I am a teacher.
'Insegnante' = een-seh-NYAN-teh — four syllables. Stress on the third: een-seh-NYAN-teh.
State your profession after name, age, and origin in most introduction sequences. In Italian culture, profession is an important identity marker that shapes how conversations develop.
In Italian, no article is used before a profession after 'essere': 'sono insegnante,' not 'sono un insegnante.' This is a key grammar point — dropping the article is correct and natural when describing your job with 'essere'.
Lavoro come insegnante.
I work as a teacher.
'Lavorare come' + profession — another standard structure, slightly more specific.
Faccio l'insegnante.
I work as a teacher.
'Fare + article + profession' is extremely common in spoken Italian.
Insegno italiano alle medie.
I teach Italian at middle school.
The verb 'insegnare' directly — adds context about what and where you teach.
Teaching is a respected but underpaid profession in Italy. Teachers ('professori') hold social prestige especially in academic subjects. Being called 'professore' is a mark of respect even outside school.