas clearly and effectively in multicultural or international contexts. Specialist English courses can be arranged on request and tailored to individual learning needs.
Massimo: The Heart of Italian Cuisine
Massimo brings more than thirty years of experience in hospitality, having managed successful B&Bs and restaurants in both Italy and Germany. Born and raised in Liguria, he has a deep knowledge of the region’s food, traditions and local way of life, and brings this experience and local perspective to The Language Kitchen.
One Team, One Unforgettable Experience
What makes our team special is the combination of two complementary areas of expertise. Siobhan is a qualified English teacher with many years of teaching experience, including work for the Council of Europe’s education department involved in the development of the CEFR. Massimo brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality, restaurant management and authentic Italian cuisine.
The English course is at the heart of The Language Kitchen. Siobhan leads the teaching and supports guests in developing their confidence and fluency through small-group lessons and plenty of opportunities to use English naturally. Massimo’s knowledge of Ligurian food and local life adds an authentic local dimension to the time guests spend here.
We believe that language learning becomes more memorable when English is used naturally beyond the classroom. Conversations, shared moments and everyday life in Liguria give guests plenty of opportunities to practise what they have learned while getting to know the people and culture of the area.