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Learn Italian with two of our popular blogs, both hosted on Blogger.com:
Podcasts in Italian
Use Podcasts to improve your Italian!

What is podcasting? Podcasting is, according to Podcastingnews.com, the delivery of "audio content to iPods and other portable media players on demand, so that it can be listened to at the user's convenience. The main benefit of podcasting is that listeners can sync content to their media player and take it with them to listen whenever they want to. Because podcasts are typically saved in MP3 format, they can also be listened to on nearly any computer...."

So what does that have to do with learning Italian (or any language)? Podcasts are a great way to practice your listening comprehension skills. Listen to the news in Italian, documentaries, radio programs...whatever! There are dozens of great podcasts out there that you can use to train your ear to hear Italian like the natives hear it.

Click here to go to Learnitalianpod.comEngagedThinking recommends Learnitalianpod.com because not only can you practice your listening comprehension, but you can learn the language too - from scratch even! Start with lesson 1 and work your way through the beginner's lessons. They also have a pay section where for a modest fee, you can download transcripts, exercises and other tools to help you with each lesson!

No longer a beginner? Learnitalianpod.com can work for you as well. They have dozens of intermediate lessons and culture shots to help you improve your skills, sharpen your grammar and improve your vocabulary. This is a real online gem that should not be passed up.


Below is a list of other podcasts that you can use to practice your listening comprehension:

SBS Italian Radio Program
SBS is located in Australia. Several times a week they have a radio news program totally in Italian which touches on issues in Italy, Australia as well as international news and commentaries.

Qui Italia
This is another excellent podcast run by Gianluca. He presents short conversations in a controlled and articulate manner. Gianluca's podcasts are currently focused on the regions of Italy, and he provides a nice overview of the regions, their gems as well as important cities and other cultural information.

Radio Arlecchino
Developed by the university of Texas, these podcasts focus on a particular grammar point. An excellent site if you are looking to develop a better understanding of a specific grammar point.

Il Sole 24 Ore
This popular Italian newspapers broadcasts several shows each day. Check out their Palinsesto (program schedule) to find out what is playing at any particular time - listen live or download the podcast.

RAI Uno, RAI Due, RAI Tre
Rai Uno, Due, e Tre have dozens of radio shows that are available as podcasts.

Tutto Cinema
If movies are your passion, this podcast from RAI International is for you. A new podcast is available each week.

RadioAlt
This web site features reviews of books and music. They also have an internet radio station which broadcasts interviews, music and more. A very interesting site, indeed! You can also download podcasts of interviews and book readings that are done periodically.

Learning Italian For the Beginner
If you are a complete beginner in your quest to learn Italian, then your initial focus should be on:
  1. Learning to read the language, learning placement of accents and stresses
  2. Begin to communicate verbally and in written form as well as understanding basic expressions (telling time, the weather, 'small talk')
  3. Read common, everyday signs and notices (i.e. street signs, menus, basic directions, etc.)
  4. Understanding basic grammar principles

When studying grammar as a beginner, I think that it is important not to get too bogged down on the specific, as this may deter you from studying. The best way to learn the language is through a class setting, either in a group or individually. Each method has its pro's and con's. Self-study can also be an effective way as long as you are willing to put some time and effort into learning it.

Below are some web sites (links open up a new tab or window) that I recommend for the beginner, especially self-starters:

  • Learnitalianpod.com
    This site is excellent. It has an invaluable collection of podcasts with 50 beginner lessons. Accompanying each lesson are transcripts and exercises (available with an inexpensive paid subscription). The owners of the site are native speakers and are excellent teachers too.

  • Languamedia Radio

  • Prego, Sixth Edition
    (excellent if you have the book and workbook to go with it, but still valuable on its own)
    Prego is a textbook typically used in universities for first year Italian courses. It's an excellent book that teaches you the basics of Italian with a firm grounding in Italian grammar leaving you with an excellent foundation. If you can afford it and plan to invest in learning the language, then this is a must to own. Prego is now in its 7th edition and accessing the 7th edition web site requires purchasing the book, however, the 6th edition web site is free and no longer requires a passcode.

  • BBC Languages: Italian Steps
    This is a great web site for many reasons. It will help you learn to read the language, improve your vocabulary, listening comprehension as well as speaking (although you have to talk to yourself).
Building and Improving Your Italian For the Intermediate Student
Coming soon
Useful Books and Media For Improving Your Italian

Coming soon

Dante on the Web
The works of Dante are important works for any student of Italian, whether you read them in Italian or English. There are several sites on the net that are excellent Dante resources. Check out these sites below:

Princeton Dante Project
This is an excellent site located on Princeton's web site, featuring Dante's work in English or Italian. Listen to the Dante's Divina Commedia in Italian (need Real Player). Plenty of information to suit anyone interested in Dante.


Divina Commedia@www.gaudio.org
These podcasts (which can be subscribed to from Signor Gaudio's web site) feature readings and commentary from Dante's work. Excellent quality and easy to download and listen to. Podcasts can be played from the web site, Itunes, downloaded to your pc, or from your mp3 player. An extremely versatile site!

Dartmouth Dante Project
This project from Dartmouth features dozens of translations of the Divine Comedy. Fully searchable with commentaries. Probably more for the Dante expert or student/scholar than the general population but still fund to play around with.

Digital Dante
Another excellent site on Dante with various translations alongside the Italian.
Questions? Suggestions? Email Us
Do you have a question on Italian grammar? Disagree with something I wrote or notice a mistake? Please drop us a line.