Get ready! Hold on to your horses (or should I say your lance?) because I'm going to tell you about the Giostra del Saracino. This most thrilling and exciting event occurs in Arezzo every June and September! What is the Giostra del Saracino? It's a medieval jousting tournament that dates back to the 13th century, and it's held in the beautiful Piazza Grande, the heart of Arezzo's historic center. You can experience the Giostra del Saracino with me this year. Listen on! Ascolta bene ..read more

In a new podcast, I take to Ascoli Piceno, where I’m planning a new Italian Language Program this September. Here is a chance to meet some of the teachers and the school director with whom I am partnering this September to organize a small group Italian language program in le March in the town of Ascoli Piceno from September 11 - 23, 2022. We also go on a short walking tour with Antonella the director of the school. There are still openings available for the 2022 Ascoli Piceno Italian Language Program! Join us this September 2022 ..read more

Colorful Italian idioms that have to do with animals. Italian expressions to help make your conversation more lively and make you sound more like an Italian native. For the written transcript visit the StudentessaMatta.com blog. http://www.studentessamatta.com/moglie-buoi-dei-paesi-tuoi-italian-idioms-modi-di-dire/ Want to immerse in Italian language and culture, join me in September in Arezzo for a small group language program. Details on the Studentessa Matta blog: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo ..read more

Buon Anno 2018! Ways to say Happy New Year in Italian and chatting about the past year and what is happening my Matta world coming in 2018. Trips, travels, Italians studies, Novels about Italy, and an Italian New Year poem by Gianni Rodari. Translations on the Matta blog at http://www.studentessamatta.com/benvenuto-2018-italian-new-year-greetings ..read more

Recently I published a novel about Italy called “Dreaming Sophia.” In this podcast I share with the Tutti Matti Italian listeners an interview I conducted with Sheri Hoyt for “Inside Book Scoop Live”. In this book chat you will find out more about the book, my background, and the reasons for writing the novel. Buon ascolto! For more information about the book visit: www.DreamingSophiaBook.com Available for iBook  Available on Amazon: Print & Kindle ..read more

Discussion about two Italian synonyms Lasciare and Mollare. Both mean to let go. Idiomatic expressions and meanings when combined with other words. Short story about two frogs to help remember these two words. To read transcript visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/lasciare-mollare-significati-storia-rane-non-mollare-mai/ For more tips, tricks and helpful advice for learning Italian visit the Studentessa Matta blog. www.studentessamatta.com To view the Youtube video of this podcast visit the Studentessa Matta Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/c/StudentessaMatta_MelissaMuldoo https://www.y ..read more

Buon Natale e Benvenuti all'antico dibattito che spesso divide le famiglie italiane. Di che cosa sto parlando? Il dibattito tra servire Panettone o Pandoro a Natale. Happy Holidays! Welcome to the age-old debate that often splits Italian families. What am I talking about? The debate between serving Panettone or Pandoro during the holidays of course! For a transcription of this podcast visit http://www.studentessamatta.com/christmas-cake-battles-panettone-versus-pandoro/ Buone feste ..read more

Today we are going to the Arezzo’s Saturday market. There you can buy lots of things. The best would be the fresh food that you can buy there. There are so many things…peppers, squash blossoms, mushrooms, fruit and various kinds of meat and cheeses…but especially the porchetta. Come with us ..read more

My first novel “Dreaming Sophia” is here! I am thrilled and happy to share Sophia’s journey with my readers. The book is now available in print and e-pub versions for Kindle and iBook. You can find the book on Amazon and through many other distributors as well. The e-pub version of the book has links to the “Dreaming Sophia” website and Pinterest site, so that you can experience the book visually – see the art and images and videos – referred to in the book, as well as listen to the music. To win a copy of the book visit the Studentessa Matta website: http://www.studentessamatta.com/dreaming-s ..read more

The Studentessa Matta discusses 5 learning difficulties that many language students encounter and the things they can do to keep their "language learning" boats from faltering and sinking but instead keep their boats afloat, getting them back on track so they can continue full steam ahead!! Follow along with the Youtube Video with transcripts in both Italian and English on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website ..read more