LearnItalianPod

38. The Pizza Vending Machine (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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Learn Italian with LearnItalianPod.com – Our dear friend and longtime VIP subscriber Lisa from Chicago sent us a fantastic piece of news about an invention made in Italy which, if it works, is going to change forever one of the icon of the Italian food: la pizza! That’s the “pizza vending machine” – a machine that doesn’t just sell pizza, but is actually a mini pizzeria that kneads the dough, spreads the toppings and bakes a personal pizza in just three minutes as you watch through a little window!

So, let’s dedicate this Culture Shot to this incredible and revolutionary new piece of “Made in Italy”, and let’s learn and practice a few must-know Italian food names together with some common and useful Italian idiomatic expressions. Enjoy!

[VIP Members Only Extra Bonuses!] Login to the Learning Center to download Audio & PDF Transcript of the “must-know” irregular verb “Dire” (To Say, To Tell).

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.38

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: business, food
• 3 Comments

37. Aprile Dolce Dormire (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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Learn Italian with LearnItalianPod.com – Jane was talking the other day to her sister Lucia who lives in Italy and she was telling her how sleepy she was feeling right in the middle of the day. Her sister said: “Jane, ricordati, Aprile dolce dormire… (Jane, remember, April sweet sleeping…)”. – And Jane suddenly remembered when, as a little girl, she had to learn a cute tongue twister used in school to learn and memorize the names of the months. So, come join us in learning and practicing this terrific tongue-twister that is sure to make your Italian better!

[VIP Members Only Extra Bonuses!] Login to the Learning Center to download Audio & PDF Transcript of the “must-know” irregular verb “Stare” (To Stay) and a comprehensive review (with extra audio!) of “Italian Altered Nouns” with rules of usage, so you will learn how to form diminutives, “vezzeggiativi”, augmentatives and pejoratives.

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.37

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: tongue-twisters
• 1 Comment

36. The Day of The Fools (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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In Italy, as well as in the rest of the world, April 1st is traditionally a day of jokes, silliness, and pranks of any kind. The traditional Italian “Pesce d’Aprile” (April Fools’ in English) consists of someone attaching a paper cutout of a small fish to the rear shoulders of a friend or a family member with tape or glue. As we’re getting closer to April 1st, we’ve decided to dedicate this Culture Shot to some of the best April Fools’ pranks ever, with one condition: all pranks we’ve chosen are related in some ways to Italy and Italians! On the grammar section, something you’ll find very useful… a comprehensive review of the super important, must-know “Italian present perfect”. Let the fun begin!

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.36

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: fun, traditions
• 4 Comments

35. The Yellow Mimosa (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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Here is what our longtime VIP member and friend Barbara says: “I’m writing this email from Florence in Italy, where I’ve been living for a couple of months already, to study art. A few days ago, the 8th of March, I went out with my best Italian friend Maria, and as we walked down the street, three guys from my class said hi and they gave us this beautiful yellow flower, la “mimosa”. I’ve been told this is the way Italians celebrate ‘La Festa della Donna’ every 8th of March. How nice! – Then right away I thought: ‘What a great idea for a LearnItalianPod’s episode!’ – See, I always think of you, Jane & Massimo…” – How nice of you, Barbara, and what a great suggestion! So, let’s celebrate women from all over the world and let’s learn something nice about this beautiful yellow flower and what it represents. Enjoy!

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.35

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: traditions
• 2 Comments

34. Honey, We’re Having A Baby! (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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Learn Italian with LearnItalianPod.com – Our good friend and VIP member Juliet sent us a wonderful email. She says: “I love the podcast, and have been listening to it ever since I met and married my lovely Italian husband. Every time we go back to see his family, my Italian has improved. Would you consider doing an episode on having a baby? We are, and I’ve learned that there are seemingly endless ways of telling this to people.” – Juliet, first of all congratulations for having a baby, and second, what a terrific suggestion! – So, on this Culture Shot we’ll hear some of the most original ways Italian women use to announce “we’re having a baby!” to their significant others, families, or friends. Enjoy!

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.34

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: children, family
• 2 Comments

33. Una Multa Indimenticabile (Culture Shot)

  Level: Culture Shot

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Learn Italian with LearnItalianPod.com – Our friend and VIP subscriber Debra, born and raised in London, England, but now living in Italy, sent us a terrific and very funny email. She says: “A few days ago, I happened to read a very funny story entitled “Una Multa Indimenticabile” (Literally “Un Unforgettable Fine”). Sometimes, excuses that people make up in order to avoid responsibilities have no limits, but this… what a story! I’m still laughing hard! And the moment I read the story, I just said to myself: “This is a perfect podcast episode for LearnItalianPod.com”! – Yes it is, Debra! So, let’s dedicate this week’s Culture Shot to this funny (but real!) story, and let’s learn and practice some super common and useful Italian idiomatic expressions. Enjoy!

Culture Shot – Episode Nr.33

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• Level: Culture Shot
• Topics: driving, expressions
• 4 Comments