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•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast ... 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•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast It's time for a new episode of Coffee Break Italian, and the latest episode of our soap opera, La Mia Estate . In this instalment Riccardo and Maria are on their way to Vipiteno, but they end up missing the train. Is this a recipe for disaster, or is it the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other a little better? As ever, the episode is rich in complex grammar and useful vocabulary, and Mark and Francesca discuss everything to help you build your language skills. This season of Co...
Nov 05, 2018•30 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast In this latest episode of Coffee Break Italian, join Francesca and Mark for the fourth instalment of our Italian soap opera, La Mia Estate. Preparations are underway for a summer concert at the campsite and Mia, Anna and Giorgio are busy putting the final arrangements in place. Even Riccardo and Maria seem to be getting on well, but things don't go quite as smoothly at the concert. In additional to lots of useful Italian expressions and vocabulary, you'll also learn a little about the subjunctiv...
Oct 22, 2018•34 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast In lesson 33 of Coffee Break Italian Season 2 you'll hear the latest instalment of our Italian soap opera, La Mia Estate . Mia is now fully involved at the campsite, helping Anna and Giorgio, and in this episode Mia's father, Riccardo, gets to know Anna's mother, Maria, a little more. From a grammatical point of view, this episode introduces some examples of various types of pronoun. As usual, Mark and Francesca are on hand to explain everything. This season of Coffee Break Italian feature...
Oct 08, 2018•29 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast In lesson 32 of Coffee Break Italian Season 2 you'll listen to the second instalment in our Italian soap opera, La Mia Estate . Mia and her father are now on their way to Italy and in this episode they arrive in Verona where they're met by Mia's friend Anna and her mother, before heading to the campsite in Trento. The episode includes some examples of new grammar points, and Francesca and Mark are there to explain everything. This season of Coffee Break Italian features a total of 40 episodes. I...
Sep 24, 2018•34 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast We're back with another lesson of Coffee Break Italian, and in lesson 31 we're presenting the first episode of our Italian soap opera, La Mia Estate . You'll meet three of our characters: Mia, her friend Anna, and her overprotective father Riccardo. In each of the ten episodes of La Mia Estate , you'll be hearing Italian in context and you'll be able to build your knowledge and confidence, and Francesca and Mark are on hand to help you understand everything. This season of Coffee Break Italian f...
Sep 10, 2018•30 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast 
