
We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
Impariamo lâitaliano piano piano is a story-based podcast designed for B1 to B2 Italian language learners who want to immerse themselves in engaging narratives while strengthening their grammar and vocabulary. Novices are welcome tooâbecause we take everything piano piano, one gentle step at a time.
Each episode unfolds through an ongoing story, allowing you to experience Italian in context, naturally reinforcing key structures like the imperfetto, passato prossimo, and congiuntivo. Youâll also get guided practice, interactive exercises, and cultural insights to help you think, speak, and write in Italian with more confidence.
With the help of Antonio, a familiar voice you'll get to know throughout the episodes, your host Myra is an instructional designer and passionate language learner who understands the challenges of mastering Italian as an adult. She has designed this podcast to help learners like you take their skills to the next levelâpiano piano, step by step.
đ Looking for full episode transcripts?
If you donât see them on your listening platform, you can find them on Buzzsprout here:
https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com
đ Listen, learn, and improve your Italian fluencyâone chapter at a time!
We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
đ Bonus Episode 05 Preview â Vocabulary for our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
đ Bonus Episode 05 Previewâ Vocabulary for our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Vocabulary Boost for Interview Episode 01 â Preview Version
đ Like the podcast? You can now buy me a coffee here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/welearnitalian
In this special bonus episode, we preview the vocabulary you'll hear in our interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Grafâcreator of the renowned Italian Language and Culture course on edX.
We begin with one full category:
đŤ Academic & Educational Language
âď¸ Vocabulary in context
âď¸ Active recall practice
âď¸ Mini quiz with Antonio
âď¸ Clear grammar notes to deepen understanding
đŻ Want more? The full episode includes four additional categories:
đ§ Study habits & strategies
đŁď¸ Language & communication
đ§ą Grammar awareness
đ§ł Cultural & regional curiosities
To access the complete versionâwith all five vocabulary sections, quizzes, and interactive supportâclick Support the Show in the episode notes.
đ§ Learn more. Understand more. Enjoy the interview piano pianoâone word at a time.
All content Š 2025 Impariamo lâitaliano piano piano â Un impegno quotidiano
đ§ Welcome to We learn Italian step by step / Impariamo lâitaliano piano piano
đ Bonus Episode 05 Preview - Vocabulary from our Interview with Professoressa Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Vocabulary Boost for Interview Episode 01
Myra: Benvenuti a questa puntata speciale! đ§ Welcome to this special bonus episode!
In questa sessione, esploriamo alcune parole ed espressioni chiave â some key words and expressions â that youâll hear in the interview with Professor Daniela Bartalesi-Graf.â la creatrice del famoso corso online âItalian Language and Cultureâ on edX.
Weâve organized the vocabulary into three useful categories â linguaggio accademico, strategie di apprendimento e grammatica & consigli pratici â academic language, learning strategies, and grammar & practical advice.
As always, youâll hear the words in context, practice with active recall exercises, and test yourself with a mini quiz.
Antonio: Sono pronto, Myra. Questa volta mi sento... accademico!
Myra: Perfect! Cominciamo!
đŤ Category 1: Academic & Educational Language
Vocabulary:
- accessibilitĂ â accessibility
- bagaglio culturale â cultural background
- coetaneo / coetanea â peer (in mindset or life stage)
- flessibilitĂ â flexibility
- trasparenza â transparency
đ§ Contextual Introduction â English (with vocabulary in Italian)
Three friends take a trip togetherânot only because they are the same age, but because theyâve grown through life side by side. Theyâre coetanei in spirit: open, curious, and used to learning from each other.
They share a rich bagaglio culturaleâmemories of old films, family sayings, and an appreciation for the same small things: a quiet piazza, a well-made coffee, and discovering the local cuisineânot the fancy dishes, but the kind of food that tells you where you are.
At their hotel, they notice how much accessibilitĂ mattersânot just ramps and elevators, but clear paths, helpful staff, and signs that donât leave room for doubt. Thereâs trasparenza in every detail, from check-in to the breakfast buffet.
And when the day doesnât go as planned? Their plans shift with flessibilitĂ . They laugh, they adjust, they keep exploring.
đŽđš Versione in italiano (voce lenta â Antonio)
Per favore Antonio.
Tre amici fanno un viaggio insiemeânon solo perchĂŠ hanno la stessa etĂ , ma perchĂŠ hanno vissuto tante esperienze fianco a fianco. Sono coetanei nello spirito: aperti, curiosi e abituati a imparare gli uni dagli altri.
Condividono un ricco bagaglio culturaleâricordi di vecchi film, modi di dire di famiglia, e un apprezzamento per le stesse piccole cose: una piazza tranquilla, un caffè fatto bene, e la scoperta della cucina localeânon i piatti eleganti, ma quei cibi che ti dicono dove sei.
In albergo, notano quanto conti davvero lâaccessibilitĂ ânon solo rampe ed ascensori, ma anche percorsi chiari, personale disponibile, e indicazioni che non lasciano spazio ai dubbi. Câè trasparenza in ogni dettaglio, dal check-in alla colazione a buffet.
E quando la giornata non va come previsto? Cambiano programma con flessibilitĂ . Ridono, si adattano, continuano a esplorare.
Myra: Thank you Antonio. And now at normal speed please.
(Antonio reads a second time at normal speed.)
đ Active Recall â Category 1: Academic & Educational Language
đ Myra:
Letâs review some key vocabulary from that story.
Before we start, donât worry if you donât remember everything.
Just try to picture the scene we talked aboutâthose three friends traveling togetherâand see what words come back to you. You might surprise yourself!
Iâll say it in Englishâcan you remember the Italian word before Antonio says it? Vediamo!
1. Whatâs the word for women who share the same stage of life or mindset?
â Antonio: Coetaneeâforma femminile plurale.
(Thatâs the feminine plural form.)
2. How do you say âcultural background,â especially the kind you share through memories and habits?
â Antonio: bagaglio culturale
3. What word means âaccessibility,â not just physical, but also emotional or informational clarity?
â Antonio: accessibilitĂ
4. Whatâs the Italian word for âtransparency,â when things are open, honest, and clear?
â Antonio: trasparenza
5. And what about âflexibilityââthe ability to adapt or adjust when plans change?
â Antonio: flessibilitĂ
đ§ Mini Quiz â Category 1: Academic & Educational Language
Myra:
Try to say each sentence in Italian before Antonio gives the answer. Use the pause button if you need to. Mettiamoci alla prova! (Letâs put ourselves to the test!)
1. The hotel was accessible to everyone.
Antonio: Lâalbergo era accessibile a tutti.
2. There was transparency in every decision.
Antonio: Câera trasparenza in ogni decisione.
3. They appreciated the flexibility of the plan.
Antonio: Hanno apprezzato la flessibilitĂ del piano.
4. We are the same age, but we are peers in other ways also.
Antonio: Abbiamo la stessa etĂ , ma siamo coetanei anche in altri sensi.
5. They share a strong cultural background.
Antonio: Condividono un forte bagaglio culturale.
đ END OF PREVIEW â Bonus Episode 05
Myra:
Bravissimi! That wraps up our first categoryâAcademic and Educational Language.
Antonio:
Aspetta⌠solo una categoria?
(Wait⌠only one category?)
Myra:
Yes, Antonio. The rest is reserved for our wonderful supporters.
Antonio (mock outrage):
Ma io ero pronto per parlare di dialetti, gergo, participi passati...
(I was ready to talk about dialects, slang, past participlesâŚ)
Myra:
And you willâin the full version. Along with four more vocabulary categories, recall exercises, grammar notes⌠and yes, your dramatic moment too.
Antonio (softening):
Ah, allora va bene. Ma diteglielo, eh?
Myra:
Of course.
đ To hear the full bonus episodeâand access all our extra learning materialsâjust click Support the Show in the episode notes.
Antonio:
Io vi aspetto⌠con la mia voce perfetta.
(Iâll be waiting for you⌠with my perfect voice.)
Myra:
Grazie mille for listeningâand learning piano piano with us.
Antonio:
Ci vediamo nella versione completa!
(See you in the full version!)