Coffee Break Italian

In this episode of The Coffee Break Italian Show we are focusing on prepositions. By the end of this episode you will have learned five key rules to help you use 'a' and 'in' in Italian! ➡️ Click here to access the blog article and worksheet that accompany this lesson ⬅️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you like to perfect the pronunciation of double consonants - le doppie - in Italian? In this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Show we share some tips for mastering this phonetic feature to make you sound more Italian when you speak! ➡️ Click here to access the blog article and worksheet that accompany this lesson ⬅️ ☕️ To purchase a Coffee Break mug, click here ☕️ Hosted on Acast. See a...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Coffee Break Italian Show! Have you ever wondered whether to use 'tu' and 'Lei' when addressing someone in Italian? By the end of this episode, you'll sound more like a native speaker in your conversations! ➡️ Click here to access the blog article and worksheet that accompany this episode ⬅️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our brand new podcast series - the Coffee Break Italian Show! Throughout this 10-episode series, Mark, Francesca and Maurizio will help you take your intermediate Italian to the next level, one coffee break at a time. We cover a range of topics to help you deepen your understanding of tricky grammar, broaden your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation. You'll sound like a native spe...

We have reached the tenth and final episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine Season 2! We're stepping back in time as we're   discussing two   Renaissance events which take place in the region of Marche in May. Join Mark and Francesca one last time in this series as they explore masculine words ending in - a and qualche (some) and ogni (each) + singular nouns. That's n...

Welcome back to the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! This time, we’re talking about the origins of a well-known romantic tradition -  La Serenata.  While listening to a text about this ancient tradition, we learn about the following grammar points:  basta che  + subjunctive, the  ce n’è  structure, and how to use  il proprio  /  la propria  as an alt...

In this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine, we're talking about the Sibillini Mountains - a mountain chain in central Italy which includes a beautiful natural park. Join Mark and Francesca as they discuss a text highlighting what these impressive mountains have to offer while talking about some key vocabulary and grammar points including: si dice che + present or imperfect subjuncti...

The topic of this Coffee Break Italian Magazine episode is the life and work of Italy’s greatest poet and ‘father’ of the Italian language: Dante Alighieri.   We review various grammar points in this episode, including: the historical present, relative superlative adjectives, the passive with  venire  and  si passivante . Be sure to listen until the end of the episode to h...

Pandoro o Panettone?  That is the question Mark and Francesca are discussing in this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! While listening to a text about these traditional Italian Christmas cakes, take note of any new words or phrases you hear, such as  tanto che ,  dibattito infiammato  and  brevettare.  We also learn about the passive structures with ...

In this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine we're exploring a very special temple built inside a natural cave in the region of Marche. After hearing a text about this impressive piece or architecture, Mark and Francesca explain a variety of language points including: how to express nuances of colours; the present participle, and passive structures. We also encounter a range of new vocabul...

We're back with another episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! This time, the topic of our text is all about the first female Italian astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti! Join Mark and Francesca as they learn about her impressive life and work while discussing some interesting grammar points including: dopo + passive past infinitive; how the word ben is used before numbers; and the verb cresc...

Welcome to another episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! In this episode Mark and Francesca discuss how the 1st of May, also known as 'Labour Day' or 'May Day', is celebrated in Italy. After listening to a text about this celebration we take a closer look at the language covered, including the use of nessuno (no one) without a double negative and the use of infatti (in fact, indeed). We ro...

In this week's episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine we're heading to Castelluccio di Norcia , a village between the regions of Marche and Umbria in Central Italy. As we hear a text about this village, Mark and Francesca discuss the interesting language points along the way. We look at verbs requiring the addition of -isc- , superlative adjectives and then finish with our ciliegina sulla to...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine! Join our hosts Mark, Francesca and Silvia as they explore a range of cultural topics and grammar points to help you improve your language skills. In this episode we're talking about the famous 20th century Italian writer, Italo Svevo. We explore the language used in the text, including the use of the adjective grande before and after nouns;...

In this special episode, Mark provides an update on all things Coffee Break Italian including the return of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine in late April 2022; the launch of the Coffee Break books , available from June in your local bookshop and from online retailers; and the Coffee Break Italian Club , where you can get your daily dose of Italian activities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Siamo tornati! We're delighted to announce that, starting today, the 21st October 2021, Coffee Break Italian Season 3 is available. In this series you'll take your Italian to the next level, accompanied by your friendly teachers and hosts, Francesca and Mark. In each episode you'll learn about a language point and listen to Francesca and Mark explaining the aspects of the language. You'll then 'ex...

It's the 10th and final episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries Season 2 and Simone and Anna are rounding off their trip with a visit to the city of Trento before enjoying one last traditional lunch with  canederli , polenta, cheese, apple pie and bombardino . In between the food-related vocabulary featured in our final travel diary entry, Mark and Francesca discuss the pronominal...

In the penultimate episode of the series, Simone and Anna are on the move again as they are hiking up Marmolada - the highest mountain of the Dolomites. Mark and Francesca pick up on many interesting grammar points along the way and discuss: dopo + past infinitive, stare + gerund, and the pronoun ci , both as a direct object pronoun and a reflexive pronoun. Don't miss this useful episode! The podc...

In the latest episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries Season 2, Simone and Anna are in Cortina, one of the most popular ski destinations in the Dolomites, where they enjoy a trip to the spa. Join Mark and Francesca as they discuss the language featured in this episode, from relative pronouns and indirect object pronouns to demonstrative pronouns and more! We also hear some handy Italian...

Welcome back to Season 2 the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries! Having spent the night in the mountain retreat, Simone and Anna make their way down from the Le Tre Cime and encounter a deer on their way. Throughout Simone's diary entry, we hear a range of useful verbs including affrontare and scivolare , as well as some new idioms. Listen to the episode to find out more! The podcast episodes wil...

In Episode 6 of the Coffee Break Travel Diaries Season 2, Simone and Anna finally reach the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and make the most of the view before having lunch at a mountain retreat while enjoying a bombardino . There's much more food-related vocabulary in this episode as well as some interesting grammar points which Mark and Francesca explore.   The podcast episodes will be published...

We're halfway through our trip to the mountains in northern Italy, and this time, we're joining Anna and Simone for some ice skating on Lago di Dobbiaco after an unexpected detour changes their plan for the day. All’idea di, tanto che and per sicurezza are just some of the useful phrases which Mark and Francesca discuss in this episode. The podcast episodes will be published weekly from 12th...

We're back with another episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries! This time, Simone and Anna are visiting the village of Ortisei where they go sledging and enjoy a traditional dinner with canederli . Listen out for a range of adjectives mentioned in this diary entry, including  accogliente, fiabesco and innevato . As always, Coffee Break Italian hosts, Mark and Frances...

It's time for another episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries, and this time, Simone and Anna head to Bolzano, the capital of Italy's northernmost region of South Tyrol. Here, they explore the market and taste polenta for the first time, before taking the cable car to the mountains to enjoy the view of the snow-capped city. Mark and Francesca pick up on some interesting vo...

Welcome back to another episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries. This week, Simone and Anna are taking a break from skiing to visit the medieval castle above the town of Thun where they have a frightful encounter with a ghost! Listen out for the useful grammar points which Mark and Francesca discuss in this episode, including the indirect object pronoun ci , the irregular plural of the...