LearnItalianPod

Have you ever wanted to play a musical instrument? A tradition now for hundreds of years, the piano has heavily influenced every major style of music since its first appearance, thanks to a great Italian inventor from Padua. Let’s learn more about the history of the piano and why everyone should learn to bang out […]

One of the most magnetic and charismatic stars of the silent era, Rudolph Valentino, once said, “People are not in love with me, but with the picture of me on the screen. I am merely the canvas on which they paint their dreams.” This time, let’s learn more about the first “Latin Lover” while we […]

The word volcano originally comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. It is said that Vulcan built a blacksmith workshop under Mount Etna and whenever Venus is unfaithful Vulcan grows angry and beats the red-hot metal with such a force that sparks and smoke rise up from the top of the [...]

The air is filled with World Cup Fever, so let’s talk about a legendary Italian World Cup hero who, at the peak of his career, was said to be “more popular than spaghetti”. We’ll learn his ups and downs during his soccer career, all while we practice lots of useful Italian words and expressions that [...]

Italy is famous for so many delicious wines. And who knew that choosing the correct glass for your wine was such an important aspect in relishing the flavor and enjoying that moment you take that first sip. So, relax and pour yourself a glass while we practice lots of useful Italian words and expressions that [...]

VIP Member Sara, who is studying in Siena, Italy, wrote us to tell us of a great field trip she went on to the “Parco di Pinocchio.” – She tells us, “Wow! Pinocchio is truly loved and famous in Italy and now I know why there are little Pinocchio figures being sold on every street [...]

VIP Member Gianna just returned from Italy to visit family for the first time, and asks, “Why is it that Italians are so serious when playing cards? Every night, after dinner we played a card game called “Scopa” and it was very exciting and so competitive.” – This time, let’s learn all about Gianna and [...]

The tradition of locking your love with a padlock on a bridge as a symbol of love and commitment is practiced throughout the world. No one is quite sure where this tradition has originated but love locks spring up on new bridges daily. — So, let’s learn all about this profession of love while we [...]

Italians, known for eating dinner quite late in the evening, call their Happy Hour “Aperitivo”. Literally, “aperitivo” is a pre-meal drink whose scope is to stimulate appetite, but in Italy it is in fact much more than that. Italians consider the time of “aperitivo” as a terrific opportunity to spend time and socialize with friends. [...]

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – How many times have people asked you that question when you were younger? Our little friend Marco is twelve years old: when he grows up he would like to be a famous cook, and let’s certainly hope all of his goals and dreams come [...]

There’s a well loved and widely popular Italian dish that’s easy and inexpensive to make, but it’s packed with flavor and healthy ingredients. The name of the dish is “spaghetti all’aglio olio e peperoncino” (spaghetti with garlic, oil, and hot pepper). – This time, let’s learn all about one of the staple dishes of the [...]

If you like winter sports, and skiing in particular, you know the feeling you get by skiing in a perfectly groomed ski slope. Now, imagine being able to do it in the middle of the desert. Impossible, you say? – Think again. – This time, let’s learn all about a terrific indoor snow ski resort [...]

Did you know that the first living astronauts in history were a sheep, a goose and a rooster? They flew in 1783 in France on board of a big hot-air balloon. So, let’s celebrate the first flight in history with living creatures on board all while we practice lots of useful Italian words and expressions [...]