Coffee Break Italian

Coffee Break Italian

Introducing Coffee Break Italian To Go

Welcome to our new series, Coffee Break Italian To Go! If you’ve been working through the lessons of Season 1 or Season 2 of our podcast or online course, then you’re ready to “take your Italian on the road”, and you can do exactly that with the help of Francesca. In our first series, Francesca

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.10 | Adesso pedala!

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.09 | La Ricetta di Francesca

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.08 | A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.07 | Amore per il passato…

… 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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.06 | Ti viene voglia di ballare?

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.05 | Cuciniamo le Orecchiette

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.04 | Leggiamo un po’

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.

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.03 | La Comunità Walser

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.

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.02 | Il Gargano – la Perla della Puglia

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI Mag 1.01 | La Bocca della Verità

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.40 | Ognuno vivrà l’estate che aveva sognato

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.39 | Che scenetta romantica …

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.38 | Adesso, esprimi un desiderio!

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.37 | Chissà quali sorprese ci regaleranno le stelle!

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.36 | Incredibile, sembrano due piccioncini!

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.35 | La Mia Estate ep5 – Perché non ci diamo del tu?

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.34 | La Mia Estate ep4 – Dobbiamo escogitare un piano!

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

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.33 | La Mia Estate ep3 – Accipicchia! Che sbadato…

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,

Coffee Break Italian

CBI 2.32 | La Mia Estate ep2 – Sognare non costa niente!

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