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 hear our ciliegina sulla torta . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 2 of the Coffee...
Jul 21, 2022•30 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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 venire instead of essere; nonostante + subjunctive; and the irregular noun u...
Jul 07, 2022•33 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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 vocabulary relevant to this topic, such as Medioevo , grotta and roccia . To finish, we share an interestin...
Jun 23, 2022•24 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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 crescere in the past using both auxiliaries. Be sure to listen until the end so that you hear our Ciliegi...
Jun 09, 2022•27 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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 round off the episode by explaining the following expression: Forza e coraggio, che dopo aprile viene ...
May 26, 2022•31 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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 torta which is a saying including the word lenticchie . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season...
May 12, 2022•26 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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; adjectives ending in - issimo/a (absolute superlative); as well as some interesting vocabulary like...
Apr 28, 2022•24 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 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/privacy for more information....
Apr 04, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 'experience' this language in the context of a dialogue. Please note that Coffee Break Italian Season 3...
Oct 21, 2021•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 verbs volerci and andarsene , the irregular noun mani and the verb mancare in the future tense. ...
Apr 16, 2021•24 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 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 podcast episodes will be published weekly from 12th February. However, if you would like to binge the en...
Apr 09, 2021•21 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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 phrases such as che meraviglia! and per niente. The podcast episodes will be published weekly from ...
Apr 02, 2021•22 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast 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 will be published weekly from 12th February. However, if you would like to binge the entire season then...
Mar 26, 2021•23 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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 weekly from 12th February. However, if you would like to binge the entire season then you can acces...
Mar 19, 2021•20 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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 February. However, if you would like to binge the entire season then you can access all 10 episodes ...
Mar 12, 2021•30 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Francesca will be on hand to explain the language featured in this episode. The podcast episodes will be pu...
Mar 05, 2021•25 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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 vocabulary such as funivia and tetti a punta , and discuss the difference between mattina and mattinat...
Feb 26, 2021•28 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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 word muro, and the da + infinitive construction. The podcast episodes will be published weekly from ...
Feb 19, 2021•25 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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 make the most of their first day on the slopes. We hear lots of winter and skiing related vocabulary ...
Feb 12, 2021•21 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here to watch , and we...
Dec 11, 2020•18 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Coffee Break Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here ...
Dec 04, 2020•17 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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 filmed before lockdown. Our Coffee Break Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on ou...
Nov 27, 2020•20 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Break Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here to watch , ...
Nov 20, 2020•21 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Go interviews are also available as videos on our website. Click here to watch , and we’d love...
Nov 13, 2020•21 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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 before lockdown. Our Coffee Break Italian To Go interviews are also available as videos on our website...
Nov 06, 2020•30 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 
