Coffee Break Italian

Welcome to Season 2 of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries for intermediate learners. While it's not so easy to travel right now, why not do some virtual travelling with us? In this 10-episode series, we follow the adventures of Simone and his wife Anna as they enjoy una settimana bianca (a white week of winter activities) in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. In Episode 1, Simone and Anna m...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, qual è la tua città italiana preferita? - What is your favourite Italian city? You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our Coffee Break Ital...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, qual è la cosa più strana che hai mai mangiato? - what's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, se potessi andare in qualsiasi posto del mondo, dove andresti? - if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, cosa ti fa arrabbiare?  (What makes you angry?)Do you prefer summer or winter?. You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our Coffee Brea...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, preferisci l’estate o l’inverno?  Do you prefer summer or winter?. You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our Coffee Break Italian To...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question, pensi che sia importante studiare le lingue straniere? Do you think that studying foreign languages is important?. You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed be...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question,  cos’hai fatto ieri?  (What did you do yesterday?). You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our Coffee Break Italian To Go intervi...

In this episode of Coffee Break Italian To Go, Francesca asks the question,   qual è la tua parola italiana preferita?  (What is your favourite Italian word?). You can use the answers of our interviewees to help you answer this question in Italian and Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Our Co...

Welcome to the second episode of our new Coffee Break Italian To Go podcast in which we’re in Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, with Francesca, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question  com’è la tua giornata tipica? (What is your daily routine?). We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Francesca out and about, while Mark is back i...

Welcome to the first episode of our new Coffee Break Italian To Go podcast in which we’re in Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, with Francesca, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question  per te è importante viaggiare? (Is travelling important to you?) We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Francesca out and about, while Mark is bac...

Every 30th September, the podcasting world comes together to celebrate podcasting on International Podcast Day. We're celebrating today by saying thank you to the Coffee Break community in this special podcast episode. International Podcast Day aims to raise awareness about podcasts and gives podcast creators and listeners a chance to celebrate the medium and the podcast industry. But podcast...

Our virtual journey through Tuscany is coming to an end! Join Giulia and Paolo in the tenth and final episode of this series of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries as they round off their trip by the sea in the beautiful coastal town of Piombino. Listen to the episode to hear what they get up to and look out for some interesting vocabulary as well as a discussion about the structure da passare...

After taking some time to rest his ankle, Paolo is ready to move on to the penultimate stop on their journey:  l’Abbazia di San Galgano.  The pair take the time to explore the roofless walls of the 13th-century Abbey church and even see the famous  spada nella roccia ! Mark and Francesca also discuss when to use  pronto a  and  pronto per,  as well a s ...

Following an unexpected trip to the hospital in last week's episode, Giulia and Paolo continue their journey as they drive through the beautiful countryside of The Val d'Orcia and find the perfect spot for a picnic. In this eighth episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries, we'll learn some interesting new vocabulary as well as the difference between the verbs godersi and divertirsi. Andia...

It's time for the next stop on our Italian adventure! Giulia and Paolo enjoy a trip to the famous spa in Saturina when all of a sudden things take a turn and they end up in hospital. Tune in to Episode 7 to find out what happens and don't forget to listen out for the subjunctive in the text! Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to acces...

In the latest episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries, Giulia and Paolo leave Siena and head to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson notes and a video version which features pauses after each sentence to allow you to practise your pronunciation, check out the full cour...

Welcome back to the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries! Find out what Giulia and Paolo get up to when they finally reach Siena in this week's episode. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson notes and a video version which features pauses after each sentence to allow you to practise your pronunciation, check out the full...

Join Giulia and Paolo in the latest episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries as they venture through the beautiful area of Tuscany. This week, find out how a problem on their train to Siena leads to an unexpected afternoon in the Valle del Chianti. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson notes and a video version...

Welcome back to the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries! This week, Giulia and Paolo take the train from Lucca to Florence and experience some new adventures. Find out what they get up to in this latest episode. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson notes and a video version which features pauses after each sentence to a...

In our second episode of the Coffee Break Italian Travel Diaries, join Giulia and Paolo as they travel on towards Lucca. We'll accompany them for some lunch and the resulting abbiocco - that sleepy feeling you get after a delicious meal. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson notes and a video version which features pause...

Welcome to this brand new series from Coffee Break Italian for intermediate learners. While it's not so easy to travel right now, why not do some virtual travelling with us? Join Giulia and her friend Paolo as they travel by train through the beautiful region of Tuscany in Italy. In this first episode they have just arrived in Pisa and we'll hear about their plans for their trip. Travel Diaries wi...

Often described as "the other Italian national pastime" (in addition to il calcio , football) cycling is huge in Italy. In this final episode of this season of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine, we take a closer look at the sport which is one of the most practised and watched in the country. In response to listener Nicole's question, Francesca explains the interesting word infatti and how, in fact...

By the time you've listened to this episode you'll have l'acquolina in bocca - your mouth will be watering! Francesca shares a recipe for the rice dish panissa which involves beans, onion, Italian sausage and Arborio rice, and there's a question from listener Donna who is confused about the difference between the verbs potere and riuscire . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the C...

In this episode of the Coffee Break Magazine we're heading to the north of Italy to the town of Ivrea, known for its peculiar way of celebrating Carnevale. Our listener's question in this episode comes from Zack and concerns the tricky word mica which seems to pepper the conversation of native speakers, but is difficult to use as a learner. There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the C...