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

🎧 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

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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

All content © 2025 Impariamo l’italiano piano piano – Un impegno quotidiano

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:40 Category 1 - Teaching & Learning Perspectives
• 5:17 Category 1 - Active Recall
• 7:11 Category 1 Mini Quiz
• 8:54 Category 2 -Online Learning & Global Connection
• 12:27 Category 2 - Active Recall
• 15:34 Category 2 - Mini Quiz
• 17:46 Category 3 - Learning Like a Child
• 22:15 Category 3 - Active Recall
• 24:00 Category 3 - Mini Quiz
• 25:55 Category 4 - Grammar & Language Tools
• 29:33 Category 4 – Active Recall
• 31:37 Category 4 - Mini Quiz
• 34:27 Category 5 - Motivation, Idioms & Advice
• 37:57 Category 5 – Active Recall
• 39:53 Category 5 – Mini Quiz
• 41:52 Wrap up

Transcript

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

🛠️ Bonus Episode 06 - Vocabulary that you will hear in our Interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla

Vocabulary Boost for Interview Episode 02

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

Myra:
Benvenuti a questa nuova puntata speciale! 🎧 Welcome to this new bonus episode!

In this session, we’re exploring some key words and expressions that you’ll hear in the interview with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla—an Italian teacher, translator, and creator of the website SOS Italian.

In the interview, you’ll hear not only practical tips for learning Italian, but also thoughtful reflections on teaching, the value of making mistakes, and the beauty of learning step by step—piano piano.

We’ve organized the vocabulary into five themed categories—teaching perspectives, global connection, childlike learning, grammar tools, and motivation & idiomatic expressions.

As always, you’ll hear the words in context, practice with active recall, and test yourself with mini quizzes.

Antonio:
Eccomi, Myra. Questa volta mi sento… pedagogico. Preparato, brillante… come sempre.

Here I am, Myra. This time, I’m feeling… pedagogical. Prepared, brilliant… as always.

Myra:
Sempre modesto, Antonio. Cominciamo.
Ever the modest one, Antonio. Let’s begin.

🧑‍🏫 Category 1: Teaching & Learning Perspectives

(Chiara’s background, philosophy of teaching, and learner empathy)

Vocabulary:

• madrelingua – native speaker
• lingua straniera – foreign language
• prospettiva – perspective
• esperienza personale – personal experience
• insegnare – to teach
• insegnante – teacher
• apprendimento – learning

Contextual Introduction– Category 1: Teaching & Learning Perspectives
 English (with vocabulary in Italian)

When she was still in high school, Lucia already knew she wanted to insegnare—not just any subject, but something alive and ever-changing: a lingua straniera.

At first, she thought about teaching English. But eventually, she realized her strength came from teaching her own language. As a madrelingua, she could offer more than just grammar—she could offer context, culture, even emotion.

Over the years, she became not only an insegnante, but also a lifelong student. She studied her students as carefully as her textbooks. Each learner brought a different prospettiva, shaped by their country, their story, and their esperienza personale.

Lucia realized that apprendimento wasn’t something she gave. It was something they built together.

🇮🇹 Versione in italiano (voce lenta – Antonio)

Myra: Puoi accompagnarci lentamente, Antonio?
Vogliamo cogliere ogni dettaglio.
Can you walk us through it slowly, Antonio? We want to catch every detail.

Quando era ancora al liceo, Lucia sapeva già di voler insegnare—non una materia qualsiasi, ma qualcosa di vivo e in continuo cambiamento: una lingua straniera.

All’inizio aveva pensato di insegnare inglese. Ma poi ha capito che la sua forza era insegnare la propria lingua. Come madrelingua, poteva offrire più della grammatica—poteva offrire il contesto, la cultura, perfino l’emozione.

Con gli anni è diventata non solo un’insegnante, ma anche un’allieva per tutta la vita. Studiava i suoi studenti con la stessa attenzione con cui studiava i libri. Ogni persona portava una prospettiva diversa, formata dal proprio paese, dalla propria storia, e dalla propria esperienza personale.

Lucia ha capito che l’apprendimento non è qualcosa che si trasmette. È qualcosa che si costruisce insieme.

Myra: E ora, dilla come la diresti davvero.
And now, say it like you really would.

(Antonio reads the story again at regular speed)

🔁 Active Recall – Category 1: Teaching & Learning Perspectives

Myra:
Let’s take a moment to review some of the key words from the story about Lucia, the teacher who learns from her students.
Picture her classroom, her students, and how she reflects on their experiences.
I’ll say each word in English—try to say the Italian before Antonio gives you the answer. Pronti? Are you ready?

Antonio:
Sempre pronto. Professore Antonio, al vostro servizio!
Always ready. Professor Antonio, at your service!

1. What do you call someone who speaks a language from birth?
    → Antonio: Madrelingua.
2. What’s the phrase for a language that isn’t your own?
    → Antonio: Lingua straniera.
3. What word means the way you view or understand something?
    → Antonio: Prospettiva.
4. How do you say “personal experience”?
    → Antonio: Esperienza personale.
5. What’s the Italian verb for “to teach”?
    → Antonio: Insegnare.
6. What’s the word for a person whose job is teaching?
    → Antonio: Insegnante.
7. And finally, what’s the Italian word for “learning”?
    → Antonio: Apprendimento.

Mini Quiz – Category 1: Teaching & Learning Perspectives

Myra:
Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test!
Try saying each sentence in Italian before Antonio gives the answer. You can pause if you need a little more time.  È ora di cominciare. (It's time to begin)

1. She is a native speaker of Italian.
    → Antonio: È una madrelingua italiana.
2. He teaches a foreign language.
    → Antonio: Insegna una lingua straniera.
3. Every student brings a different perspective.
    → Antonio: Ogni studente porta una prospettiva diversa.
4. My personal experience helped me understand.
    → Antonio: La mia esperienza personale mi ha aiutato a capire.
5. Learning a language takes time.
    → Antonio: L’apprendimento di una lingua richiede tempo.
6. The teacher listened to all the students.
    → Antonio: L’insegnante ha ascoltato tutti gli studenti.

📘 Grammar Notes – Category 1: Teaching & Learning Perspectives

Madrelingua
This compound noun means “native speaker.” It can be masculine or feminine, depending on the person it refers to:

• una madrelingua italiana = a female native speaker of Italian
• un madrelingua inglese = a male native speaker of English
  Note that the word madrelingua doesn’t change form between masculine and feminine—it stays the same, but you adjust the article and adjectives around it.

Lingua straniera
Literally “foreign language.” Lingua is a feminine noun, so adjectives must agree:

• una lingua straniera difficile = a difficult foreign language

Prospettiva
Feminine noun meaning “perspective” or “point of view.” It’s often used in educational or psychological contexts, but can also be used metaphorically:

• una nuova prospettiva = a new perspective

Esperienza personale
Esperienza is a feminine noun, and personale is an adjective that stays the same for both masculine and feminine singular nouns.

• un’esperienza personale = a personal experience

Insegnare
A regular -are verb meaning “to teach.” It often takes an indirect object:

• Insegno l’italiano agli studenti stranieri = I teach Italian to foreign students

Insegnante
This noun is gender-neutral in form but used for both male and female teachers. You determine the gender by context or the article:

• l’insegnante bravo (male)
• l’insegnante brava (female)

Apprendimento
Masculine noun meaning “learning” or “the process of learning.” Common in formal and academic contexts:

• l’apprendimento linguistico = language learning
• le strategie di apprendimento = learning strategies

🌐 Category 2: Online Learning & Global Connection

(Teaching online, cultural exchange, learning from students)

Vocabulary:

• connessione internet – internet connection
• background – background (context, experience)
• esperienza – experience
• insegnamento online – online teaching
• da qualsiasi parte – from anywhere
• scambio – exchange (of knowledge or ideas)
• ricevere – to receive

Category 2: Contextual Introduction English (with vocabulary in Italian)

Giorgio teaches Italian online. At first, he worried about not being in the same room as his students. Would they stay motivated? Could they connect?

But lesson by lesson, something shifted. Through insegnamento online, Giorgio began to meet people with incredible backgrounds—artists, travelers, engineers, grandparents.

Each new esperienza brought something unexpected. One student shared a recipe. Another sent a poem. It wasn’t just teaching anymore—it was a scambio, an exchange.

And the best part? With a stable connessione internet, Giorgio could work da qualsiasi parte—from his apartment, from a lakeside café or even from a quiet piazza.

He learned that when you teach online, you don’t just give. You also ricevi.

Puoi leggerla in versione rallentata per noi?
(Can you read the slowed-down version for us?)

🇮🇹 Versione in italiano (voce lenta – Antonio)

Giorgio insegna italiano online. All’inizio si preoccupava di non essere nella stessa stanza con i suoi studenti.
Si sarebbero sentiti motivati? Si sarebbero connessi davvero?

Ma poi, lezione dopo lezione, qualcosa è cambiato.
Attraverso l’insegnamento online, Giorgio ha iniziato a incontrare persone con background incredibili—artisti, viaggiatori, ingegneri, nonni.

Ogni nuova esperienza portava qualcosa di inaspettato.
Uno studente condivideva una ricetta. Un altro mandava una poesia.
Non era più solo insegnare—era uno scambio.

E la cosa migliore? Con una buona connessione internet, Giorgio poteva lavorare da qualsiasi parte—dal suo appartamento, da un bar sul lago, perfino da una piazza tranquilla.

Ha capito che, quando insegni online, non dai soltanto. Tu ricevi anche.

Myra:

 Ora leggila con il tuo ritmo naturale. 
(Now read it with your natural rhythm.)

(Antonio reads the selection again at normal speed.)

🔁 Active Recall – Category 2: Online Learning & Global Connection

Myra:
Let’s think back to Giorgio and his virtual classroom—meeting new people, learning from their stories, and teaching from wherever he happened to be.

I’ll say each word in English. Try to remember the Italian term before Antonio answers. You can pause if you need more time. Let’s give it a go!
 
 Antonio:
Avanti! È il momento del quiz… digitale.
Sono praticamente un esperto… anche se non ho mai fatto login.
I’m practically an expert… even if I’ve never logged in.

 Myra:
Right… like all those students who say they never need to study.
I’m definitely not one of them.
Diamoci da fare.
Let’s get to work.

1. What’s the Italian phrase for teaching that happens through the internet?
    → Antonio: Insegnamento online.
2. How do you say “internet connection”?
    → Antonio: Connessione internet.

3.       What’s the Italian word for “background,” like someone’s past experience or context?
 →Certo. Ma lo diciamo alla italiana.

Bèc-graund
 Myra:
Ah right, yes. We use the English word in Italian too.

Antonio:
con l’accento giusto.
Niente bèk-ground o bàk-gràund, per carità!

Antonio:
Ascoltate: bèc-graund.
Ripetete con me: bèc… graund.
...
Perfetto! Ora potete sembrare madrelingua… quasi.
(Listen: bèc-graund.Repeat with me: bèc… graund.
Perfect! Now you sound like a native… almost.)

Myra:
Of course. Why invent a new word when you can just borrow one from English?

Antonio:
Ah, vuoi forse parlare di quante parole inglesi arrivano dal latino?
Perché… io sono prontissimo.
(Oh, would you like to talk about how many English words come from Latin?
Because… I’m very ready.)

Myra:
Yes, Antonio would love to remind us that English borrowed a lot from Latin.
I guess I walked right into that one.

Antonio:
Come un vero gentiluomo… io ho aperto la porta.
Tu ci sei entrata.
(Like a true gentleman… I opened the door.
You walked in.)

Myra:
Oh boy!.. So, 

1. What do you call a life event or something someone has lived through?
    → Antonio: Esperienza.
2. What’s the word for an exchange—like when two people share knowledge or ideas?
    → Antonio: Scambio.
3. How do you say “from anywhere”?
    → Antonio: Da qualsiasi parte.
4. What’s the verb that means “to receive”?
    → Antonio: Ricevere.

🧠 Mini Quiz – Category 2: Online Learning & Global Connection

Myra:
Time to test what you’ve learned! Try saying each sentence in Italian before Antonio gives the answer. Remember, you can pause if you need a moment. Iniziamo! Let’s begin!

1. Giorgio teaches Italian online.
    → Antonio: Giorgio insegna italiano online.
2. All you need is a good internet connection.
    → Antonio: Ti serve solo una buona connessione internet.
3. Each student has a different background.
    → Antonio: Ogni studente ha un background diverso.
4. This experience changed my perspective.
    → Antonio: Questa esperienza ha cambiato la mia prospettiva.
5. It was more than a lesson—it was an exchange.
    → Antonio: Era più di una lezione—era uno scambio.
6. You can work from anywhere.
    → Antonio: Puoi lavorare da qualsiasi parte.
7. When you teach, you also receive.
    → Antonio: Quando insegni, ricevi anche tu.

📘 Grammar Notes – Category 2: Online Learning & Global Connection

Insegnamento online
A compound noun formed from insegnamento (teaching, instruction) and online.

• Insegnamento is a masculine noun derived from the verb insegnare.
• You’ll often see phrases like l’insegnamento online è in crescita (online teaching is growing).

Connessione internet
Connessione is a feminine noun meaning “connection,” and internet is used as-is in Italian.

• Example: Hai una connessione internet veloce?(Do you have a fast internet connection?)

Background
This is a borrowed English word used in Italian, especially in academic or professional contexts. It takes a masculine article:

• un background culturale interessante = an interesting cultural background

Esperienza
A feminine noun meaning “experience.”

• Watch for agreement: un’esperienza nuova (a new experience), le esperienze passate (past experiences)

Scambio
Masculine noun meaning “exchange.” Often used in expressions like:

• scambio linguistico (language exchange)
• uno scambio di idee (an exchange of ideas)

Da qualsiasi parte
This phrase means “from anywhere.”

• It’s made up of da (from) + qualsiasi (any) + parte (part/place).
• Example: Puoi connetterti da qualsiasi parte del mondo.

Ricevere
A regular -ere verb meaning “to receive.”

• Common in both literal and figurative contexts:
   
  • Ho ricevuto un pacco. (I received a package.)
•  
  • Ricevi molto quando ascolti davvero. (You receive a lot when you truly listen.)

🧸 Category 3: Learning Like a Child

(Language acquisition parallels between children and adults)

Vocabulary:

• ascolto continuo – constant listening
• ripetizione – repetition
• piccoli passi – small steps
• avere paura di sbagliare – to be afraid of making mistakes
• imbarazzo – embarrassment
• parole/frasi – words/phrases
• naturalezza – naturalness / ease

🎧 Contextual Introduction – English (with vocabulary in Italian)

Sofia has been learning Italian for a few months. At first, she tried to memorize everything—the rules, the endings, the exceptions. But it was exhausting.

One day, she stopped and listened. Not to study, just to hear the rhythm. Podcasts, songs, conversations in cafés. It became part of her life—an ascolto continuo.

She began to focus on piccoli passi—mastering a few parole, then short frasi. She didn’t rush.

And when she made mistakes, she tried not to feel imbarazzo. Children don’t—so why should she? They learn through ripetizione, and so would she.

The more she listened and spoke, the more she noticed something unexpected: her speech had gained a kind of naturalezza—a flow that couldn’t come from books alone.

🇮🇹 Versione in italiano

Myra:
Per favore Antonio. Voce lenta.

Antonio:
Sofia studia italiano da qualche mese. All’inizio cercava di memorizzare tutto—le regole, le desinenze, le eccezioni. Ma era stancante.

Un giorno si è fermata… e ha iniziato ad ascoltare.
 Non per studiare, solo per sentire il ritmo.
 Podcast, canzoni, conversazioni nei bar.
 È diventato parte della sua vita—un ascolto continuo.

Ha cominciato a concentrarsi su piccoli passi—prima alcune parole, poi brevi frasi. Non aveva fretta.

E quando sbagliava, cercava di non provare imbarazzo.
I bambini non lo provano—perché lei sì?
Loro imparano con la ripetizione, e così avrebbe fatto anche lei.

Più ascoltava e parlava, più notava qualcosa di inaspettato:
 il suo modo di parlare aveva acquisito una certa naturalezza—
una fluidità che non poteva venire solo dai libri.

Myra:
Perfetto! Adesso come la diresti normalmente.
(Antonio repeats the passage at normal speed)

🔁 Active Recall – Category 3: Learning Like a Child

Myra:
Let’s revisit Sofia’s story—her quiet shift from memorization to rhythm, and the courage to learn like a child.

Antonio:
Ah, comunicazione… la mia specialità.
Dicono che parlo troppo… ma sempre con il registro giusto.
Ah, communication… my specialty.
They say I talk too much… but always in the right register.

Myra:
They say you talk too much, but that you’re always in the right register? OK I’ll go along with that. As long as you don’t switch to Dante again mid-episode, we’re fine.

Antonio:
È così che alleno la voce: recitando Dante!
That’s how I train my voice — by reciting Dante!

Antonio (beginning to recite, dramatically):
Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita…

Myra:
ahem

Antonio:
Non pensi che sia importante per me mantenere la voce ben allenata?
Don’t you think it’s important for me to keep my voice well trained?

Myra:
Yes, I suppose it is important for you to keep your voice well trained. 

But maybe …between podcast episodes?

Antonio:
Ah, la mia arte… sempre sottovalutata.
Ah, my art… always underappreciated.

Myra:
So, as I was saying, thinking back to the contextual intro,  try to picture Sofia listening, repeating, and growing more confident one phrase at a time.

I’ll say the English. Can you recall the Italian before Antonio says it?

1. What’s the phrase for constant or ongoing listening?
    → Antonio: Ascolto continuo.
2. What’s the Italian word for repetition?
    → Antonio: Ripetizione.
3. How do you say “small steps”?
    → Antonio: Piccoli passi.
4. What’s the expression for being afraid to make mistakes?
    → Antonio: Avere paura di sbagliare.
5. What’s the Italian word for embarrassment?
    → Antonio: Imbarazzo.
6. What are the words for “words” and “phrases”?
    → Antonio: Parole e frasi.
7. And what’s the word that describes natural ease in speaking?
    → Antonio: Naturalezza.

🧠 Mini Quiz – Category 3: Learning Like a Child

Myra:
Let’s test how much you remember.
Try to say each sentence in Italian before Antonio gives you the answer. Take your time—piccoli passi!

1. Children learn through repetition.
    → Antonio: I bambini imparano con la ripetizione.
2. She made progress by taking small steps.
    → Antonio: Ha fatto progressi facendo piccoli passi.
3. He’s afraid of making mistakes.
    → Antonio: Ha paura di sbagliare.
4. I don’t want to feel embarrassed when I speak.
    → Antonio: Non voglio provare imbarazzo quando parlo.
5. Start with a few words and short phrases.
    → Antonio: Inizia con alcune parole e frasi brevi.
6. Listening constantly helped me improve.
    → Antonio: L’ascolto continuo mi ha aiutato a migliorare.
7. Now she speaks with more natural ease.
    → Antonio: Ora parla con più naturalezza.

📘 Grammar Notes – Category 3: Learning Like a Child

Ascolto continuo
A masculine noun phrase combining ascolto (listening) with the adjective continuo (continuous).

• Example: L’ascolto continuo è fondamentale per imparare una lingua.
  (The constant listening is essential for learning a language.)

Ripetizione
A feminine noun meaning “repetition,” from the verb ripetere.

• Like many nouns ending in -zione, it’s always feminine: una ripetizione utile (a useful repetition).

Piccoli passi
This expression literally means “small steps.”

• Piccoli is the plural of piccolo, and passi is the plural of passo (step).
• Metaphorically, it refers to gradual progress or gentle pacing.

Avere paura di sbagliare
A useful expression meaning “to be afraid of making mistakes.”

• Avere paura di is followed by a verb in the infinitive: di sbagliare = “of making a mistake.”

Imbarazzo
A masculine noun meaning “embarrassment” or “awkwardness.”

• Example: Provo imbarazzo quando parlo in pubblico.(I feel embarrassed when I speak in public.)

Parole / Frasi

• Parola (word) is feminine and becomes parole in the plural.
• Frase (sentence or phrase) is also feminine, and frasi is the plural.
• Example: Impara prima le parole, poi prova con le frasi.(Learn the words first, then try with phrases.)

Naturalezza
A feminine noun that refers to naturalness, ease, or fluency in expression.

• It comes from naturale (natural) and can be used for speech, movement, or style.
• Example: Parla con grande naturalezza.(She speaks with great ease.)

📘 Category 4: Grammar & Language Tools

(Verb tenses, passive recognition, books and exercises)

Vocabulary:

• passato remoto – remote past tense
• passato prossimo – present perfect
• imperfetto – imperfect tense
• conoscenza passiva – passive knowledge
• traduzione – translation
• esercizio – exercise (practice activity)
• argomento grammaticale – grammar topic

🎧 Contextual Introduction – English (with vocabulary in Italian)

Alessia loves grammar. Really. She’s the kind of learner who enjoys a good esercizio, especially when it challenges her to understand how different tenses shape meaning.

Lately, she’s been thinking about the passato remoto. She doesn’t use it yet—but she knows it matters. So she focuses on conoscenza passiva: being able to recognize it, even if she doesn’t produce it herself.

She compares it with the passato prossimo, and even the imperfetto, noticing how each argomento grammaticale reveals something subtle about time, memory, and emotion.

To help herself, she uses traduzione carefully—not for every word, but to check if she really understands. Every time she revisits an old esercizio, she notices something new.

Grammar, for Alessia, isn’t just a system—it’s a lens that lets her see the language more clearly.

🇮🇹 Versione in italiano (voce lenta – Antonio)

Antonio, andiamo con calma — frase per frase.
(Let’s go slowly — sentence by sentence.)

Alessia ama la grammatica. Davvero.
 È il tipo di studentessa a cui piace fare un buon esercizio,
soprattutto quando le fa capire come i tempi verbali cambiano il significato.

Ultimamente, sta riflettendo sul passato remoto.
Non lo usa ancora—ma sa che è importante.
Così si concentra sulla conoscenza passiva:
essere in grado di riconoscerlo, anche se non lo usa.

Lo confronta con il passato prossimo,
e anche con l’imperfetto, notando come ogni argomento grammaticale
riveli qualcosa di sottile sul tempo, sulla memoria, sulle emozioni.

Per aiutarsi, usa la traduzione in modo strategico—
non per ogni parola, ma per verificare se ha capito davvero.
Ogni volta che rifà un vecchio esercizio, nota qualcosa di nuovo.

Per Alessia, la grammatica non è solo un sistema—
 è una lente per vedere meglio la lingua.

Bene, ora leggila a velocità normale.
(Great, now read it at normal speed.)

(Antonio repeats the passage at normal speed)

🔁 Active Recall – Category 4: Grammar & Language Tools

Myra:
Let’s return to Alessia’s story—the learner who loves grammar and uses it as a tool to see language more clearly.

Think about the verb tenses she compared… the way she used translation… and her choice to develop passive understanding first.

Now I’ll say the English—see if you can recall the Italian term before Antonio gives you the answer. Eccoci qua! Here we go!

1. What’s the Italian name for the past tense used mainly in writing and literature?
    → Antonio: Passato remoto.
2. What’s the name for the tense used to describe completed actions in the present perfect?
    → Antonio: Passato prossimo.
3. How do you say “the imperfect tense”?
    → Antonio: Imperfetto.
4. What phrase means passive knowledge—knowing something without using it actively?
    → Antonio: Conoscenza passiva.
5. What’s the Italian word for “translation”?
    → Antonio: Traduzione.
6. What’s the word for a grammar exercise or written practice activity?
    → Antonio: Esercizio.
7. And finally, what’s the phrase for “grammar topic”?
    → Antonio: Argomento grammaticale.

🧠 Mini Quiz – Category 4: Grammar & Language Tools

Myra:
Let’s test your grammar awareness with a few sentences based on Giulio’s story.
Try to say each sentence in Italian before Antonio gives you the answer.
Antonio:
Quiz di grammatica? Stai parlando con me?
Ma dai…
Io non faccio errori — sono grammaticalmente impeccabile.
Grammar quiz? Are you talking to me?
Come on… I don’t make mistakes — I’m grammatically flawless.

Myra:
No, Antonio, I wasn’t speaking to you.
We have our ascoltatori online, remember?

Antonio:
Mi scuso, cari ascoltatori.
Naturalmente… sono qui per aiutarvi, se avete bisogno.
My apologies, dear listeners.
 Of course… I’m here to assist, if you need me.

Myra:
And remember — you have your pause button.
So if Antonio is arriving a beat too fast, you can put him on hold for as long as you like.
Hmmm…I wonder if I could get a button like that.
Diamo il via!
Let’s kick things off!

1. I don’t use the passato remoto, but I can recognize it.
    → Antonio: Non uso il passato remoto, ma posso riconoscerlo.
2. The passato prossimo is more common in spoken Italian.
    → Antonio: Il passato prossimo è più comune nell’italiano parlato.
3. The imperfect tense describes something ongoing.
    → Antonio: L’imperfetto descrive qualcosa di continuo.
4. She’s working on her passive knowledge of grammar.
    → Antonio: Sta lavorando sulla sua conoscenza passiva della grammatica.
5. I only use translation when I really need it.
    → Antonio: Uso la traduzione solo quando ne ho davvero bisogno.
6. That grammar exercise was very helpful.
    → Antonio: Quell’esercizio di grammatica è stato molto utile.
7. This is an important grammar topic.
    → Antonio: Questo è un argomento grammaticale importante.

📘 Grammar Notes – Category 4: Grammar & Language Tools

Passato remoto
This literary past tense is often used in written Italian (especially novels and history) to describe completed actions disconnected from the present.

• Example: Dante nacque a Firenze = Dante was born in Florence.
• Learners are not usually expected to produce it, but recognition is key.

Passato prossimo
A compound tense formed with essere or avere + participio passato.

• Used to talk about completed actions with a connection to the present.
• Example: Ho studiato molto oggi = I studied a lot today.

Imperfetto
A simple tense used for ongoing past actions, descriptions, habits, or background information.

• Example: Quando ero piccolo, giocavo nel giardino = When I was little, I used to play in the garden.

Conoscenza passiva
Means “passive knowledge”—you recognize and understand something but don’t yet use it actively.

• Common in reading and listening.
• Example: Ho una conoscenza passiva del passato remoto.

Traduzione
A feminine noun meaning “translation.”

• Related to the verb tradurre (to translate).
• Often used in learning materials: con traduzione inglese = with English translation.

Esercizio
A masculine noun meaning “exercise” or “practice activity.”

• Example: Faccio un esercizio ogni giorno = I do an exercise every day.

Argomento grammaticale
Literally “grammar topic.”

• Argomento is masculine and broadly means topic or subject.
• Example: L’imperfetto è un argomento grammaticale importante.

💬 Category 5: Motivation, Idioms & Advice

(Encouragement, idiomatic expression, study routines)

Vocabulary:

•             immergersi nella lingua – to immerse oneself in the language

•             sentirsi come un pesce fuor d’acqua – to feel like a fish out of water

•             diario di apprendimento – learning journal

•             progressi – progress

•             motivazione – motivation

•             consiglio – advice

•             modo di dire – idiom

🎧 Category 5: Contextual Introduction – English (with vocabulary in Italian)

Elena kept a diario di apprendimento. Not every day, just when she felt stuck—or inspired. It helped her notice small progressi she might have otherwise missed.

Sometimes, the words flowed. Other times, she felt like giving up. Her motivazione rose and fell. But when it dropped, she returned to something simple: a song, a scene from a movie, or one of her favorite modi di dire.

One day, after a difficult conversation, she wrote:
 “Oggi mi sono sentita come un pesce fuor d’acqua.”
Today I felt like a fish out of water.
She’d felt awkward, unsure… but she hadn’t quit.

Instead, she remembered a piece of consiglio she’d once heard:
“Immergiti nella lingua, anche se fa paura.”
Immerse yourself in the language, even when it feels scary.

So she did. And step by step, piano piano, her confidence grew.

🇮🇹 Versione in italiano (voce lenta – Antonio)

Antonio, facci sentire ogni parola, con calma.
Let us hear every word, slowly.

Elena teneva un diario di apprendimento.
Non ogni giorno—solo quando si sentiva bloccata… o ispirata.
Le serviva a notare i piccoli progressi che altrimenti avrebbe ignorato.

A volte le parole scorrevano facilmente.
 Altre volte voleva arrendersi.
 La sua motivazione andava su e giù.
Ma quando calava, tornava a qualcosa di semplice:
una canzone, una scena da un film, o uno dei suoi modi di dire preferiti.

Un giorno, dopo una conversazione difficile, ha scritto:
 “Oggi mi sono sentita come un pesce fuor d’acqua.”
Si era sentita a disagio, insicura… ma non si era fermata.

Invece, ha ricordato un consiglio che aveva sentito:
Immergiti nella lingua, anche se fa paura.

E così ha fatto. E a poco a poco, piano piano, la sua fiducia è cresciuta.

Myra:

Ok, Antonio — adesso senza rallentare.
Ok, Antonio — now without slowing down.

(Antonio repeats the passage at normal speed)

🔁 Active Recall – Category 5: Motivation, Idioms & Advice

Myra:
Let’s think back to Elena and her learning journal—the ups and downs, the moments of doubt, and the small victories.

As always, I’ll say the English, and you try to say the Italian word or expression before Antonio says it. You’ve got this!

1. What’s the Italian expression for “to immerse oneself in the language”?
    → Antonio: Immergersi nella lingua.
2. How do you say “to feel like a fish out of water”?
    → Antonio: Sentirsi come un pesce fuor d’acqua.
3. What do you call a notebook where you track what you’ve learned?
    → Antonio: Diario di apprendimento.
4. What’s the Italian word for “progress”?
    → Antonio: Progressi.
5. How do you say “motivation”?
    → Antonio: Motivazione.
6. What’s the word for “advice” or a helpful suggestion?
    → Antonio: Consiglio.
7. And finally, what’s the Italian phrase for an idiom or saying?
    → Antonio: Modo di dire.

🧠 Mini Quiz – Category 5: Motivation, Idioms & Advice

Myra:
Let’s try a few final sentences together. Say each one in Italian before Antonio does. Don’t worry if you’re unsure—anche i piccoli errori fanno parte del progresso.
Even small mistakes are part of progress.

Can you remember how to say, “Let’s roll up our sleeves”? Rimbocchiamoci le maniche!

1. Try to immerse yourself in the language.
    → Antonio: Cerca di immergerti nella lingua.
2. I felt like a fish out of water.
    → Antonio: Mi sono sentita come un pesce fuor d’acqua.
   (or: Mi sono sentito… if male)
3. She keeps a learning journal.
    → Antonio: Tiene un diario di apprendimento.
4. They’ve made a lot of progress.
    → Antonio: Hanno fatto molti progressi.
5. He needs more motivation.
    → Antonio: Ha bisogno di più motivazione.
6. That’s a great piece of advice.
    → Antonio: È un ottimo consiglio.
7. That’s an expression I’ve never heard before.
    → Antonio: È un modo di dire che non avevo mai sentito.

📘 Grammar Notes – Category 5: Motivation, Idioms & Advice

Immergersi nella lingua
A reflexive verb phrase meaning “to immerse oneself in the language.”

• Immergersi comes from immergere (to immerse), and the -si makes it reflexive.
• Example: È importante immergersi nella lingua ogni giorno.
  (It’s important to immerse yourself in the language every day.)

Sentirsi come un pesce fuor d’acqua
An idiomatic expression meaning “to feel out of place.”

• Sentirsi = to feel (reflexive), come = like, un pesce fuor d’acqua = a fish out of water.
• Example: All’inizio mi sentivo come un pesce fuor d’acqua.
  (At first, I felt like a fish out of water.)

Diario di apprendimento
Literally “learning diary” or “learning journal.”

• Diario is masculine, and di apprendimento means “of learning.”
• Example: Scrivo ogni sera nel mio diario di apprendimento.
  (I write in my learning journal every evening.)

Progressi
Plural noun meaning “progress.”

• Un progresso (a progress), i progressi (the progress).
• Example: Hai fatto molti progressi!
  (You’ve made a lot of progress!)

Motivazione
A feminine noun meaning “motivation.”

• From the verb motivare (to motivate).
• Example: La motivazione è importante per continuare a studiare.
  (Motivation is important for continuing to study.)

Consiglio
A masculine noun meaning “advice” or “suggestion.”

• Often used in the singular for “a piece of advice.”
• Example: Grazie per il consiglio!
  (Thanks for the advice!)

Modo di dire
Literally “way of saying,” it means idiom or expression.

• Modo = way, dire = to say.
• Example: “Avere le mani bucate” è un modo di dire italiano.
  ("To have holes in your pockets" is an Italian idiom.)

🎧 Outro – Wrap-Up & Thanks

Myra:
Once again, well done! That brings us to the end of this special vocabulary episode.

You’ve just explored five themed categories—from grammar tools and teaching perspectives to idioms, motivation, and what it means to feel come un pesce fuor d’acqua.

Taking time to preview key words like this helps you notice more, understand more, and feel more confident when listening to the full interview, coming up next with Dottoressa Chiara Brambilla.

💡 Don’t forget: there’s also a set of vocabulary flashcards for this episode.

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

And a huge thank you to Chiara — not only for joining us in this interview, but also for helping shape the story behind the scenes.
 Be sure to check out the downloadable grammar exercise that Chiara as gifted to us. It focuses on the imperative with pronouns — which just so happens to be the next grammar point we’ll be covering in the podcast.

You can find the exercise here:
 👉 L’imperativo e i pronomi – Extra 5 (PDF)
And as always, the link is also in the episode notes.

Antonio:
Io direi che meritate… una pausa. Ma solo breve, eh?
E poi: diario, vocabolario… e di nuovo a studiare!

I’d say you’ve earned… a break. But just a short one, eh?
 Then: journal, vocabulary… and back to studying!

Myra:
Grazie a tutti per averci ascoltato.
A presto… passo dopo passo, insieme.

Thank you all for listening.
 See you soon… step by step, together.