In this lesson we analyse how to use the pronoun “ne” in Italian. More specifically we’ll look at “ne” when: it is the equivalent to the English some or any (partitive pronoun) it replaces a noun introduced by di or da it is used as part of pronominal verbs (andarsene, averne abbastanza, etc.) We will also look at the position of ne in the sentence, give you some tips to make it easier for you to use, and to know when not to use it. Ne is a pronoun, in other words, it is a term that replaces a word or sentence to avoid repetition. Let’s see how to use ne in Italian. Click to get your copy ..read more

I was chatting with a student yesterday who was feeling frustrated about her speaking level. I want to highlight that she’s a hard-working student who doesn’t shy away from diligent study. “Why can I understand Italian but not speak it? Is there something I am doing wrong?” she asked me. This feeling of frustration is common and completely natural for just about any language student. Therefore, I am writing this blog today to help you realize that there’s nothing to worry about. Furthermore, to reduce frustration and disappointment, in this blog I’d like to delve a bit deeper into: The differ ..read more

Are you just starting to learn Italian, perhaps you are at the A1 level? If so this blog is for you. In this article, we explore how to learn Italian from scratch, how to make progress, study effectively, learn vocabulary, and more. This is what we cover: What is the A1 level? How quickly can I progress in Italian? How to study Italian Fun language games and activities 5 tips for developing Italian vocabulary Graded books (with a free e-book for A1) Build your confidence in Italian Success stories . What is the A1 level? Understanding levels in language learning is beneficial as all schools ..read more

In this blog we discuss the seven ways to use ‘allora’ in Italian. This is a comprehensive guide exploring its functions from initiating speech to expressing curiosity. Seven ways of using ‘allora’ in Italian: To take the floor / to begin a speech To buy time when we need a pause to think To explain the consequence of what was said before To talk about a particular moment in the past or future To encourage someone to do or say something. to express curiosity. To press on, to urge A saucy: so what? The first question I always get from my students when starting a new course is: what does ‘allo ..read more

Al momento della stesura, è il 14 settembre e Sanremo è appena terminato, incoronando un nuovo vincitore che parteciperà anche all’Eurovision. Nonostante io non sia mai stata una fan di Sanremo, ho imparato a riconoscerne l’immensa importanza culturale in Italia. È un evento che semplicemente non può essere trascurato, specialmente se stai imparando l’italiano e cerchi di cogliere l’essenza della cultura italiana. Pertanto, ho invitato Alessandro Rossi, il nostro storico immaginario ed esperto di musica italiana, per un’intervista. Oggi esploreremo cos’è il Festival di Sanremo, chi lo guarda e ..read more

At the time of writing, it is the 14th of September, and Sanremo has just closed its doors, crowning a new winner who will also participate in Eurovision. Although I’ve never been a fan of Sanremo myself, I’ve come to recognise its immense cultural significance in Italy. It’s an event that simply cannot be overlooked, especially if you’re learning Italian and seeking to grasp the essence of Italian culture. Therefore, I’ve invited Alessandro Rossi, our fictional cultural historian and expert on Italian music, for an interview. Today, we’ll explore what the Festival di Sanremo is, who watches i ..read more

“CI” and its multiple functions The pronoun “ci” in Italian can be challenging for learners due to its various functions. In fact, “Ci” can function as a pronoun, an adverb, or a part of certain verbs, and its meaning can change depending on the context. For example, “ci” can mean “there,” “us,” “to it,” or “about it,” among other things. In this blog, we’ll take a look at all these functions one by one. We’ll start with the one you might already be familiar with and finish with the most advanced. These are the various functions of “ci” that we’ll discuss: . Click to get your copy. . 1. Direc ..read more

Today we talk about the importance of measuring progress in learning Italian and we’ll give you eight tools to track and evaluate your progress. Learning a language is not a linear process, and learners can encounter plateaus. Measuring progress becomes crucial to maintain motivation and enthusiasm during these phases. Experiment with the tools, choose what works best for you and start measuring your progress today! In particular, in this blog we’ll cover: Why measuring your progress matters Benefits of tracking your progress Tools for measuring progress What to do with your information . Wh ..read more

Explore Italian culture, improve your reading skills, and enrich your vocabulary by reading this blog. Delve into the significance of family in Italy, the roles of grandparents, learn family-related vocabulary from basic to advanced, and discover some idioms associated with family life. To read this blog in Italian click here. In particular, in this blog delves into: 1. Culture: The importance of family in Italian culture. Strong ties with extended family. The connection with religion. The role of grandparents. The dilemma of low birth rates. 2. Vocabulary: basic, intermediate and advanced ..read more

Diverso o differente? Let’s begin by saying that the English word different is translated into Italian as ‘differente’ and ‘diverso’. Typically, English speakers opt for ‘differente’ rather than ‘diverso’ because of its similarity to their own word. However, in Italian is more natural to use the word diverso. The word different is however, not straightforward as it has various meanings and these are translated in Italian with words other than diverso o differente. Let’s start with the cases in which diverso is actually correct. Picture by pexels1. Diverso The meaning of different as in ‘not th ..read more