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 interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here to watch , and we’d love to hear y...
Oct 30, 2020•25 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 Coffee Break Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here to...
Oct 23, 2020•19 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed...
Oct 16, 2020•24 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were fil...
Oct 09, 2020•24 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 podcasting has been around for a lot longer than that! Back in 2004, broadcaster Adam Curry asked developer...
Sep 30, 2020•5 min
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 and an example of the pronoun ci. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes we...
Aug 07, 2020•23 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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 the use of the direct object pronoun lo. Travel Diaries will be published in one season of te...
Jul 31, 2020•26 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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. Andiamo! Travel Diaries will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd li...
Jul 24, 2020•22 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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 access lesson notes and a video version which features pauses after each sentence to allow you to practis...
Jul 17, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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 course on the Coffee Break Academy . At Coffee Break Italian we provide content for beginners, intermedi...
Jul 10, 2020•26 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 course on the Coffee Break Academy . At Coffee Break Italian we provide content for beginners, inter...
Jul 03, 2020•20 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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 which features pauses after each sentence to allow you to practise your pronunciation, check out th...
Jun 26, 2020•23 min•Season 4Ep. 4
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 allow you to practise your pronunciation, check out the full course on the Coffee Break Academy . At ...
Jun 19, 2020•23 min•Season 4Ep. 3
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 pauses after each sentence to allow you to practise your pronunciation, check out the full course on the ...
Jun 12, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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 will be published in one season of ten episodes weekly from 5th June. If you'd like to access lesson n...
Jun 05, 2020•21 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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, it isn't always the correct choice for translating "in fact"! This episode marks the end of Season...
Nov 04, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 10
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 Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcripts, vocabulary li...
Oct 21, 2019•33 min•Season 3Ep. 9
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 Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcripts, vocabulary li...
Oct 07, 2019•35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
... e tanta voglia di futuro . The city of Matera in the Basilicata region of Italy celebrates an incredibly rich heritage, with the word famous Sassi, cave dwellings carved into the mountainside, and looks to the future with the redevelopment of these caves into museums and hotels. In 2019, together with the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, Matera has been named European Capital of Culture. In this episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine Francesca tells us more about Matera, and there's a questi...
Sep 23, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 7
It's time for a new episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine and in this episode Francesca and Mark talk about their summer breaks and where they travelled to. The text for this episode focuses on the traditional Italian dance, la Tarantella , and there's an interesting question from listener Gianna on the difference between restare and rimanere . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcripts, vo...
Sep 09, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 6
We're heading to the kitchen for this episode and learning about the popular pasta dish, le orecchiette. Mark and Francesca also discuss their recent trip to Milan and Stresa to film some content for the forthcoming Coffee Break Italian To Go video series. There's also an explanation of how to translate "some" into Italian, based on a listener's question. After this episode we're taking a break and we'll be back with the next episode of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine in August. There will be ...
Jul 01, 2019•31 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode Francesca and Mark discuss one of Italy's most famous authors, Italo Calvino. Calvino's work can be read on many levels, and as a result of the type of language used, his books are very accessible for learners of Italian. In our Q&A segment, Francesca explains the difference between stare and essere . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcripts, vocabulary lists and exercises, y...
Jun 17, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In episode 3 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine we're heading to the north of Italy to find out more about the Walser Community. In addition we'll be looking at the best way to move from using Lei to using tu when you're getting to know someone. There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcripts, vocabulary lists and exercises, you can access the premium version of the Magazine on the Coffee Break Acade...
Jun 03, 2019•31 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode we're heading south to the region of Puglia and, more specifically, to the area known as Il Gargano. Known for its crystalline waters and golden beaches, there is much to see and do in Il Gargano. Find out more in the episode. Francesca and Mark also have some advice on how to learn vocabulary, based on Tricia's question. The episode concludes with a scioglilingua - a tongue twister - which will help you practise the 'gl' sound in Italian. There will be a total of 10 episodes in ...
May 20, 2019•30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The Coffee Break Italian team is back with a new series, the Coffee Break Italian Magazine. In each episode of this 10-lesson season for intermediate learners you can build your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar and learn to use the Italian language in a more natural way. This series follows on from Seasons 1 and 2 of Coffee Break Italian. There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 1 of the Coffee Break Italian Magazine. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, transcript...
May 06, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 1
And so our series, and our soap opera, reach their conclusion and we're delighted to bring you episode 40 of Coffee Break Italian Season 2. In this episode you'll enjoy the finale of La Mia Estate and, as ever, Mark and Francesca are on hand to help you understand everything. We hope you've enjoyed this second season of Coffee Break Italian! This season of Coffee Break Italian features a total of 40 episodes. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, bonus audio recordings and video versions o...
Jan 28, 2019•27 min•Season 2Ep. 40
In the previous instalment of La Mia Estate which featured in episode 38 of Coffee Break Italian, we left our characters at a dramatic point. In episode 39, it's time to see if the night of Ferragosto will help to thaw relations and if the stars finally align for Riccardo and Maria - and for Giorgio and Mia! As usual Francesca and Mark are on hand to discuss the language contained in the episode. This season of Coffee Break Italian features a total of 40 episodes. If you'd lik...
Jan 14, 2019•32 min•Season 2Ep. 39
In this episode of Coffee Break Italian, the big day has arrived, La Notte di San Lorenzo . Mia, Anna and Giorgio are full of expectations for the romance of the evening ahead and hope that it will be the perfect opportunity for Maria and Riccardo to get together. Not only that, but Mark and Francesca are joined by a very special guest in the introduction to this episode... This season of Coffee Break Italian features a total of 40 episodes. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, bonus audi...
Dec 17, 2018•24 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In the latest lesson of Coffee Break Italian, it's the day of preparation for the famous Notte di San Lorenzo , and it's all hands on deck at the campsite. This episode provides further practice of direct object pronouns, and we'll also learn the verb servire which is used in a similar way to piacere . As usual, Francesca and Mark are on hand to explain everything. This season of Coffee Break Italian features a total of 40 episodes. If you'd like to benefit from lesson notes, bonus audio recordi...
Dec 03, 2018•28 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In the latest lesson of Coffee Break Italian we're listening to episode 6 of our soap opera, La Mia Estate . Riccardo and Maria seem to be getting on well, much to the surprise of Mia, Anna and Giorgio, and Riccardo has some exciting news regarding his search for a house. The episode provides an opportunity to look further into imperatives and there is more practice of the pronouns ci and ne , and how they affect different verbs. This season of Coffee Break Italian featur...
Nov 19, 2018•27 min•Season 2Ep. 36
