Italian gestures are fascinating and unique, as they convey emotions and thoughts through non-verbal communication in a way that is integral to the culture of Italy and adds vivid strokes of humor, passion, and expressiveness to conversations. In this (seldom NSFW!) article, we will explore some iconic Italian gestures, accompanied by visual aids and lighthearted commentary. Like many others in the Italian repertoire, all the gestures that we will present underscore the importance of context and the relationship between the participants to a conversation. Among friends, the use of evident ..read more

How often do you think about the Roman Empire? If you are studying Italian in Rome, the answer to this question can only be “every day”! As its name might suggest even to the less attentive, Rome was the center of its Empire, one of the world’s greatest superpowers, for hundreds of years, and that has left the Eternal City with an astonishing legacy of historical treasures. Places like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Circo Massimo, and the Caracalla Baths are some of the most visited historical sites in the world. They are essential to getting a better understanding of the history and de ..read more

This year, as the effects of COVID-19 and related countermeasures seem gradually fading, Italy is seeing a tremendous increase in bookings and reservations. People from all over the world look anxious to immerse themselves in the richness of Italian culture, enjoy its delectable cuisine, and embrace the linguistic appeal of the Italian language. If you are visiting Italy for your summer holidays and want to avoid embarrassing situations, we have what you’re looking for: a short survival guide to the most useful words and phrases for traveling in Italy. Especially if you are a beginner and ..read more

Language immersion is always a great way to deepen your knowledge and proficiency in a target language. Even though immersing yourself in the local culture can be difficult at first, doing so will significantly improve your Italian language skills. What better way to hone your Italian language abilities than watching interesting TV shows? Due to their accessibility, TV shows give language learners that are looking to improve their proficiency in Italian a distinct advantage. These programs are easily accessible thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and ..read more

Springtime in Rome is a delightful season for visitors and students alike, offering plenty of unique and unforgettable experiences. The Eternal City is known for its rich history, culture, and art, and spring is the perfect time to explore it all. The city blossoms in perfect weather and offers a wide variety of activities that can enrich your visit and give you an unforgettable roman experience. 1. Explore the city’s gardens and parks Rome is home to several stunning gardens and parks: considering its extension, the Eternal City has a remarkable tree cover rate, higher than Paris! Needl ..read more

Christmas in Italy is a time for celebration and family, either on the night of the 24th (the traditional cenone, a meal based on seafood, carbs, and sweets) or on the 25th, at lunch (pranzo di Natale, dominated by meats and broth). For this reason, delicious, traditional food is integral to Italian festivities. Italian Christmas cuisine varies by region, reflecting the diverse culinary traditions and ingredients found across the country. Here, we will explore some of the most popular and delicious Christmas dishes found in different regions of Italy, organized by type of meal. Main Courses ..read more

Italian for beginners: an original infographic to learn the present continuous in Italian by describing a scene of daily life. Learning how to use Italian verbs in the present tense is one of a student’s first skills during an Italian language course. However, knowing how to describe an action while it is happening is even more helpful! The Italian language, just like English, uses the present continuous, also known as present progressive, to perform this task. The Italian present continuous is a very simple tense to use, as it just requires the knowledge o ..read more

Writing an essay in Italian can seem like a daunting prospect. However, it also marks a significant achievement, in that you have secured the basic grammar rules of the language and have sufficiently developed your Italian vocabulary to be able to write an essay. For many people, however, it can be easy to get too focused on the grammar and spelling and forget how to make the essay creative and interesting. Here are 6 simple tips to help you write an essay in Italian. 1. Understand The Purpose And Target Audience Of The Essay Begin by identifying what the essay is asking you to do and who ..read more

For many students, obtaining an Italian language certificate at the end of the Italian language course they are attending (either offline or online) is the crowning achievement of their training. An official certification exam for the Italian language, in fact, in addition to providing strong personal gratification and a detailed assessment of the progress achieved in learning the Italian language, also offers the possibility of obtaining a legally valid document, usable in the workplace, in the academic environment or to submit applications for residence permits in Italy or the Italian citi ..read more

Learning a new language is one of the most productive things you can do for yourself. However, tackling Italian, Spanish, or French for the first time can be challenging, and it’s easy to give up halfway through. Instead of abandoning your aspirations to learn a new language, you could try using dedicated smartphone apps to help yourself. While some language schools consider productivity and learning apps their competitors, the two are complementary. You can visit a local language school or take online courses and then build on your learning experience with the apps we’re about to discuss ..read more