We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano

👀 Le piccole parole - Episodio 5 - Parte 2 | La preposizione IN - Oltre lo spazio - Free Preview

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0700

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Special thanks to voice actor Joshua Hess for lending his voice to Impariamo l'Italiano Piano Piano. - Contact: SpeakingOfVO@gmail.com

All content © 2026 Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano

Le piccole parole - Episodio 5 - Parte 1B | La preposizione IN - Sempre dentro qualcosa

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0700

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In Part 1B of our exploration of the Italian preposition IN, we go beyond the basics.

We build the articulated forms nel, nello, nella, nell’, nei, negli and nelle, see how IN can express movement into a space, and add useful everyday expressions such as in fretta, in ritardo, in anticipo, in punto, in fondo and in giro.

Then it’s time for Di chi è questo verbo?, with verbs including credere in, sperare in, specializzarsi in, consistere in and imbattersi in.

Finally, we return to the mercatino, where someone we’ve met before comes back for the damaged picture frame, and Carlo seems to have been waiting for just the right moment.

More IN, more story, and a few more pieces of the puzzle.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

Un pezzetto alla volta.

⏳ CHAPTERS

1:07 Articulated Forms
3:36 In as "Into"
5:38 Le Locuzioni Fisse
8:49 Di chi è questo verbo?
11:48 Transition to La Scena
12:28 La Scena: Il Ritorno
16:57 La Scena Senza Interruzioni
19:43 Listener Challenge
22:43 Wrap-up

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Le piccole parole - Episodio 5 - Parte 1A | La preposizione IN - Sempre dentro qualcosa

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0700

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In Episode 5, we turn our attention to IN, another of Italian’s piccole parole that seems to turn up everywhere.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In Part 1A, we explore some of its most common uses: IN with countries and regions, rooms and enclosed spaces, time expressions, and means of transport. Why do we say in Italia, in cucina and in treno? And why is it a piedi but also in piedi?

Along the way, Paolo is rummaging around in the garage, Antonio helps us keep the rules straight, and we hear from one of our Studenti Saggi, who has a prediction about what might happen next at the mercatino.

One small preposition. A lot of places where it belongs.

Un pezzetto alla volta.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
3:12 In with Countries and Regions
7:38 In with Rooms and Enclosed Spaces
10:15 In with Months and Years
13:46 In with Means of Transport
16:37 Le Vostre Previsioni
17:13 Paul’s SpeakPipe Message
19:10 Wrap-up

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👀Le piccole parole - Episodio 4 - Parte 2 | DA: The Italian Preposition that does everything - Free Preview

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 19:00:00 -0700

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Carlo can fix almost anything. But when Matteo and his grandfather bring an old transistor radio to the repair stall, something unexpected happens. For once, Carlo doesn’t know what to do. Someone else does.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In this free preview of Le piccole parole – Episodio 4 – Parte 2: Quando DA fa tutto, we return to the mercatino with comprehension questions, listen again to the scene, and go through the answers together. And one listener’s prediction turns out to have been remarkably close!

The full episode for show supporters continues our exploration of DA, with more uses, verbs, descriptions, and locuzioni fisse.

Un pezzetto alla volta.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
5:55 Comprehension Questions
7:12 Previously at the Mercatino...
11:30 Comprehension Answers
14:25 Listener Paul's Prediction
17:45 Free Version Wrap-up

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Le piccole parole - Episodio 4 - Parte 1B | DA: the word that remembers everything

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 09:00:00 -0700

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Paolo is in the kitchen. Something smells wonderful.

He doesn't know it yet, but he's just given us three perfect examples of the most important use of da in this episode.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In Part 1B we go further with the preposition da. Into duration, passive constructions, fixed expressions, and the verbs that reach for da when they need what comes next. We also look at why Italian stays in the present tense where English would reach for the past, and what that tells us about how Italian thinks about time.

And at the mercatino, something arrives at the repair stall that stops Carlo completely in his tracks. For the first time since the stall opened, there is something he cannot fix.

A small word. A very big job.

Piano piano. Vivendo e imparando.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:30 DA for Duration
4:20 DA in Passive Constructions
6:25 Le Locuzioni Fisse
8:39 Di chi è questo verbo?
12:00 Transition to La Scena
12:37 La Scena – Il Momento del Silenzio
19:59 La Scena – Senza Interruzioni
24:17 Listener Challenge
27:04 Wrap-up

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Le piccole parole - Episodio 4 - Parte 1A | Italian Preposition DA Explained | Learn When to Use DA in Italian

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0700

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Episode 4 – Preposition DA – Part 1A

Most learners first meet da when talking about where someone comes from. But that's only the beginning.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In this episode, we explore three of the most common uses of da. You'll learn how it marks the source of a letter, a message or a journey, how it tells us where movement begins, and why Italians say vado da Marco or sono dal dottore without ever mentioning the word "place."

As always, the grammar grows naturally through conversation between Myra and Antonio, with plenty of examples, comparisons with English, and opportunities to notice the patterns that native speakers use every day.

One small word. Three big jobs.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
1:56 DA for Origin and Source
3:44 DA for Movement Away from a Place
6:23 DA for Person-Centred Locations
8:56 Wrap-up

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👀Le piccole parole - Episodio 3 – Part 2 - Preposition A - PREVIEW - Beyond Destinations

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0700

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In this short preview, we revisit what happened at the repair stall in our continuing story at the summer market before moving on to a few more uses of the Italian preposition a.

You'll hear a short recap of the story, answer some comprehension questions, and discover what to listen for in the full episode.

In the complete subscriber episode, you'll learn:

more common destinations that use a
the difference between places and institutions
another family of verbs that naturally take a
useful fixed expressions you'll hear every day
and more listening practice with our continuing story.

Become a supporter to unlock the complete episode and all bonus lessons.

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Le piccole parole - Episodio 3 - Part 1B - Preposition A in Action

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0700

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In Part 1B of our exploration of the Italian preposition a, it's time to put everything into practice.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

We'll discover how a combines with definite articles to form al, allo, alla, all', ai, agli, and alle, and we'll meet a family of common verbs that naturally take a, including provare a, riuscire a, cominciare a, continuare a, and imparare a.

Then, at last, we arrive at the neighbourhood summer market. As Carlo, Sara, and Luca welcome their first customers, you'll hear a doing its many jobs in real Italian: pointing to places, recipients, times, and actions. Along the way, another small mystery begins to unfold...

By the end of this episode, you'll not only recognize the patterns—you'll hear them working naturally inside a story.

Buon ascolto... e buona caccia agli a!

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Articulated Forms
6:17 Di chi è questo verbo?
9:21 Transition to La Scena
10:11 La Scena – Il Primo Giorno del Mercatino
22:27 La Scena – Senza Interruzioni
28:10 Listener Challenge
30:27 Wrap-up

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Le piccole parole - Episodio 3 - Part 1A - The Many Jobs of A

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0700

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In the first part of our exploration of the Italian preposition a, we begin to uncover one of the most common and versatile little words in the Italian language.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

We'll see how a points the way to cities, introduces the recipient of an action, appears in common time expressions, and forms part of dozens of everyday fixed expressions you'll hear from your very first Italian lesson.

Along the way, we'll revisit indirect object pronouns, compare them with their full forms using a, and begin collecting another group of useful Italian expressions to add to your growing toolkit.

Our visit to the summer market will have to wait just a little longer. In Part 1B, we'll continue with the articulated forms of a, explore the verbs that naturally take a, and finally head to the market on opening day, where everything we've learned begins to come to life.

Buon ascolto... e buona caccia agli a!

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
2:00 A as a Destination – Cities
3:35 A with Indirect Objects
6:21 Indirect Object Pronouns
7:23 A with Time
8:49 A in Fixed Expressions
10:52 Wrap-up

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👀 Le piccole parole - Episodio 2 - Part 3 - PREVIEW Quando di trova casa

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700

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In this preview of Le piccole parole – Episodio 2 – Part 3, we return to our exploration of one of the hardest-working little words in Italian: di.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In the full version we explore di in comparisons, time expressions, adjectives that naturally take di, and a final collection of common verbs and fixed expressions you'll hear every day in Italian. Along the way, we'll also answer an important question: when does Italian use che instead of di in comparisons?

Antonio shares a short story inspired by real events, packed with examples of di in action. You'll hear it first at slow speed, then again at a more natural pace, before we finish with a practical framework that will help you recognise what di is doing whenever you encounter it.

By the end of the episode, you'll have far more than a translation of di. You'll have a way of thinking about it.

The full episode is available to show supporters.

To unlock the complete lesson, transcript, the rest of this mini-series, and the companion series of reference materials, simply click the Support the Show link in the show notes of this or any episode.

Un pezzetto alla volta.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
2:45 Antonio's Story (Slow Speed)
3:56 Wrap-up

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👀 Le piccole parole - Episodio 2 - Part 2 - PREVIEW - Di: del, dello, and the secret life of 'some'

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:00:00 -0700

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You thought di was finished?

Not quite.

In this preview of Di – Part 2, Antonio develops a new hobby: cataloguing every di he can find in Paolo's grandmother's recipe box. Along the way, we stumble across one of the most surprising features of Italian grammar: sometimes del, della, and dei don't mean of the at all.

This preview includes the opening section of the lesson and our first encounter with the partitive.

In the full episode, available to supporters, we explore:

articulated forms (del, dello, della, and the rest)
the partitive and how to recognize it
more verbs that belong to di
additional fixed expressions
and a few more discoveries from Paolo's kitchen.

Piano piano. Un pezzetto alla volta.

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Le piccole parole – Epi 2 – Part 1 - Di: The Italian Preposition That's Everywhere

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700

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What does di really mean?

Most learners know it as "of," but di does far more than that. In this episode of Le piccole parole, we explore how di expresses relationships, origin, topic, material, quantity, common expressions, and more. Along the way, Antonio discovers that di is hiding everywhere, including in one of Nonna's old recipe cards.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

Support the show to continue with Di – Part Two, where we'll explore articulated forms such as del and della, the partitive, and more verbs that belong to di.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
3:25 DI as a Relational Marker
4:38 DI for Origin
5:51 DI for Topic
7:23 DI for Material and Contents
9:04 DI with Quantities and Groups
10:51 DI in Fixed Expressions
12:51 Di chi è questo verbo?
15:01 Articulated Forms Preview
17:02 Transition to La Scena
18:20 La Scena – La Fontana del Quartiere
25:03 La Scena senza interruzioni
28:16 Listener Challenge
30:35 Wrap-up

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Episode 32 - Behind the Scenes of an Italian Piano Piano Meetup

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0700

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Meetup event links: Vancouver Chapter / European Chapter

Have you ever finished a podcast episode and thought:

"Now what?"

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of the Italian Piano Piano meetups and show you exactly what happens during one of our weekly sessions.

You'll meet Antonio, the custom tutor I've been developing alongside the podcast, and you'll hear how meetup participants use guided prompts, questions, and discussion to practise the same grammar concepts we've been exploring in the story Le Pagine del Passato.

Using examples from a previoous workshop, you'll see how learners move beyond simply understanding a grammar point and begin using it in fresh situations, one prompt at a time.

Along the way, we'll revisit scenes with Luca, Sara, and Carlo, explore how the tutor provides feedback, and talk about why some of the most valuable learning happens when we make mistakes and work through them together.

If you've ever wondered what the meetups are like, this episode is your invitation to sit in on one.

Piano piano.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why the meetups were created

• Meet Antonio, the custom tutor

• A guided walkthrough of a typical meetup session

• Pronouns and the gerundio in action

• Luca, Sara, and Carlo return

• The role of discussion, questions, and "aha" moments

• How the podcast, tutor, and meetup work together

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

Meetup event links: Vancouver Chapter / European Chapter

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
0:31 Why Meetups
3:22 Meet Antonio – The Tutor
4:31 Starting a Lesson
6:06 The Two Gerundio Situations
8:06 Pronoun Placement Practice
10:46 Luca, Sara & Carlo Return
13:11 The Aha Moment
14:12 Story + Practice + Community
14:47 Wrap-up

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Le piccole parole - Epi 1 - Una mini-serie sulle preposizioni italiane

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0700

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Have you ever learned that di means "of", a means "to", and con means "with" ... only to discover that real Italian doesn't seem to follow those simple rules?

Welcome to Le piccole parole, a new mini-series dedicated to one of the most challenging aspects of Italian: prepositions.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In this introductory episode, Maira and Antonio explore why these tiny words cause so many problems for intermediate learners. Along the way, Antonio reminisces about learning prepositions as a child at the mysterious Scuola dei Grammatici, and together they discover that knowing the translations of Italian prepositions is only the beginning.

You'll hear examples such as:

Vado in banca
Vivo a Roma
Vado da Marco
Parliamo di politica
Ci vediamo tra due ore

...and you'll see why direct translation from English often leads us astray.

If you've ever wondered when to use di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra or fra, this series is for you.

In the next episode, we'll begin with one of the most common and versatile prepositions in Italian:

di.

Buon ascolto!

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
0:30 Antonio's School Days
1:18 Are Prepositions Really an Intermediate Topic?
2:38 The Nine Simple Prepositions
3:42 When Translation Doesn't Work
6:04 Welcome to Le piccole parole
7:49 Wrap-up

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Episode 31 - Tra le righe – Capitolo 3 completo - Solo italiano

Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:00 -0700

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Tra le righe – Capitolo 3 completo (Solo in italiano)

In the previous episode, we listened to the complete bilingual version of Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato. Now it's time to hear it again, this time entirely in Italian.

No English. No interruptions. Just the story.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

From the first clue hidden inside Nonna Maria's book… to the abandoned library… to the mysterious message waiting tra le righe - this is your chance to experience the complete chapter the way Italian sounds when it flows on its own.

You might be surprised by how much you understand now.

This episode also brings together the grammar structures woven throughout Chapter 3:

• The gerundio in context
• Pronouns attached to the gerundio
• Reflexive and reciprocal verbs
• The gerundio composto

If you'd like to continue the journey, you're warmly invited to join the upcoming online meetup. Together, we'll revisit the story, vocabulary, and grammar from Episodes 24–29 together, exploring how the gerundio becomes more expressive through pronouns, reflexive and reciprocal verbs, and the gerundio composto. We'll connect the grammar to scenes from Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato and discuss how these structures are used in real Italian.

Here's the link to the meetup event:
https://www.meetup.com/italian-piano-piano-community-meetup/events/315012232

The sessions are relaxed, interactive, and designed to help Italian make sense piano piano.

Piano piano. Vivendo e imparando.

Grazie mille per aver ascoltato. Ci sentiamo nel prossimo episodio.

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Episode 30 - Tra le righe – Capitolo 3 completo - Italiano e inglese

Sat, 23 May 2026 08:00:00 -0700

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In this special episode, we bring together the entire Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato in one complete bilingual listening experience.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

Over the past several episodes, you've followed Mariella piece by piece - through the first mysterious clue hidden inside a book, along the path to the abandoned library on the hill, past the red staircase, the warrior's gate, and the scribe's chamber full of memories. And finally, to the message waiting tra le righe — between the lines.

Today, you'll hear all four parts together, with Italian and English woven side by side so you can follow the story closely while hearing the language naturally in context.

In this episode:

Parte 1: Il primo indizio / The First Clue
Parte 2: Legami di famiglia / Family Ties
Parte 3: Collegamenti / Connections
Parte 4: Rimettere insieme i pezzi / Putting the Pieces Together

In the next episode, you'll hear the entire chapter again - this time, completely in Italian.

Buon ascolto.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
1:52 Chapter 3 Part 1 (Bilingual)
8:02 Chapter 3 Part 2 (Bilingual)
12:44 Chapter 3 Part 3 (Bilingual)
22:35 Chapter 3 Part 4 (Bilingual)
27:53 Wrap-up

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Episode 29 - Vivendo e imparando – Everyday Expressions with the Gerundio

Sat, 16 May 2026 10:00:00 -0700

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Episode 29 closes out the gerundio topic with one more journey through Chapter 3, Part 4 of Le Pagine del Passato; first in Italian only, then together in English and Italian.

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and Transcript for this episode <--

After the story, we look at a lighter side of the gerundio: the everyday expressions that show up in natural speech long before most learners realize what they are. Vivendo e imparando. Sto solo scherzando. Prendendola a ridere.

We also look at when Italian doesn't reach for the gerundio at all,and why learners who translate too directly from English can end up sounding slightly off.

This is the final episode of the gerundio arc. The transcript, Study Guide, and Answer Key for Episodes 24 to 29 are available in the Substack post for this episode. By clicking Support the Show in your podcast app, you get access to all companion materials across the series; transcripts, study guides, answer keys, and interactive flashcards.

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and Transcript for this episode <--

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Episode 28 - Fidati del tuo istinto - Il gerundio composto

Sat, 09 May 2026 11:00:00 -0700

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In Episode 28 of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we finally arrive at the compound gerundio.

You’ll learn how forms like avendo trovato, essendosi girata, and pur avendo letto are formed, when they are used, and how they differ from the simple gerundio.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

In this episode, we cover:

how to form the compound gerundio with avendo and essendo
agreement with reflexive and motion verbs
pronouns with the compound gerundio
pur + compound gerundio
guided practice and comparisons with the simple gerundio

Then we continue Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato with Part 4: Rimettere insieme i pezzi.

At the top of the staircase, Mariella discovers a document containing a message:

"Il messaggio che cerchi è scritto tra le righe. Fidati del tuo istinto."

As the clues begin connecting, Mariella calls Zina, and together they move one step closer to understanding the mystery surrounding the book Le strade percorse da Garibaldi.

The episode includes:

Italian explanations with English support
Italian-only story reading at slow speed and normal speed
comprehension questions for listeners

Piano piano… si va lontano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:45 Introduction
0:45 The Story – Capitolo 3, Parte 4 – Rimettere insieme i pezzi
1:53 What Is the Compound Gerundio?
3:10 How the Compound Gerund Is Formed
9:31 When Do You Use the Compound Gerund?
12:48 A Note on Frequency
13:22 Practice with the Compound Gerundio
17:30 Summary
18:48 The Story – Capitolo 3, Parte 4: Rimettere insieme i pezzi – Slow Speed
22:06 The Story – Capitolo 3, Parte 4: Rimettere insieme i pezzi – Normal Speed
24:01 Wrap-up

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👀 Bonus Episode 17 Preview - Hidden Objects, Strange Paths, and Quiet Clues

Sat, 02 May 2026 17:00:00 -0700

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In this preview of Bonus Episode 17, we step into an outdoor market and begin exploring the vocabulary from the final part of Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

You’ll hear new words introduced through a short contextual scene, where objects like an anello, a medaglione, and a braccialetto begin to take on a little more meaning.

In the full episode, we continue with three more vocabulary categories: Movement & Actions, Communication & Clarity, and Places. You’ll also work through Active Recall and a Mini Quiz to help you remember and use the new words with confidence.

And just outside the lesson… let’s just say a familiar pair has something to say about how much “air time” they’ve been getting.

To access the full episode, along with the transcript and interactive flashcards, visit the link in the show notes.

Piano piano.

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Episode 27 - From “Myself” to “Each Other” | Reciprocal Verbs in Italian

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0700

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In this episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we complete one of our biggest grammar topics yet: reflexive verbs.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

This time, we explore some of the final missing pieces:

✔ reciprocal verbs (ci vediamo, si salutano, ci scriviamo)
✔ how to tell the difference between reflexive and reciprocal verbs
✔ reflexive and reciprocal verbs in the imperfetto
✔ reciprocal verbs in the passato prossimo
✔ how these structures connect to forms you already know, including the gerund

You’ll learn how Italian uses the same pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi) for actions we do to ourselves and actions people do to each other.

Then we put everything into context with a new scene featuring Luca, Sara, and Carlo.

Carlo says he’s “not studying”… but no one seems convinced.

As always, you’ll hear:

clear grammar explanations
guided examples
story-based learning
a full scene replay without interruptions

🎧 Transcript, study guide, answer key, and bonus resources are available through Support the Show.

Piano piano… si va lontano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Pre-Introduction
1:11 Introduction
2:22 Reciprocal Verbs Introduced
4:30 Reciprocal Verbs & the Gerund
5:15 Reflexive or Reciprocal?
7:06 Plural Subjects
9:47 Il Riflessivo all’Imperfetto
12:05 Il Riflessivo al Passato Prossimo
13:10 Practice: Reciprocal Verbs Across Tenses
16:08 Luca & Sara Scene Setup
16:38 Scene Begins
23:46 Scene Replay (No Interruptions)
25:07 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 26 - Se lo vs Glielo & Back to the Story

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:00:00 -0700

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In this episode, we return to Le Pagine del Passato — Chapter 3, Part 3: Collegamenti.

Last time, you heard this chapter in Italian only.
This time, we work through it together — with both Italian and English — so you can follow the story step by step and deepen your understanding.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

Before we begin, we take a moment to clarify a question that came up after the last episode:

👉 What’s the difference between se lo and glielo?

It’s a small distinction… but an important one.
And understanding it will help you make sense of how actions move — either back to the subject, or toward someone else.

We’ll practice this idea together, and then return to the story — where you’ll hear many of the building blocks that make these structures possible.

We also revisit the comprehension questions from the previous episode, so you can check your understanding before hearing the story again.

And finally… Luca and Sara have something to say about their limited role in recent episodes.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
4:37 Practice – Where is the action going?
6:38 Key idea
7:12 Answers to Comprehension Questions
9:07 Chapter 3 Part 2 – English and Italian
19:17 Chapter 3 Part 3 – Italian only
23:36 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 25 - The Gerund and Reflexive Verbs: Putting It All Together

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700

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In this episode, we take another important step forward… piano piano.

--> Link to Post for Transcript for this episode <--

We bring together two key ideas you’ve already started to explore:
reflexive verbs and the gerundio.

You’ll learn:

how reflexive verbs work in the passato prossimo (and why they always use essere)
how to form and use the reflexive gerund (svegliandosi, vestendosi…)
what changes when the gerund stands alone
how reflexive verbs behave with stare + gerundio
and how combined pronouns come together and attach
(preparandoselo, comprandoselo…)

We build step by step, moving from familiar structures into more complex combinations, always grounded in clear examples from the story.

Then we return to Le Pagine del Passato with Capitolo 3, Parte 3: Collegamenti, where you’ll hear these structures in context.

As you listen, try to notice:

reflexive verbs in action
moments where the gerund appears
and how pronouns interact within the sentence

You may also hear a few new forms such as the trapassato prossimo and the congiuntivo. Don’t worry about producing them yet. This is your first exposure.

Just listen… and let the language settle in.

If you’d like extra support:

full transcripts are available on Substack to show supporters
vocabulary episodes are available for supporters
and chapter markers will help you return to any section

And as always,
thank you for learning Italian with me…

piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
1:56 Quick Review – Reflexive Pronouns
3:21 Passato Prossimo and the Reflexive Auxiliary
4:42 Reflexive Actions from Chapter 3
6:36 Reflexive Verbs with Il Gerundio
8:12 Reflexive Verbs as Stand-alone Gerund
9:22 Reflexive Verbs with Stare + Gerundio
10:32 Practice with Reflexive Gerundio Standing Alone
13:00 Combined Pronouns with Reflexive Verbs and the Gerund
15:50 Story Listening Instructions
17:58 Capitolo 3, Parte 3 – Italian Only Slow Speed
22:51 A Quick Note on Some Forms You May Have Heard
23:55 Comprehension Questions
24:28 Chapter 3, Part 3 – Normal Speed
28:56 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Bonus Epi 16B Preview - Vocabulary for Chapter 3 Part 3 | Actions, Perception & States

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:00:00 -0700

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In this preview of Bonus Episode 16B, we step into Category 6: Actions, Perception & States from Chapter 3, Part 3 of Le Pagine del Passato.

This time, it’s not just about what you see or hear…
it’s about what you feel, what you imagine, and what you begin to understand.

You’ll hear a short excerpt from the vocabulary episode, where words like affascinata, immaginava, impressionava, and conservassero come to life in context.

And when Luca steps in to read… of course Antonio needs to show us how it’s really done.

The full bonus episode includes:

guided contextual learning
slow and natural-speed Italian readings
active recall practice
and interactive exercises to help you truly use the language

The rest of this episode is reserved for show supporters.

If you’d like access to the full bonus episode, transcripts, and study materials, click “Support the show”.

And in the next episode, we return to the story… where all of this vocabulary comes alive.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
2:36 Category 6 – Actions, Perception & States
4:17 Italian Only Slow Speed – Category 6
5:55 Italian Only Normal Speed – Category 6
7:09 Bonus Episode Wrap-Up

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Bonus Epi 16A Preview - Vocabulary for Chapter 3 Part 3 | Setting, Space, and Detail

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0700

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In this preview of Bonus Episode 16A, we begin exploring the vocabulary for Chapter 3, Part 3 of our story, a section where the language becomes richer, more detailed, and more immersive.

--> Link to Post for and Transcript for this episode <--

In this first category, you’ll hear vocabulary related to setting and atmosphere - the words that help you describe what surrounds you and shape the feeling of a place.

As always, you’ll experience the vocabulary step by step:
• first in context
• then in Italian
• followed by active recall
• and a short mini quiz

This is just a small part of the full episode.

In the complete version, we continue with additional categories that explore space, objects, history, and fine detail, giving you the tools to not just follow the story, but truly notice the language.

🎧 Want to continue?
To access the full version of this episode please click here to support the show.

Impariamo l’italiano… piano piano, con noi.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
3:40 Category 1 – Contextual Introduction
5:00 Italian Only – Category 1
6:29 Active Recall – Category 1
7:30 Mini Quiz – Category 1
9:01 Wrap-Up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 24 – Beyond Stare: Keys, Chaos, and the Italian Gerundio

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

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In this episode, we go one step further with the gerundio and explore what happens when things get a little more complex.

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You’ve already seen how stare + gerundio works. But what about when the gerund stands on its own? And what happens when you need to use not just one pronoun… but two?

In Episode 24, we break it all down, step by step.

You’ll learn:
• The two key situations for pronoun placement with the gerundio
• Why stare + gerundio gives you two options
• Why a standalone gerundio only gives you one
• How combined pronouns work (and why they change form)

Then we put it all into practice with a lively Luca and Sara scene… featuring Carlo, a missing set of keys, and just a bit of chaos.

And of course, we return to Le Pagine del Passato – Chapter 3, Part 2 – this time with both English and Italian, so you can deepen your understanding of the story while reinforcing the grammar.

✨ By the end of this episode, you should be able to, not only understand these structures… you should be starting to recognize them just about everywhere.

👉 In the next episode, we’ll build on this even further as we explore reflexive verbs with the gerundio.

Piano piano… si va lontano. 🇮🇹

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 23 - The Italian Stare + Gerundio with Pronouns

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0700

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You already know how to use stare + gerundio to describe what's happening right now. And you know how Italian pronouns work. But what happens when you put them together?

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and Transcript for this episode <--
(Available to show supporters)

In this episode, Myra and Antonio take a moment to revisit the two main types of object pronouns — indirect (mi, ti, gli, le...) and direct (lo, la, li, le...) — drawing on real examples from the story of Le Pagine del Passato. Then we bring it all together: where exactly does a pronoun go when you're using the present progressive?

Lo sto leggendo. Or: Sto leggendolo.

Both are correct. Both are natural. And by the end of this episode, both will feel familiar.

Luca and Sara are back to help us practice, along with their new roommate Carlo, played with great depth by Antonio, in a scene full of doorbells, a barking dog, a missing backpack, and plenty of present progressive.

Then we continue with Chapter 3, Part 2 of Le Pagine del Passato: Legami di famiglia (Family Ties). Mariella is piecing together the clues, and we learn more about the shared history between her and her closest friend Zina. Il mistero si infittisce. The mystery deepens.

Next episode: we revisit the story in Italian and English, and turn our attention to the reflexive pronoun si, which has been quietly appearing throughout Chapter 3.

Piano piano si va lontano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
2:21 Review: Direct and Indirect Pronouns
2:52 Indirect Object Pronouns
5:05 Reinforcement Examples (Indirect Pronouns)
7:38 Direct Object Pronouns
10:38 Reinforcement Examples (Direct Pronouns)
13:20 A Quick Note on Si
14:07 One Key Takeaway
15:13 Three Things to Remember
15:30 Examples Using Stare + Gerundio
16:42 Luca & Sara Scene: Setup
17:36 Luca & Sara Scene with Prompts
22:34 Luca & Sara Scene (Without Interruption)
24:55 Chapter 3 Part 2 (Italian Only – Slow Speed)
27:19 Comprehension Questions
28:06 Chapter 3 Part 2 (Italian Only – Normal Speed)
30:15 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 22 - Caught in the Act - Stare + Gerundio

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

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What are you doing right now?

In Italian, there’s a beautifully logical way to express actions that are in progress: stare + gerundio, the present progressive.

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and Transcript for this episode <--
(Available to show supporters)

In Episode 22 of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we dive into this essential structure and explore how it works step by step.

You’ll learn:
• How to conjugate stare in the present tense
• How to form the gerundio (-ando / -endo endings)
• When to use the present progressive instead of the simple present
• Common irregular gerunds
• Everyday expressions like Sto arrivando! and Sta piovendo.

Then we put everything into action with a lively practice conversation between Luca and Sara, where the focus is on actions in progress.

After that, we revisit Chapter 3, Part 1 of Le Pagine del Passato, this time with the English translation alongside the Italian, and go over the answers to the comprehension questions from the previous episode.

And before we close, we preview the next step: combining pronouns with the present progressive. Because saying Lo sto leggendo is not quite the same as saying Sto leggendo.

As always, we learn step by step.
Piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:33 Stare + Gerundio: What Is It?
2:17 Conjugating Stare
3:32 Forming the Gerund
4:20 Common Irregular Gerunds
6:03 When Do You Use It?
8:43 Practice Conversation
11:57 Practice Conversation (Without Interruption)
13:15 Useful Expressions
15:33 Answers to Comprehension Questions
17:02 Le Pagine del Passato – Capitolo 3 Parte 1 (English and Italian)
23:13 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 21 - Il primo indizio - The Simple Gerundio in Action

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0800

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Episode 21 – Il primo indizio | Five Uses of the Italian Gerundio

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(Available to show supporters)

In this episode, we take a final, focused look at il gerundio semplice, adding three important uses to the two you learned earlier — and bringing the total to five.

You’ll hear how the gerundio can express:

cause and reason
condition and consequence
contrast or surprise with pur

Through clear examples and short dialogues, you’ll see how this compact form does a lot of work in Italian, especially in storytelling and written language.

Then, we step into Chapter 3 of Le Pagine del Passato.

You’ll hear Il primo indizio for the first time, entirely in Italian - first slowly, then again at a natural pace, as Mariella discovers a mysterious message left by her grandmother. A red staircase. An old library. And a clue that sets the story in motion.

After the story, you’re invited to reflect on a set of comprehension questions. We won’t give you the answers just yet. We’ll return to them in the next episode, alongside the full English translation.

This episode also prepares the ground for what’s coming next: stare + gerundio, the Italian present progressive, which we’ll explorenext, in Episode 22.

Piano piano, the mystery deepens - and so, speriamo, does your Italian!

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
3:37 Three More Uses for the Italian Gerundio
4:18 Expressing Cause
5:52 Expressing Condition
7:27 Expressing Contradiction or Surprise
9:17 Dialogue Practice: Gerundio (Cause, Condition, and Pur)
11:57 Summary of the 5 Uses of the Simple Gerundio
14:06 Chapter 3 Part 1 (Italian Slow Speed)
17:58 Comprehension Questions
19:49 Chapter 3 Part 1 (Italian Normal Speed)
22:01 Wrap-up

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👀 Bonus Episode 14 Preview – Vocabulary for Chapter 3, Part 1: Il primo indizio

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800

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Bonus Episode – Vocabulary for Chapter 3, Part 1: Il primo indizio

Season 3 begins here.

In this special bonus episode, we open Chapter 3 – Il primo indizio with a rich, story-driven vocabulary journey designed to prepare you for what’s coming next in Le Pagine del Passato.

You’ll hear 40 carefully selected words, organized into six thematic categories that mirror the opening of Chapter 3:

Mystery & Discovery
The Library
Time & Sequence
Colors & Appearance
Family & Tradition
Actions & States

Joining Myra and Antonio (Myra's bigger than life "imaginary" co host) are two new voices, Sara and Luca, who assist her in guiding you through contextual stories, slow and natural Italian readings, active recall, and mini quizzes, all while Antonio keeps everyone on their toes, as always.

This episode is perfect if you want to:

build confidence before diving into the story
hear vocabulary used in meaningful, memorable contexts
ease into Season 3 with clarity

🎧 Tip: This episode pairs perfectly with the Season 3 vocabulary flashcards and is ideal to revisit as you move through Chapter 3.

--> Chapter 3 Part 1 Flashcards <--

Welcome back. The mystery continues - piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
4:20 Category 1 - Mystery & Discovery
7:46 Active Recall - Category 1
8:48 Mini Quiz - Category 1
11:04 Wrap-up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 20 - Le Pagine del Passato – Capitolo Due – Ripasso: Messaggi dall’Aldilà

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0800

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Episode 20 - Le Pagine del Passato – Capitolo Due – Ripasso: Messaggi dall’Aldilà

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We begin by returning to the final scene of Chapter 2 and briefly revisiting the gerundio forms you were asked to notice in the previous episode. From there, we zoom out to reflect on how Italian expresses background and simultaneous actions throughout the chapter.

The heart of this episode is listening.

You’ll hear the entire Chapter 2 story:

first in English and Italian together, to confirm meaning and follow the narrative clearly
and then Italian only, at normal speed, from beginning to end

There’s no new grammar in this episode.
Just attentive listening, pattern recognition, and a calm moment of closure before turning the page.

This episode closes Chapter 2: Messaggi dall’Aldilà and prepares us for the start of Chapter 3 and Season 3 of the podcast.

Un’ultima passeggiata prima di voltare pagina.

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Episode 19 - While It’s Happening – Il Gerundio

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:00:00 -0800

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In this episode, we reach the end of Chapter 2 of the story and take time to slow things down and notice what Italian is doing beneath the surface.

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We focus on the gerundio, the -ando / -endo form that helps describe actions in progress and adds texture to a scene. You’ll hear how it’s formed, see common and irregular examples, and explore how it contrasts with the imperfetto. We also revisit commands as they naturally appear throughout Chapter 2, reviewing the different forms and placements you’ve learned so far.

The episode closes with the Italian-only version of the final part of Chapter 2, inviting you to listen carefully and notice both meaning and form as the story reaches a mysterious pause.

In the next short episode, we’ll listen through the entire Chapter 2 story from beginning to end: In English and Italian together and then in Italian only, as a focused listening exercise to close the chapter before moving on.

Un’ultima passeggiata prima di voltare pagina.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
2:15 Understanding the Gerundio
2:56 When to Use the Gerundio
4:27 Welcome
4:44 How to Form the Gerundio
7:47 An Important Difference: It Doesn’t Conjugate
10:35 The Gerundio vs. the Imperfetto
14:05 The Key Difference: Same Subject
16:00 Rule of Thumb
16:24 Mini Story Practice
19:24 Chapter 2 – Commands Revisited
23:15 Chapter 2 Part 3 (Italian Only – Slowly with Pauses)
26:50 Second Reading of Chapter 2 Part 3 at Normal Speed
28:59 Wrap-up

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👀 Bonus Episode 13 Preview – Vocabulary for Chapter 2, Part 3: Objects, Actions, and Mystery

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0800

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This is a preview version of Bonus Episode 13.

In this bonus episode, we focus on the key vocabulary you’ll hear in Chapter 2, Part 3 of the story.

Together, we practice words and expressions related to objects, actions, places, weather, and everyday Italian structures, using short contextual scenes, slow and normal-speed Italian readings, active recall, and mini quizzes.

This episode is designed to help you recognize and understand the language before stepping into the next part of the story, so you can follow along with more confidence and less effort.

As always, we take things piano piano.

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 18: Combined Pronouns - Placement, Agreement + Reflexives

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

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Episode 18 is all about one big question: once you know how to form combined pronouns, where do you actually put them in the sentence?

--> Link to Post for Study Guides and Transcripts for episodes 16, 17 and 18 <--
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In this episode, we walk through the four main placement situations step by step: before conjugated verbs, attached to infinitives with modal verbs, attached to informal positive commands, and with negative commands. Then we add an essential rule that makes everything click in the passato prossimo: past participle agreement when the direct object pronoun comes before the verb.

And because this comes up constantly in real Italian, we also include reflexive pronouns combined with direct object pronouns, with clear examples you can start using right away.

You’ll also get a fun mini-story practice section with dialogue and fill-in-the-blank responses, so you can train your ear and your instincts in a more natural way.

Piano piano, it starts to feel automatic.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:50 Part 3: Where Do Combined Pronouns Go?
2:35 Situation 1: Before Conjugated Verbs
4:56 Agreement in the Passato Prossimo (Preview)
6:08 Practice Mini-Story: Scene 1
8:14 Situation 2: With Infinitives (After Modal Verbs)
9:12 Option 1: Attached to the Infinitive
9:56 Option 2: Before the Modal Verb
10:41 Situation 3: Positive Commands (Attached Pronouns)
12:17 Formal Commands
13:56 Negative Formal Commands
14:37 Scene 2: Informal Commands
15:55 Quick Summary: Pronoun Placement
17:18 Part 4: Combined Pronouns in the Passato Prossimo
18:41 Passato Prossimo Examples
21:49 Apostrophes Explained
22:08 Story Scene 3: Passato Prossimo Agreement
23:51 Story Scene 4: Modal Verbs (Two Options)
25:54 Part 5: Reflexive Pronouns
28:32 Scene 5: Reflexive + Direct Object Pronouns
30:06 Wrap-Up

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Episode 17: Combined Pronouns - The Basics

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0800

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In this episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we start learning one of the most useful (and most confusing) parts of Italian grammar: combined object pronouns, also called pronomi combinati.

--> Link to Post for Study Guides and Transcripts for episodes 16, 17 and 18 <--
(A available to show supporters)

You’ve probably learned direct object pronouns like lo, la, li, le and indirect object pronouns like mi, ti, gli, le. But what happens when Italian needs to say both:

to whom something is given
and what is being given?

That’s where combined pronouns come in, and once you understand the logic, they start to feel surprisingly elegant.

In this first part of the lesson, we’ll cover:

the difference between direct objects and indirect objects
the basic rule: INDIRECT + DIRECT
the sound change: mi → me, ti → te, ci → ce, vi → ve
how gli becomes glielo, gliela, glieli, gliele
why we get double consonants in commands like dammi and dammela

Plus, Antonio checks in on Paul after last episode’s mysterious window escape… and we share a quick clip from Paul about what the podcast has helped him learn.

In the next episode, we’ll continue with where combined pronouns go in the sentence, practice them in longer structures, and start working more with modal verbs and the passato prossimo.

A presto, and let’s keep going piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
4:09 Part 1: Direct vs. Indirect Objects
9:07 Pronoun Review
12:01 Part 2: How Pronouns Combine (The Basic Logic)
15:09 Practice: Double Pronouns After the Verb
16:56 Practice: Double Pronouns Before the Verb
18:28 Third Person: Gli Takes Over
22:57 Studente Saggio Paul’s Endorsement
25:01 Wrap-Up

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Episode 16 - What’s Left Unsaid: Ci and Ne in Motion

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0800

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In this episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we continue the story with Chapter 2, Part 2.

--> Link to Post for Study Guides and Transcripts for episodes 16, 17 and 18 <--
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Mariella is no longer just remembering the past. She’s moving through space, from the station, to the street, to the car, and finally to the lawyer’s office. As the story unfolds across different places, Italian does something very natural: it stops repeating those places and starts referring back to them.

That’s where two small but powerful words come in: ci and ne.

🎧 Listen for:

How ci follows movement, location, and situation
How ne replaces “of it”, “of them”, and quantities
Why these pronouns are best learned by listening, not memorizing rules

Companion materials
This episode will be included in a combined study guide with Episode 17, where ci and ne are revisited, compared, and practiced in more structured ways.

Along the way, listen also for new imperatives, and notice how they’re formed and how they sound in context.

And finally… a small mystery remains. Paul seems to have disappeared without a trace. Or has he?

🎧 Stay curious, listen closely, and as always - piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
3:39 Chapter 2 Part 2: English and Italian
8:57 More Garage Drama
9:56 Ci Rules
15:19 Quick Note about Ce
16:28 Ne Rules
22:28 CI vs NE: Side by Side
23:13 Recap
23:44 Exercise 1: Ci or Ne? (And Why?)
28:01 Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps Story
30:17 Wrap-Up

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Episode 15 – Before or After? The Art of Italian Adjectives (Part B)

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

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Episode 15 – Before or After? The Art of Italian Adjectives (Part B)
Meaning, Emphasis, and “Bel Film” Explained

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and transcript for this episode <--
(Available to show supporters)

In this episode, we continue our look at Italian adjective placement and explore what changes when an adjective comes before or after the noun.

Building on Episode 14, Part B focuses on adjectives that change meaning depending on position, expressive and literary word order, and a listener question from Studente Saggio Paul:
Why do we say bel film, but also film bellissimo?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How adjective placement can change meaning (grande, vecchio, caro, povero, solo, bravo, certo)
When adjectives move before the noun to add emphasis or emotion
Why bello follows the same patterns as definite articles
How superlatives like bellissimo behave differently from bello

As the lesson unfolds, grammar slips into everyday life, where adjectives start stacking up, including a few tied to fishing gear (grande, robusto, impermeabile, gonfiabile, spettacolare), and things quickly turn into an amusing, slightly over-the-top situation.

The full story reread with English and Italian side-by-side will return in the next episode, as the mystery with Mariella and Zina continues.

🎧 Ideal for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural and expressive in Italian.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
2:26 Listener Question
2:53 The Fifth Category: Expressive Adjectives
4:44 Meaning-Changing Adjectives
12:27 Practice: Adjectives Before or After
14:06 Bel Film vs Film Bellissimo
15:08 Definite Articles Form the Patterns for Bello
21:18 Superlatives – Before or After
22:58 An Unexpected Visitor
23:47 Impastare – Presente Indicativo
25:04 Summary of Today’s Episode
31:04 Antonio’s Wrap-up

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Bonus episode 12 - Voci dal Mercato - in Review - Part B

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0800

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In this bonus review episode, we return to the Italian market to focus on one of the most practical skills every learner needs: asking for the right amount of something in Italian.

From flexible, gesture-based requests like un po’ di questo to precise measurements such as un etto and due etti, this episode helps you understand when Italians expect exact quantities and when approximation is perfectly natural. We also explore how to talk about slice thickness (sottile vs. spesso), why spesso can mean both “thick” and “often,” and how context makes all the difference.

Along the way, we revisit lively real-life moments from:

La rosticceria, where meats for arrotolato are listed at full speed
Il banco dei casalinghi, where multitasking, interruptions, and everyday Italian unfold naturally

You’ll hear authentic market audio, gentle corrections, and explanations that highlight how language, culture, and rhythm work together in everyday interactions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Italians use etti, kilos, and approximate language at the market
When exact measurements matter and when they don’t
How to ask for meat sliced thin or thick, naturally
Common cuts of chicken, pork, beef, and veal
Useful expressions like ci vuole, faccio vedere, and un po’ di questi
Why market Italian relies as much on intuition and gesture as on precision

This episode is perfect if you want to feel more confident standing at a counter in Italy, following rapid speech, and ordering without stress.

🎧 Listen again with fresh ears, and you may catch expressions and rhythms you missed the first time.

Or listen to the entire market episode (Bonus Episode 10) on YouTube with subtitles here.
https://youtu.be/OWUc_xEJqV4

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:16 Misure e quantità nei mercati italiani
2:45 Richieste in base al peso
4:19 Spessore delle fette
7:04 La Rosticceria – Domanda Due
7:22 La Rosticceria – Estratto Due
9:17 Tagli di carne e di pollo
12:43 Altri Termini Utili che Sentirai al Mercato
13:29 Arrotolato e Ripieno
14:53 La Rosticceria – Domanda Tre
15:22 La Rosticceria – Estratto Tre
18:46 Il Banco dei Casalinghi
19:25 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Domanda Uno
19:36 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Estratto Uno
20:30 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Domanda Due
20:38 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Estratto Due
22:11 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Domanda Tre
22:29 Il Banco dei Casalinghi – Estratto Tre
24:59 Wrap-up

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Bonus Episode 11 – Voci dal Mercato - in Review - Part A

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800

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This bonus episode breaks down authentic Italian market language: how to say “I’m last,” how to respond when a clerk switches to English, how to ask for a bag, and how to keep your conversation going in Italian.

We revisit real moments from the panetteria, clarify useful expressions, and explore four types of responses Italy-learners can use in everyday situations. Antonio adds his signature commentary, and some important “bella figura” insights.

In the next episode, we’ll step even deeper into the marketplace world and uncover the mysterious universe of Italian weights and measures, plus the names of cuts of meat and poultry.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
2:17 La Panetteria – Domanda 1
2:32 La Panetteria – Estratto 1
3:25 Risposta alla Domanda 1 – Panetteria
4:01 The Command: Dimmi!
5:04 The Command: Ripetere!
7:17 Sì, grazie
8:28 Tutto a posto
9:28 La Panetteria – Domanda 2
10:02 La Panetteria – Estratto 2
11:24 Risposta alla Domanda 2 – Panetteria
11:48 La Panetteria – Domanda e Risposta 3
13:04 Essere in
14:11 Sia... che
17:42 Sgobbare
18:47 La Rosticceria – Domanda 1
19:49 La Rosticceria – Estratto 1
20:28 Risposta alla Domanda – Rosticceria
22:36 Quick Pronunciation Moment: Coscia
22:48 Would You Like Me to Speak English?
26:44 Wrap-up

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Bonus Episode 10 - Through the Italian Market Stalls: A Morning Among the Vendors

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

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🎙 Bonus Episode 10 - A Morning at the Market | Real Italian Listening Practice

Welcome to a special bonus episode!

View this episode as a video onYouTube here.
https://youtu.be/OWUc_xEJqV4

If you'd like the transcript in a clean, readable format, you can find it in the Substack post for this episode, and you’ll also find the version with English translation there

👉 Click here to view my blog post on Substack

Today I’m taking you with me to a weekly mercato in Northern Italy, where I recorded three real interactions with local vendors: at the panetteria, the rosticceria, and the banco di casalinghi.

🎧 This entire episode is in Italian, complete with my natural mistakes and the gentle corrections from the vendors, a truly authentic listening experience.

🎥 About the video on YouTube

The YouTube version includes:
– Italian captions
– Watercolor-style illustrations from the market
–Real conversations recorded live

💬 What you’ll hear and learn:
– Everyday Italian used while shopping
– How to order focaccia, roasted chicken drumsticks, and a household necessity, rubber gloves
– Useful expressions like scontrino, multa salata, più grande, con buccia?, and of course guanti di gomma
– Real, spontaneous Italian spoken at natural speed

✨ Why this episode helps:
Even with fast speech or background noise, listening to real interactions at the market helps train your ear and makes you feel more confident with everyday Italian.

Siete pronti? Andiamo! 🧺

⏳ CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:17 Benvenuti al mercato
03:12 Entrando nella panetteria
09:56 Alla rosticceria
13:39 Al banco di casalinghi
16:18 Domande di comprensione
17:56 Wrap-up

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Episode 14 - Before or After? - The Art of Italian Adjectives (Part A)

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:00:00 -0800

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Episode 14 – Before or After? The Art of Italian Adjectives (Part A)

Podcast: We Learn Italian Step by Step | Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and transcript for episodes 14 and 15 <--
(Available to show supporters)

Why does Italian sometimes say una donna anziana but un lungo cappotto scuro? Why la prossima fermata but una sedia comoda? And what’s the difference between bel film and film bellissimo?

In this first part of our two-episode exploration of Italian adjective placement, we look at the foundational rules—the ones that help everything else make sense. With plenty of examples, guided practice, and a few theatrical detours from Antonio (including a cameo from Dante himself…), you’ll learn:

✨ The default pattern: why most Italian adjectives naturally come after the noun
✨ The four groups that typically move before the noun: identity, quantity, order, and structure
✨ Past participles as adjectives and how they behave
✨ When Italian shifts word order for expressive effect (and why we’re saving the big explanations for Part B)
🎧 Guided Story Practice: You’ll listen to Le Pagine del Passato – Chapter 2, Part 2 at slow speed, filling in noun-adjective combinations as the story unfolds
🎭 Bonus banter: Antonio shares a “memory” of giving Dante advice in the selva oscura—whether you believe him is another story…

At the end of the episode, you’ll hear the story again at natural speed and review the key phrases you identified.

Next episode (Part B): We’ll dive into adjectives that change meaning depending on their position—yes, including that famous pair bel film vs. film bellissimo.

Take it slow, enjoy the patterns, and let the rhythm of Italian guide you—piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
03:28 The Default Rule
06:36 Practice 1 – The Default Rule
08:19 Practice 2 – Examples from the Story
10:32 Adjectives that Come BEFORE the Noun
11:55 Practice 3 – Adjectives Before the Noun
16:20 Recap
19:19 Practice 4 – Before or After?
21:36 Le Pagine del Passato – Chapter 2 Part 2
25:37 Review Answers – Story Interaction Exercise
28:34 Replay Chapter 2 Part 2 – Normal Speed
31:22 Wrap-up

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👀 Bonus Episode 09 Preview – Shadows, Figures, and Hidden Voices – Chap 2 Part 2

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800

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🎧 Bonus Episode 08 Preview – Shadows, Figures, and Hidden Voices – Chap 2 Part 2

In this preview, we take the first steps into Chapter 2, Part 2 of Le Pagine del Passato. Strange meetings in the city, elegant streets, and hidden voices set the atmosphere.

You’ll hear:
🏙️ Category 1: City & Places with words like avvocato, pareti, raffinate, and centro città.
💡 Contextual stories, active recall, and a mini quiz to test yourself.

In the full version of this bonus episode, we continue with four more categories: people and descriptions, everyday objects and actions, gestures, and feelings that deepen the suspense and prepare you for the next part of the story.

Step into the city, practice your Italian vocabulary, and get a taste of the mystery that is about to unfold.

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Episode 13 - Adverbs of Place - Finding Your Way in Italian

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:00:00 -0800

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🎧 Episode 13 - dverbs of Place - Finding Your Way in Italian

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and transcript for this episode <--
(Available to show supporters)

Today we dive into gli avverbi di luogo — adverbs of place. These small but powerful words like qui, lì, lassù, laggiù, dentro, fuori, and dappertutto help paint a scene and make your Italian sound natural and confident.

We return to our story outside the train station. The mysterious woman disappears, Zina arrives, and Antonio has very strong biscotti opinions. Then we break down adverbs of place step by step with examples and speaking practice.

You'll learn how to say:
• here vs there (qui/qua, lì/là)
• up there/down there (lassù/laggiù)
• inside/outside (dentro/fuori)
• above/below (sopra/sotto)
• near/far (vicino/lontano)
• in front/behind (davanti/dietro)
• everywhere/nowhere (dappertutto/da nessuna parte)

We also explore when to use a and da with location words so you sound more like a native speaker.

📚 You’ll practice:
– Using adverbs of place naturally
– Story-based speaking prompts
– Telling someone to come here, go there, look up, wait outside, and more
– Key differences like vicino vs vicino a and fuori vs fuori da

Next time, we finally step into the lawyer’s office… and the mystery deepens. What did Nonna Maria leave Mariella?

⏳ CHAPTERS
03:24 - What is an Adverb?
06:06 - Adverbs vs Prepositions
08:50 - Avverbi di luogo: Example 1
09:22 - Avverbi di luogo: Example 2
09:45 - Avverbi di luogo: Example 3
10:26 - Avverbi di luogo: Example 4
10:42 - Recap of Story Examples
11:48 - Essential Adverbs of Place
11:53 - Group 1: Here/There
13:51 - Practice: Group 1
14:32 - Group 2: Inside/Outside, Above/Below
18:17 - Practice: Group 2
20:32 - Group 3: Near/Far, Front/Behind
22:34 - Group 4: Everywhere/Nowhere
23:34 - Practice: Groups 3 & 4
25:59 - Combination Practice Round 1
28:21 - Combination Practice Round 2
32:48 - Wrap-up & Preview

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Bonus Episode 08 Preview - Dove si trova il pacco? – A Neighborly Mystery of Italian Commands

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:00:00 -0800

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🎧 Bonus Episode 8 Preview - Dove si trova il pacco? – A Neighborly Mystery of Italian Commands

Elena’s package has disappeared, and the clock is ticking before her nonna’s birthday! Follow the mystery from the very beginning in this preview of our newest Power Up story. In the full version, you’ll practice all types of Italian commands (formal, informal, reflexive, negative, irregular, and with pronouns!) across four scenes, each with guided review and a replay.

👉 Subscribe to listen to the full adventure and speak Italian as the story unfolds!

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Episode 12 - Trust Yourself… or Don’t! – Italian Negative Reflexive Commands in Action

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Episode 12 - Trust Yourself… or Don’t! – Italian Negative Reflexive Commands in Action

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(Available to show supporters)

In this episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano, we return to Le Pagine del Passato, where Mariella meets a mysterious woman who tells her, “Fidati del tuo istinto.” But what if she wanted to say the opposite - “Non ti fidare”?

We’ll explore how Italian forms negative reflexive commands, discover when to use non ti riposare instead of riposati, and review how pronouns shift position in negative imperatives. Along the way, we’ll revisit common commands and compare formal and informal forms.

By the end, you’ll feel more confident recognizing and using negative reflexive commands - and ready to put them into practice in real contexts.

✨ Coming up next:
In our upcoming Bonus Power Up story, Il Pacco Misterioso – Parte 1 e 2, you’ll join Elena, Chiara, and Marco as they try to solve the mystery of a missing package, while putting all the command forms you’ve learned into action. It’s a lively, real-world story full of useful vocabulary, natural Italian, and everyday expressions to reinforce everything we’ve studied so far.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
0:26 Le Pagine del Passato – Capitolo Due Part 1b (Full Translation)
4:20 Welcome to Episode 12
5:54 Review Formation of Negative Commands
6:12 Practice Negative Informal Commands
6:48 Review Negative Formal Commands
7:38 Review Reflexive Commands
8:20 Negative Reflexive Commands with Pronouns
10:25 Story Connection
11:06 Practice with Negative Reflexive Commands
13:52 Flexibility of Reflexive Pronoun Positioning
16:53 Intro to Bonus Power Up Story
18:30 Wrap-up

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Episode 11 - The Rebel Verbs: Mastering Italian's Irregular Commands

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Episode 11 - The Rebel Verbs: Mastering Italian's Irregular Commands

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In this episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, Myra and Antonio return to the story “Le Pagine del Passato” to uncover a new set of Italian imperatives—this time, the irregular ones!

After revisiting the mysterious encounter under the lamplight, they dive into real-life examples of how to use the most common irregular commands, like fa’, da’, di’, sta’, va’, sii, abbi, and vieni. Along the way, they explore how these forms work in both formal and informal situations—and even how to combine them with pronouns to say things like dimmi tutto! and non glielo dare!

But that’s not all: the lesson takes a delicious turn when Paolo reappears in the kitchen, still determined to make tea… in a moka pot. Myra and Antonio step in with a role-play full of imperatives, laughter, and a few “irregular” surprises of their own.

By the end of this episode, you’ll not only understand the eight most important irregular commands in Italian—you’ll also know what happens when you tell someone “Vieni qui e porta il tè!”

☕ Grammar Focus: Irregular imperatives, double pronouns with commands, and -ISC verbs in the imperative
🎭 Story Connection: Messages from Beyond – Part 1B
💬 Expressions You’ll Hear:

Sta’ attento! – Be careful!
Abbi fiducia! – Have faith!
Vieni qui! – Come here!
Non giudicate prima di averlo assaggiato! – Don’t judge before you’ve tried it!

Irregular or not, this episode proves that Italian commands—and even Paolo’s tea—can go down magnificently well.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro
2:24 – Replay of Chapter 2 Part 1B
3:32 – Review of Commands in This Part of the Story
4:25 – Comprehension Q&A
5:25 – Which Command Was the Irregular One?
6:39 – Giving Commands to Loro
7:27 – Irregular Commands
9:42 – Everyday Examples of Irregular Commands
12:21 – Essere and Avere Commands
14:15 – Quick Review of Common Irregular Commands
14:55 – Irregular Venire
16:11 – Irregular Formal Commands
18:12 – Role Play Exercise
19:46 – Commands with Double Pronouns
21:14 – Negative Commands with Double Pronouns
23:08 – ISC Commands
24:57 – Pronunciation Tip: Hard vs. Soft Sounds
27:40 – How ISC Verbs Behave in Negative Commands
29:25 – Pronouns in the Negative with ISC Commands
30:32 – Noi and Voi Forms of ISC Commands
31:33 – Wrap-Up

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Episode 10 - Gentle Orders and Friendly Advice

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -0700

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Episode 10 – Gentle Orders, Friendly Advice: Forming the Imperativo

🎧 Episode 10 – Gentle Orders, Friendly Advice
Podcast: We Learn Italian Step by Step | Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

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In this episode, we step deeper into the imperativo—Italian commands that can sound sharp, polite, or even affectionate depending on how they’re used.

With Antonio (always ready to “command”), Paolo (ever the critic), and Myra guiding the way, we explore:

How to form regular imperativo with -ARE, -ERE, and -IRE verbs.
Why tu and Lei seem to “switch” endings with -ARE verbs.
How to attach pronouns in positive commands (Parlami!, Leggilo!, Dormici sopra!).
The rules for negative commands: tu uses non + infinitive (Non parlare!), while Lei, noi, voi keep the imperative form.
Reflexive verbs in commands, from Riposati! to Si accomodi!

📖 Alongside grammar, Mariella’s mysterious encounter continues: a deserted piazza, a grandmotherly figure, and words of advice whispered in the night—Fidati del tuo istinto! Segui il tuo cuore…

🎭 Expect grammar surprises, dramatic banter (including Antonio’s big declaration: “Sono nato per comandare!”), and lots of practice turning commands into caring advice.

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
2:38 Story Chapter 2, Part 1A (review)
3:31 Answers to comprehension questions
5:04 Story Chapter 2, Part 1A (with English translation)
6:53 Answer to challenge question
7:28 Review: types of imperatives
8:05 Verb “switch” explained
9:28 How to form regular commands
13:05 Practice with regular commands
15:30 Adding pronouns to commands
17:21 Negative imperatives (tu form)
18:11 Negative imperatives (Lei form)
19:11 Reflexive commands
21:15 Topics for the next episode
25:10 Practice: informal tu commands
26:51 Practice: formal Lei commands
29:43 Comprehension questions
30:40 Story Chapter 2, Part 1B (Italian only – slow speed)
32:15 Story Chapter 2, Part 1B (Italian only – normal speed)
33:33 Wrap-up

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Episode 9 - From Orders to Invitations: Introducing the Italian Imperativo

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Episode 9 – From Orders to Invitations: Introducing the Italian Imperativo
Podcast: We Learn Italian Step by Step | Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

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Welcome to Chapter 2! In this episode, we explore one of Italian’s most practical (and most used!) verb forms: l’imperativo - the command form.

But don’t be fooled: Italian commands aren’t just about barking orders. They can be warm invitations, gentle advice, or urgent instructions, all depending on tone and context.

✨ Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Eight essential everyday commands you’ll meet constantly in Italian, from Riposati! (Get some rest!) to Ascolta bene! (Listen carefully!).
How the same phrase can shift between direct orders, polite requests, or caring advice.
A lively back-and-forth between Antonio and Paolo - with coffee debates, playful interruptions, and plenty of laughs.
The beginning of Chapter 2 in Mariella’s story: a chilly evening at the Florence train station, an urgent message from her friend Zina, and a single imperative hidden in the dialogue for you to spot.

🎯 Grammar Focus: Introduction to the three shades of imperativo
📖 Story: Chapter 2, Part 1 — Mariella’s mysterious lawyer appointment begins
🎲 Interactive Challenge: Spot the hidden command in the story and decide which category it belongs to

Whether you’re giving directions, inviting a friend, or offering encouragement, this episode will help you start using Italian imperatives naturally — while following along with Mariella’s unfolding mystery.

0:00 Intro
1:59 Examples of Commands
3:25 Listening Instructions
5:37 Examples with Italian Translation
8:02 Welcome to Chapter 2
9:11 What is the Imperativo?
10:06 The Three Main Types of Imperativo
12:13 Test Your Understanding of the 3 Types of Imperativo
16:39 Chapter 2 Part 1A – Slow Speed
18:00 Chapter 2 Part 1A – Normal Speed
19:20 Comprehension Questions
21:03 Wrap-up

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👀 Bonus Episode 07B Preview - Italian Emotions, Shadows, and Sudden Turns

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 07B Preview – Emotions, Shadows, and Sudden Turns – Chap 2 Part 1

In Bonus Episode 7A, we already opened the door to Chapter 2 with two free categories of vocabulary. Now, in this short preview of 7B, Antonio steps in with his usual energy… and even takes a little initiative of his own.

You’ll get a taste of the atmosphere that sets the scene for Chapter 2, along with Antonio’s unexpected announcement about sharing part of the bonus content with everyone. But this is only the beginning.

The full version of Bonus Episode 7B continues with three more categories of essential vocabulary:
🧥 People & Objects
⚡ Commands (Imperatives)
👣 Movement & Sound

Together, they complete the set of words you’ll need for mysterious encounters at the station.

To access the full episode, with contextual stories, recall exercises, and quizzes, become a show supporter today.

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🛠️ Bonus Episode 07A - Emotions, Shadows, and Sudden Turns - Chap 2 Part 1

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 07A – Emotions, Shadows, and Sudden Turns – Chap 2 Part 1

In this first half of our vocabulary gateway into Chapter 2: Mysterious Encounters at the Station, we begin exploring the words that set the scene.

Together with Antonio, we look at the first two categories you will need to follow the suspense:

--> Vocabulary Flashcards <--

🌧️ Category 1: Weather & Environment – from vento and pioggia to ombre on the marciapiede.
💓 Category 2: Emotions & Reactions – words of tension, breath, and sudden turns of the cuore.

Through mini-stories, active recall, and quizzes, you will practice using this vocabulary in real contexts. Strange weather, flickering streetlights, hidden desires, and whispered commands are the clues that begin Chapter 2.

And this is only the start. In the next bonus episode, we complete the vocabulary journey with people, objects, movement, and the language of commands.

--> Vocabulary Flashcards <--

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Mini Episode 07 – The Moment It Happened: Passato Prossimo in Action

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Welcome to We learn Italian step by step / Impariamo l’italiano piano pian

🎧 Mini Episode 07 – The Moment It Happened: Passato Prossimo in Action

In this mini episode, we take a closer look at how the passato prossimo works on its own and alongside the imperfetto. First, we review the building blocks of the tense and practice with verbs drawn from Chapter 1 of our story. Then we expand with a few new verbs and see how quick “snapshots” of completed action can suddenly interrupt the flowing background of the imperfetto. Along the way, Antonio keeps the energy high while we discover how these two past tenses team up to make stories come alive.

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Mini Episode 6 – Maybe, If Only, Hopefully… Magari! An Italian Language Journey

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Welcome to We Learn Italian Step by Step / Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

🎧 Mini Episode 6 – Learn Italian with Magari, Rimbocchiamoci, and Studenti Saggi

In this mini episode, we dive into three memorable pieces of Italian. First, the tiny but powerful word magari, which can mean maybe, hopefully, or even if only. Next, we roll up our sleeves with the expression rimbocchiamoci le maniche, and explore how similar verbs work when Italians do things “together.” Finally, we return to a question from Episode 1: what should we call our community of listeners? Thanks to a listener’s suggestion, a new nickname is on the table—Studenti saggi.

Listen in, practice aloud, and magari, you’ll find these expressions becoming part of your own Italian step by step.

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Mini Episode 05 – Imperfetto Rebels: Irregular Verbs & Fishy Proverbs

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Mini Episode 05 – Imperfetto Rebels: Irregular Verbs & Fishy Proverbs

In this mini episode of Impariamo l’italiano piano piano, we turn to the “celebrities” of the imperfetto: irregular verbs. From essere, always stealing the spotlight, to fare, dire, and bere, we’ll break down their stems and show you how they fit into everyday storytelling.

But verbs aren’t the only stars today. We’ll also explore some classic Italian sayings about fish, from the well-known chi dorme non piglia pesci (“you snooze, you lose”) to the expressive sentirsi come un pesce fuor d’acqua (“to feel like a fish out of water”). With grammar, proverbs, and a seaside story from Antonio, you’ll see how irregular verbs come alive in real Italian.

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Mini Episode 04 – Regular Verbs in the Imperfetto: Conjugations & Clues

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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In this mini episode, we shine the spotlight on regular verbs in the imperfetto. Together, we’ll walk through new examples from all three verb groups (-are, -ere, and -ire), practice their conjugations, and see how they flow naturally in everyday sentences.

But it’s not just about charts and endings. Antonio also brings along a few playful riddles to test your memory. Can you guess the right verb in the imperfetto? Pause, think, and then check yourself against Antonio’s answers.

By the end, you’ll have added a new set of regular verbs to your toolbox and seen them in action, all while keeping things light, fun, and a little unpredictable.

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:48 Regular Verbs in the Imperfetto
11:00 Riddle 1
12:31 Riddle 2
14:02 Riddle 3
14:59 Wrap Up

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Mini Episode 3 - From Wolves to Formal You in Everyday Italian

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Mini Episode 3 – From Wolves to Formal You in Everyday Italian

In this mini episode, we revisit three everyday Italian expressions that popped up in Episode 2 of our story - each one revealing something unique about how Italians communicate.

You’ll learn:

How Italians wish you good luck with In bocca al lupo!
What una bella sfida really means (hint: it's more than just a “beautiful challenge”)
Why che mi racconti di bello? is a friendly way to say “What’s new?” — and when not to use it

We’ll also explore the difference between tu and Lei, and how to know when to speak informally or formally in Italian.

At the end of the episode, Antonio brings the expressions to life in a short scene, followed by a full replay with English and Italian translations.

Whether you're listening for vocabulary, structure, or cultural nuance, this episode will help you understand — and use — these expressions with confidence.

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Mini Episode 02 – Small Italian Words with Big Reactions

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎧Mini Episode 2 – Small Italian Words with Big Reactions: “Come on!”, “What’s wrong?”, “Whatever.”
Featuring: Dai, su! – Che c’è? – Va be…

What do you say in Italian when someone’s stalling, being dramatic, or just not listening? In this short episode, we’ll unpack three everyday expressions: Dai, su! (Come on!), Che c’è? (What’s wrong?), and Va be… (Whatever.). All drawn from Episode 1 of the podcast — and all worth adding to your spoken Italian.

✨ Want to participate? Leave Myra a voice message using the link here. You might even hear your voice in a future episode!

⏳ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:04 Focus of Today’s Mini Episode
01:24 Expression 1: Come on! (Dai, su!)
03:20 Expression 2: What’s wrong? (Che c’è?)
04:58 Expression 3: Whatever. (Va be…)
06:12 Recap & Practice Invitation
06:52 Wrap up

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Mini Episode 01 – Che crudeltà! / What Cruelty! And a Special Interview

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Mini Episode 1 – Behind the Voice: Meet Antonio + Learn “Che crudeltà!”

In this short and playful mini-episode, Myra shares an update on the podcast, reveals the story behind Antonio (your ever-charming Italian narrator), and breaks down a handy Italian expression: “Che crudeltà!” (What cruelty!).

You’ll hear an excerpt from Myra’s interview on the How to Podcast show, find out how Antonio came to life, and learn how to use the Italian “che + noun” structure to express emotion like a native.

✨ Want to participate? Leave Myra a voice message using the link here. You might even hear your voice in a future episode!

Here's the link to Myra's interview on Dave Campbell's "How to Podcast" podcast.

And here's Dave's website: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

⏳ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:35 How This Mini Series Works
02:26 Podcast Interview Excerpt: Behind the Scenes with Antonio
06:19 Italian Expression: Che crudeltà!
08:36 Try It Yourself + Outro

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Episode 08 - It Was a Dark and Stormy Verb - Meet the Passato Remoto

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Episode 08 – Introduction to Passato Remoto
Podcast: We Learn Italian Step by Step | Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

--> Link to Post for Study Guide and transcript for this episode <--
(Available to show supporters)

Ready for a taste of Italian literary drama? In this episode, we dip our toes into il passato remoto—the stylish past tense often found in books, fairy tales, and formal storytelling. But don’t worry, we’re keeping it simple: just the third person singular.

Together with Antonio, we explore how to recognize and understand this elegant one-word tense—no auxiliary verbs, no avere or essere in sight. You’ll hear side-by-side examples in passato prossimo and passato remoto, and learn to spot patterns in regular and irregular forms like:

versò, aprì, credé (regular)
concesse, disse, bevve (irregular)
pianse, perse, venne (emotional and dramatic!)
fu, fece, ebbe, stette (the rebellious classics)

🎭 Expect mini-stories, western flair, moody train scenes, and lots of memorable verbs—presented one manageable step at a time.

📄 Missed the underlining activity?
Check your answers with the updated PDF from Chapter 1, where passato remoto verbs are clearly marked:
👉 Click here to download it

🎉 This episode wraps up Season 1, but Mariella’s story—and your Italian learning adventure—are far from over. Season 2 is just around the corner, with new verbs, new chapters, and even more mistero…

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro
3:54 - Passato Remoto story
6:24 - Use of auxiliary verbs
7:21 - Working hand in hand with the imperfetto
8:16 - Recognizing the Passato remoto
9:03 - Focus on third person singular
9:38 - How the Passato Remoto is formed
14:03 - Irregular verbs in Passato Remoto
14:49 - -sse group of irregular verbs
18:46 - Verbs with double consonants
27:56 - Most common irregular verbs in Passato Prossimo
35:33 - Recap of all irregular verbs covered
37:24 - Wrap up

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Episode 07 - Chapter One Review

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Episode Seven: Chapter One Review

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(Available to show supporters)

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

📌 Episode Summary

We’ve reached the end of Chapter 1 of Le Pagine del Passato! In this special recap episode, you’ll hear the entire chapter in three immersive formats—first in Italian, then in a bilingual version (English + Italian), and finally as a literary retelling in passato remoto, the tense often used in Italian storytelling.

🧠 Pro Tip

Want to take your listening further? After hearing the passato remoto version, take a short break—then jump back and listen to it again. Use the chapter markers to revisit that section, and this time, pay attention to whether the verbs use a helping verb like essere or avere. You might be surprised by what you notice!

📄 Printable transcript of the passato remoto section. Listen to the episode for instructions.
👉 Download the PDF

💛 Like the podcast?

Please consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or clicking “Support the Show” in the description. Supporters get access to bonus mini-lessons, vocabulary practice stories, quizzes, and interactive flashcards.

OR... if you want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
3:12 - Chapter 1 – Part 1 (Italian Only)
4:01 - Chapter 1 – Part 2 (Italian Only)
6:01 - Chapter 1 – Part 3 (Italian Only)
8:10 - Chapter 1 – Part 4 (Italian Only)
9:46 - Chapter 1 – Part 1 (English & Italian)
11:57 - Chapter 1 – Part 2 (English & Italian)
16:33 - Chapter 1 – Part 3 (English & Italian)
22:13 - Chapter 1 – Part 4 (English & Italian)
26:27 - Passato Remoto Begins
30:47 - Wrap up

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🎤 Interview Episode 02 - Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎤 Interview Episode Two – A Conversation with Chiara Brambilla
Teaching, Writing & Learning from Mistakes—Piano Piano

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

In this episode, we sit down with Chiara Brambilla, the creator of the blog SOS Italian and author of the popular SOS grammar books. Chiara teaches Italian online and shares practical tools for learners of all levels—especially those navigating the challenges of intermediate Italian.

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

Together, we explore:
✔️ How learning a language is a bit like raising a child (seriously!)
✔️ The difference between passato prossimo and passato remoto
✔️ When and why translations can actually help you learn
✔️ Tips for staying motivated and making visible progress at the B1–B2 level
✔️ A fun expression you can use the next time you feel out of place

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

Chiara also shares a free downloadable exercise to practice the imperative with pronouns—perfect for learners who want to strengthen their grammar in context.

📥 Click here to download the exercise PDF (Imperative + Pronoun Practice)

If you’d like to explore more of Chiara’s work, check out:

🌐 Her website: sositalian.com
📚 Her books: SOS Italian Verbs and SOS Italian Pronominal Verbs
(both include exercises)
💻 Her online grammar course (for A1–A2 learners):
SOS Italian Grammar in Action – Diamond Plan

🎧 Tune in and be encouraged by a teacher who’s helping learners all over the world grow—piano piano.

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:50 May we speak informally?
04:20 Supporting Italian Learners as a Fellow Learner
05:41 Online Teaching and the SOS Italian Blog
07:05 Becoming a mom – a new balance
08:31 Learning Like a Child – Natural Analogies
10:19 Behind the Scenes of Our Story
10:38 Two Tenses, Two Perspectives – Telling the Past in Italian
14:24 The Usefulness of Translations in Learning Materials
16:47 The Art of Choosing What (and When) to Teach
17:39 The Intermediate Level – Challenges and Strategies
19:53 Feeling Out of Place – One Idiom Worth Knowing
20:53 Where to Find Chiara Online
21:15 Exclusive Resources for Our Listeners
22:26 Thanks and Final Farewell

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

👀 Bonus Episode 06 Preview – Vocabulary for our Interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 06 Preview – Vocabulary for our Interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla
Vocabulary Boost for Interview Episode 02 – Preview Version

-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Interview Episode 2 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

Before listening to our engaging interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla—Italian teacher, translator, and creator of the website SOS Italian—take a moment to preview some of the key vocabulary that will help you follow along more confidently.

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

In this special preview, we explore the first of five themed vocabulary categories:

🧑‍🏫 Category 1 – Teaching & Learning Perspectives
✔️ Words tied to language education and learner experience
✔️ Contextual storytelling and slow/fast readings by Antonio
✔️ Active recall exercises and a mini quiz
✔️ Grammar notes to support retention and usage

🌟 What You’ll Learn:
Terms like madrelingua, apprendimento, esperienza personale, and others that describe the mindset and journey of a teacher—and a student—who both grow by learning piano piano.

🎯 Want the full experience?
The complete bonus episode includes all five categories:
🌍 Global Connections
👶 Learning Like a Child
🧱 Grammar Awareness
💬 Motivation & Idiomatic Language

👉 To unlock the full bonus episode with flashcards, grammar notes, and extended vocabulary training, click Support the Show.

🎧 The curtain will rise… and yes, Antonio will be there.

⏳ Chapter Markers (Preview):
0:00 Intro
1:40 Category 1 – Teaching & Learning Perspectives
5:17 Active Recall – Category 1
7:11 Mini Quiz – Category 1
08:54 Wrap up and how to unlock the full bonus episode

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

🛠️ Bonus Episode 06 - Vocabulary for our Interview with Chiara Brambilla

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 06 – Vocabulary for our Interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla
To Prepare for Interview Episode 02

-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Interview Episode 2 <--

Before you dive into our insightful conversation with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla—Italian teacher, translator, and creator of SOS Italian—join us for a guided walk through the vocabulary you’ll hear in the interview. This bonus episode is your chance to build familiarity with key terms, expressions, and grammar concepts in advance.

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

🌟 Highlights:
✔️ Teaching perspectives and learner empathy
✔️ Online learning and global connection
✔️ Parallels between adult and child language learning
✔️ Grammar tools and passive understanding
✔️ Motivation, idioms, and reflective learning

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🎯 Practice Makes Progress:
Each word is introduced through a short story, followed by active recall exercises, mini quizzes, and grammar notes to help you internalize form and meaning. Whether you're reflecting on your esperienza personale or trying to immergerti nella lingua, this episode prepares your ears—and mind—for what’s to come.

📜 The full transcript (with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories) is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🃏 Looking for more ways to engage? Try the interactive vocabulary flashcards for this episode, linked in the transcript and episode notes.

🎧 Let’s get ready to meet Dottoressa Brambilla— and enjoy a conversation that inspires, piano piano, passo dopo passo.

⏳ Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro
1:58 Category 1 – Teaching & Learning Perspectives
5:35 Category 1 – Active Recall
7:29 Category 1 – Mini Quiz
9:12 Category 2 – Online Learning & Global Connection
12:45 Category 2 – Active Recall
15:52 Category 2 – Mini Quiz
18:04 Category 3 – Learning Like a Child
22:33 Category 3 – Active Recall
24:31 Category 3 – Mini Quiz
27:14 Category 4 – Grammar & Language Tools
30:52 Category 4 – Active Recall
32:56 Category 4 – Active Recall (continued)
35:46 Category 5 – Motivation, Idioms & Advice
39:17 Category 5 – Active Recall
41:12 Category 5 – Mini Quiz
43:08 Wrap-up

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Read my blog here
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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

🎤 Interview Episode 01 - Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0700

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🎤 Interview Episode One – A Conversation with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Teaching, Learning & Staying Motivated—Piano Piano

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

In this special interview episode, we sit down with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf, a language educator at Wellesley College and the creator of one of the most respected Italian courses on EdX.

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

Together, we explore:
✔️ The challenges and joys of teaching Italian both in person and online
✔️ How technology—including voice recognition and A.I.—is shaping language learning
✔️ Why B1 learners often feel stuck, and how to break through the plateau
✔️ Common mistakes to focus on (and which ones to ignore)
✔️ The power of proverbs, poetry, and speaking to yourself while walking!

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

Whether you’re just getting started or learning Italian piano piano, Professoressa Daniela shares practical advice and encouragement for every stage of the journey.

📌 Don’t miss her final tip: a simple daily habit that could transform your learning.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by a teacher who’s helped thousands of learners fall in love with the Italian language.

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:02 Professoressa Daniela’s Journey into Teaching
03:24 Q1 – In-Person vs Online Teaching
06:48 Q2 – Tech & AI in Language Learning
09:53 Q3 – Challenges at B1 Level
15:07 Q4 – Building Speaking Confidence
17:54 Q5 – Rote Practice Without Boredom
20:50 Q6 – Using Translation
23:29 Q7 – Regional Variations & Dialects
26:10 Q8 – Favorite Phrase & Final Advice
28:46 Wrap Up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

👀 Bonus Episode 05 Preview – Vocabulary for our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0700

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👀 Bonus Episode 05 Preview– Vocabulary for our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Vocabulary Boost for Interview Episode 01 – Preview Version

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes:

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included):

In this special bonus episode, we preview the vocabulary you'll hear in our interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf—creator of the renowned Italian Language and Culture course on edX.

-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Interview Episode 1 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

We begin with one full category:
🏫 Academic & Educational Language
✔️ Vocabulary in context
✔️ Active recall practice
✔️ Mini quiz with Antonio
✔️ Clear grammar notes to deepen understanding

🎯 Want more? The full episode includes four additional categories:
🧠 Study habits & strategies
🗣️ Language & communication
🧱 Grammar awareness
🧳 Cultural & regional curiosities

To access the complete version—with all five vocabulary sections, quizzes, and interactive support—click Support the Show.

🎧 Learn more. Understand more. Enjoy the interview piano piano—one word at a time.

Support the show

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 06 – Reflecting on Ourselves: Reflexive Verbs in Chapter One

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Podcast Episode Six: Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano

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Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

In this episode, we dive into i verbi riflessivi—reflexive verbs that describe actions we do to or for ourselves. You’ll learn how to recognize them, how to conjugate them in the present tense and passato prossimo, and how to use them naturally in context.

With examples from Chapter One of our story, plus a few poetic detours (thanks to Antonio), this episode marks the end of the first chapter—and a major milestone in your Italian learning journey!

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🌟 Highlights:

✔️ What makes a verb reflexive—and how to spot it in Italian.
✔️ Step-by-step conjugation of realizzarsi, chiedersi, and aprirsi in present and past tenses.
✔️ Examples from the story—and how reflexive verbs deepen meaning.
✔️ A final review with practice sentences and pronunciation support.
✔️ A preview of what’s coming next (hint: vocabulary, flashcards, and a very special guest!).

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
Want to feel more confident before our upcoming interview?
Be sure to check out Bonus Episode 04 – Vocabulary from our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf.

⏳ Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Intro
5:03 - Examples of Reflexive Sentences
7:09 - Reflexive Pronouns Explained
7:58 - How to Recognize Reflexive Verbs
8:49 - How to Form Reflexive Verbs (Steps)
10:10 - Conjugating an -ARE Reflexive Verb: realizzarsi
12:07 - Conjugating an -ERE Reflexive Verb: chiedersi
13:52 - Conjugating an -IRE Reflexive Verb: aprirsi
15:22 - Sample Reflexive Sentences for Practice
18:46 - Reflexive Verbs in Passato Prossimo
20:16 - Steps to Form Reflexive Verbs in Passato Prossimo
22:39 - Conjugating realizzarsi in Passato Prossimo
24:56 - Conjugating chiedersi in Passato Prossimo
26:09 - Conjugating aprirsi in Passato Prossimo
27:27 - Chapter 1, Part 4 – English/Italian Translation
32:37 - Wrap-up + What's Next

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👀 Bonus Episode 04 Preview – Passato Prossimo: Your Practice Power-Up! 🏋️‍♀️

Tue, 27 May 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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Curious about what’s inside our bonus episodes? In this preview of Bonus Episode 04 – Passato Prossimo: Your Practice Power-Up!, you’ll get a taste of the interactive practice session designed to strengthen your Italian grammar muscles.

We’ll review how to form the passato prossimo, warm up with a mix of essere and avere conjugations, and even tackle the tricky è vs. e pronunciation point.

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎧 Want the full episode, including irregular verb families, essential examples, and a final quiz? Click Support the Show to unlock this full bonus episode—plus all other premium content.

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You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

Grazie di cuore for learning piano piano with us!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:08 Recap – Forming Passato Prossimo
01:37 Quick Tip – “And” vs “Is” in Italian
03:01 Mixed Practice – *Essere* & *Avere*
06:44 How to Unlock the Full Bonus Episode

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 05: Secrets Revealed – Passato Prossimo Part 2

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Podcast Episode Five: Secrets Revealed – Passato Prossimo Part 2

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In this episode, we continue exploring the passato prossimo, focusing on how to recognize when to use it in a story—and how it shifts the action forward. Through Mariella’s memories and an unexpected visit from her friend Zina, we see how past events and new discoveries intertwine.

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✔️ How the passato prossimo creates movement and plot twists.
✔️ A review of your verb transformation assignment from Episode 4.
✔️ Practical tips on choosing between avere and essere as auxiliary verbs.
✔️ A lively moment with Antonio... and an unexpected guest!

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
Want even more hands-on practice?
We’ve created a special bonus episode—Episode 5A—where you can work through extra exercises on auxiliary verbs at your own pace.

📜 Care to follow along as you listen? Check out the transcript for this episode.

📚 Want more? Click Support the Show to access bonus episodes! Bonus content includes vocabulary previews, recall exercises, mini quizzes, and interactive flashcards to reinforce what you’ve learned.

🎧 Take it slow, embrace the process, and immerse yourself in Italian—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Chapter 1 Part 3 – English Translation with Italian
06:02 Introduction to Podcast
07:29 Review Assignment 1 – Verb Transformations
09:20 Review Assignment 2 – Passato Prossimo’s Effect on the Story
11:02 Recap of Passato Prossimo – Part 1
13:02 Practice Identifying Transitive Verbs
18:57 Review Conjugation of *Essere*
21:04 Formation of Past Participles with *Essere*
26:47 Chapter 1 Part 4 – Italian Only
31:08 Wrap Up

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👀 Bonus Episode 03 Preview – Vocabulary for Secrets Revealed

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 03 Preview – Vocabulary for Surprises, Storms & New Directions

-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 Part 4 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)

Vocabulary Boost for Chapter 1 Part 4 (introduced in Podcast Episode 5)

Curious about the vocabulary behind the final twists in Chapter 1? This special preview of our third bonus episode gives you early access to two thematic categories—Legal & Official Matters and Actions & Feelings—complete with contextual examples, active recall, and a playful mini quiz.

✨ Plus, enjoy a sneak peek of Antonio's theatrical flair… before he insists we save the rest for our supporters!

👉 Want the full episode with three complete categories, flashcards, and a poetic toast? Click Support the Show to unlock everything.

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

Support the show

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 04 - The Moment Everything Changes - Passato Prossimo Part 1

Mon, 05 May 2025 14:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Podcast Episode Four: The Moment Everything Changes - Passato Prossimo Part 1

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Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

In this episode, we take our first deep dive into the passato prossimo, the Italian past tense used for completed actions. Whether you’re still a novice in the realm of italian past tenses or if you've been practicing for a while, this tense helps you share past experiences with clarity and precision.

💛 Like the podcast? You can now buy me a coffee here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/welearnitalian

🌟 Highlights:

✔️ What makes passato prossimo different from imperfetto? A snapshot vs. a looping video!
✔️ How to form passato prossimo using avere + the past participle.
✔️ Practical examples drawn from Mariella’s story as she takes the first steps toward a life-changing discovery.

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
Listen, pause, and say the Italian before I do! With structured exercises, you’ll get hands-on experience forming sentences and internalizing this key tense. Plus, an assignment awaits to help you actively mettere in pratica (put into practice) what you've learned.

📚 Want more? Click Support the Show to access bonus episodes! Bonus content includes upcoming vocabulary presented in context, recall exercises, mini quizzes, and interactive flashcards to reinforce what you’ve learned.

🎧 Take it slow, embrace the process, and immerse yourself in Italian—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS

0:00 Passato Prossimo Examples
6:40 Examples with Italian translation
7:38 Episode intro
11:16 Formation of passato prossimo
12:24 Conjugation of avere
17:02 Formation of the participio passato
19:59 Avere or essere?
21:22 Vocabulary for practice exercise
22:10 Practice putting it all together
26:46 Assignment explained
30:20 First playback of Part 3
33:26 Second playback of part 3
35:42 Wrap up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

👀 Bonus Episode 02 Preview – Vocabulary for The Moment Everything Changes

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Bonus Episode 02 Preview – Vocabulary for Rainy Days and Heroic Tales
🌧️ A sneak peek at our second bonus episode – Vocabulary Boost for Chapter 1, Part 3 (coming in Episode 4)

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

Before stepping into the next part of our story, join us for this special preview of Bonus Episode 02—designed to help you absorb key Italian words and phrases before they appear in the narrative.

--> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 Part 3 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🧠 What’s Inside:
✔️ One complete vocabulary category: Missing Someone & Emotions
✔️ A slow and natural-speed Italian reading by Antonio
✔️ Active recall and a mini quiz to help you remember new words
✔️ A playful interruption from Antonio (of course)

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎁 Want more?
The full bonus episode includes three additional vocabulary categories, interactive flashcards, and grammar tips available in the transcript. To access everything, click Support the Show.

🎙 Thanks for listening to this special preview. Ci sentiamo presto!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:44 Category 1 – Missing Someone & Emotions – Contextual Intro
04:44 Category 1 – Active Recall
06:04 Category 1 – Mini Quiz
08:27 How to Unlock the Full Bonus Episode

Support the show

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 03 - Imperfetto in Action - The Imperfetto Part 3

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Podcast Episode Three: Impariamo l’italiano piano piano - Un impegno quotidiano

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In this episode, we continue our exploration of l’imperfetto as we follow Mariella’s journey through Florence. Through storytelling and guided practice, you’ll deepen your understanding of this essential past tense and see how it brings a narrative to life.

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
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🕰 Highlights:
✔️ A quick recap of our story so far—Mariella’s dreams, her connection to the ancient library, and the influence of her grandmother.
✔️ A deeper look at l’imperfetto in action—how it describes background details, past habits, and ongoing actions.
✔️ A guided Italian-English translation of Chapter 1, Part 2 of Le Pagine del Passato.

📜 The full transcript (with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories) is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

In this episode the transcript also includes a fill-in-the-blank quiz at the end!

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
Ready to put your skills to the test? We’ll work through key sentences together, identifying how l’imperfetto is used. Then, we’ll revisit your conjugation assignment from last episode—did you get all five verbs right?

🎧 Take it slow, embrace the process, and immerse yourself in Italian—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
8:43 Part 2 Italian with English translation
13:52 Assignment answers - 3 uses of imperfetto
22:40 Conjugation exercise
28:50 Replay of Chapter 1, Parts 1 and 2
31:37 Wrap up and next steps

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

Episode 02 - Crafting the Past - The Imperfetto Part 2

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Podcast Episode Two: Impariamo l’italiano piano piano - Un impegno quotidiano

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In this episode, we continue our journey through one of Italian’s most essential past tenses: l’imperfetto. We’ve already explored its key uses—descriptions, habits, and ongoing past actions—but now, we’ll take it a step further by learning how to form this beautifully melodic tense.

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🌟 Highlights:
✔️ Why l’imperfetto is one of the easiest tenses to conjugate.
✔️ A breakdown of regular verb endings (spoiler: no tricky stem changes!).
✔️ Examples from Mariella’s story, as she dreams of a more fulfilling life in Florence.

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
To reinforce what you learn today, I have a small assignment for you—conjugate five common verbs in l’imperfetto before the next episode. Check the transcript for this episode (or listen to the podcast) for the verbs to be conjugated. Trust me, a little practice goes a long way!

📜 The full transcript (with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories) is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎧 Take it slow, embrace the process, and immerse yourself in Italian—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Chapter 1 Part 1 – English Translation with Italian
02:21 Introduction
05:34 Imperfetto – Ease of Use
07:07 How Is the Imperfetto Formed?
15:26 Italian Imperfetto vs. English Past Tense
17:31 Assignment #1
18:57 Assignment #2 – Comprehension Questions
19:59 Chapter 1 Part 2 – Italian Only
23:14 Assignment #3 – Identify 3 Uses of Imperfetto
25:51 Wrap Up

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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com

👀 Bonus Episode 01 Preview – Crafting the Past

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

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🎧 Preview – Bonus Episode 01: Vocabulary for Dreamers
🌙 A sneak peek at the bonus episode that prepares you for Episode 2

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

Before we continue our story, let’s warm up with some essential Italian vocabulary! This preview gives you the first category from our bonus episode Vocabulary for Dreamers, along with a sample of the interactive learning style you’ll find in the full version.

--> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 Part 2 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🌟 In this preview:
✔️ A taste of key vocabulary introduced in context
✔️ A short active recall exercise and mini quiz
✔️ A playful interruption from Antonio, who’s orgogliosissimo to host the quiz in the full episode!

📜 The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎯 Want more?
Subscribers get access to the complete bonus episode, featuring five vocabulary categories, grammar notes, interactive flashcards, and a special quiz hosted by Antonio.

✨ Click Support the Showto unlock the full episode and take your Italian to the next level—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:54 Category 1 – Contextual Intro: Dreams & Goals
05:47 Category 1 – Active Recall
06:28 Category 1 – Mini Quiz
09:00 How to Unlock the Full Bonus Episode

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Episode 01 - The Poetry of the Past - The Imperfetto Part 1

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Welcome to We learn Italian step by step / Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

Episode 01 - The Poetry of the Past - The Imperfetto Part 1

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→ Link to vocabulary flashcards ←

In this episode, we'll begin our exploration of one of Italian's most poetic and versatile tenses: l’imperfetto. Through vivid examples and storytelling, we’ll uncover the beauty of this tense, used to describe past habits, ongoing actions, and background details.

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🌟 Highlights:

✔️ Why l’imperfetto is perfect for setting the scene in narratives.
✔️ Three key uses: habits, ongoing actions, and background descriptions.
✔️ Examples from Mariella’s story, set in the heart of Florence.

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
Even before we get into the conjugation of this melodic tense, you have the opportunity to practice with me as I provide the english version of examples and give you the opportunity to say the italian before I do.

📜 Care to follow along as you listen? Check out the transcript.

→ Link to vocabulary flashcards ←

🎧 Take it slow, embrace the process, and immerse yourself in Italian—piano piano!

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro Music
02:06 Examples with Italian Translation
06:18 Introduction to Podcast
08:04 Uses for Imperfetto
12:13 Play the Story – Chapter 1 Part 1
17:07 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Support the show

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Episode Zero - Welcome to Your Italian Journey (Start here 📍)

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700

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🎙 Welcome to We learn Italian step by step / Impariamo l’italiano piano piano

Benvenuti! If you're looking for an engaging way to improve your Italian—beyond textbooks and rigid grammar drills—you’re in the right place. This podcast blends storytelling with structured grammar practice, helping you learn naturally and step by step—piano piano.

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→ Link to vocabulary flashcards ←

Exclusive access to premium content!

In each episode, you’ll hear Italian in context, uncover key grammar points, and actively practice speaking. But before we jump into the story, let’s set you up for success by building some essential vocabulary.

Support the show – Get access to premium content including interactive flashcards, vocabulary mini stories, and grammar quizzes.

🌟 Highlights:

A warm welcome and an introduction to how this podcast works.
Why learning through stories helps you absorb Italian more effectively.
Key vocabulary to help you follow along in the upcoming episodes.
Interactive exercises to reinforce your learning.

→ Link to vocabulary flashcards ←

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

💛 Like the podcast? Want to say thanks without signing up?
You can buy me a coffee (no premium content included).

🎯 Practice Makes Perfect:
You’ll hear new words in meaningful sentences, practice active recall, and test yourself with a mini quiz. This immersive approach helps you think in Italian and build confidence without memorizing endless word lists.

🎧 Ready to kickstart your journey? Take it step by step—piano piano—and enjoy the process. Ci sentiamo presto!

⏳ CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro to Podcast
7:07 Key Vocabulary
9:41 Places & Locations
13:51 Active Recall 1
16:15 Mini Quiz 1
17:02 Home & Objects
18:40 Active Recall 2
19:08 Mini Quiz 2
20:08 Work & Daily Life
21:23 Active Recall 3
22:09 Mini Quiz 3
22:53 Reflections
24:02 Active Recall 4
24:19 Mini Quiz 4
24:40 Final Challenge
25:31 Wrap up and Next Steps

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We learn Italian step by step - Podcast Trailer: What to Expect

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0700

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🎧 We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano Podcast Trailer

Step into a story—and learn Italian piano piano.
In this short trailer, meet Myra, your host and fellow language learner, and Antonio Giovanni Maria di Rossi, a very opinionated Italian narrator. Together, they’ll introduce you to a podcast designed for upper beginner to intermediate learners who want to build fluency through mystery, meaning, and a touch of drama.

Each episode blends Italian storytelling with guided grammar, vocabulary, and interactive practice. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a journey.

📜 The full transcript is available at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com

Listen now to hear what awaits in Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano.

⏳ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Welcome to the Trailer
00:00:23 What’s This Podcast About?
00:00:55 The Story and the Structure
00:01:13 Meet Antonio!
00:01:58 A Taste of the Story
00:02:33 Ready to Join the Journey?

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on Impariamo l’italiano piano piano!
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Email: welearnpianopiano@gmail.com