Buondì. We all have attitudes, which may be helpful or otherwise. Our attitudes, to many aspects of our lives, including our approaches to language-learning, are likely to affect the outcomes of our actions. Think, for example, about work, about relationships, about bringing up children. What we think about these things affects what we do and […]

Buondì. An interesting emailed question from Karen, who writes: You’ve continually advised to read for the general gist, not word for word. I totally agree with this and have always done so. I read every EasyItalianNews email and without really trying, I believe my vocabulary has increased considerably. However in every Italian class I’ve been […]

Buondì. Big news! The Italian government hasn’t forgotten language schools after all! Though it’s clear we come way, way down their list of priorities, after bars, restaurants, shopping malls and so on. There’s a new decree out (signed yesterday), detailing the gradual lifting of the anti-Covid restrictions (read more here.) From today, for example, the […]

Buondì. Someone commented recently – I forget who, or where – that it was frustrating not being able to understand all the Italian he read, and so very helpful to have a word-for-word translation into English. I don’t have a lot of hair, but there’s even less now. And my forehead is bruised from the […]

Buondì. A quickie today, as I have lots of stuff to get through, including a Spanish conversation lesson mid-afternoon, before which I’ll try to find some time to listen to Spanish radio and glance through El Pais, to ‘tune in’ my ageing and sleep-deprived brain. “How to choose activities/materials that complement and reinforce each other” […]

Buondì. Yesterday, in a rare idle moment, I was flicking through the Le Monde (French newspaper) app, which I pay monthly for but use less than I should, when I came across the ‘podcasts’ section. And while scrolling down through that, a recent ‘program’/podcast, whatever the correct word is, on the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s […]

Buondì. Here’s a reasonable question from Sue: I would just like to know if you are allowed to make notes when doing listening exercises and of course during an exam. I find it impossible to remember details in English, never mind Italian. Many thanks in advance. And my reply: In an exam your approach should […]

Buondì. Wednesday’s article, entitled ‘Building your listening skills‘, generated this interesting comment: But … but isn’t Easy Italian News “audio with English subtitles” effectively? which I think I wrote was a waste of time, which opinion I stand by, until death do us part. My reply (just published now, sorry for the delay) was: No, […]

Buondì. Someone emailed me this week with a question: “Do you also recommend watching TV without Italian subtitles?” To which I replied: “It depends on the person. If you’re a beginner, you won’t understand much, but if you’re OK with that then fine. Italian subtitles help you get the general idea, so are better than […]

Buondì. How to learn new words? I had this conversation with Alberto, an Italian that I teach for two hours online each Wednesday evening. He’s a star, has learnt a lot in the six months we’ve been working together, and is very responsive to new ideas, especially learning how to learn (he wasn’t the most […]