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5 Podcasts for Learning Italian

If you’re studying and learning the Italian language like me and don’t live in Italy, I bet you are looking for ways to connect with the language. But what is the best way to learn Italian on your own?? Can Italian be learn through podcasts? I strongly believe podcasts can be hugely beneficial if you are studying the language. Not only do you get to know local words and nuances from the host but also understand the culture better! Podcasts are an excellent way to imbibe language learning in your day to day life. Here are 5 podcasts for learning Italian perfect for beginner to intermediate levels. Enjoy!

5 Podcasts for Learning Italian

1. Quattro Stagioni

One of the very first podcasts I ever listened to was “Quattro Stagioni. A podcast for A2 leven and above, Quattro Stagioni is hosted by the lovely Alessandra Pasqui. The podcast has regular episodes every 2 weeks for a duration of about 4-6 minutes. I think that is the brilliance of this podcast because they really take into account today’s environment.

With our attention spans being so short these days, Quattro Stagioni is excellent! The podcast host makes sure to include every possible topic on the Italian culture and language.  If you are a beginner, don’t worry too much on the vocabulary because Quattro Stagioni has transcriptions on their website. 

Listen to Quattro Stagioni on Spotify

2. News in Slow Italian

As the name suggests, this podcast is quite simply “News in Slow Italian“. It helps you learn Italian language at a slow and quiet pace. With has over 500 episodes and counting, News in Slow Italian is a podcast gives a view of not only Italy but everything about events across the world. If you download their app, there is an option of Change of Pace so that you can listen to the podcast at your pace.

If you’re an advanced learner you can increase the pace of the podcast too. News in Slow Italian is a perfect podcast for Intermediates too. Listen to News in Slow Italian on Spotify

3. Coffee Break Italian

A pioneer of Italian podcasts on the Internet, Coffee Break Italian is a gem of a find both for beginners and intermediates. With hosts Mark, Maurizio and Francesca, Coffee Break Italian offers Italian learning opportunities on the go.

You can make notes while listening to Coffee Break Italian because Francesca always shares cultural anecdotes and facts on the Italian language. I have noticed a huge difference in my Italian vocabulary simply because of regular listening to podcasts and music. Listen to Coffee Break Italian on Spotify

Further Reading: Learning Italian with 11 songs!

4. Podcast Italiano

Podcast Italiano is another excellent podcast to help you improve your Italian listening skills if you are an intermediate or advanced speaker. Hosted by Davide Gemello, Podcast Italiano delves deep in the culture of Italy and includes both serious and fun topics (quarantine, LGBT, interviews with locals etc). This is a much longer podcast compared to the others mentioned in this post. Once you start listening, you’ll be addicted! While the host Davide also offers options for beginners, pre- intermediate, intermediates or advanced, I particularly feel the podcast is for intermediates and above. Davide highly recommends playing his podcasts again and again to retain more words. Listen to Podcast Italiano on Spotify

5. Con Parole Nostre

Three lovely Italian ladies, Barbara, Silvia and Elfin, started Con Parole Nostre.

This podcast has 67 episodes and is hosted by Italian language teachers who are zealous about their culture and land. While the podcast is now no longer active, I suggest you to still go through the old episodes and listen to them speaking. You might feel like you are sitting and chatting with three passionate friends over coffee. Con Parole Nostre is a breezy podcast and offers a pivotal and honest insight into the Italian culture! Listen to Con Parole Nostre on Spotify

The Pantheon, Rome

The Pantheon, Rome (Credits: Unsplash)

Conclusion:

Learning Italian with podcasts is a great way to passively study the language. Podcasts help in many ways:

  1. They are a more fun way to learn new words in a language
  2. They are informative and offer insights into the culture
  3. Podcasts can be repeatedly played
  4. Podcasts can be played on the go- anytime anywhere! 

Check out more Italian language posts here!

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27 Comments

  • Paula Guard
    February 8, 2021 at 2:29 am

    Love con parole nostre and podcast italiano, but find that coffee break Italian is a little slow, with too much English. Thanks for the recommendations!

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      February 8, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      Hi Paula, thanks so much for your comment. I think Coffee Break Italian is more for early intermediates and beginners. Yes, there is English involved 🙂

      Reply
  • […] 5 Podcasts to Listen if you’re learning Italian […]

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  • Kathryn Occhipinti
    July 20, 2020 at 3:17 am

    Nice list! I agree with your choices and included all in a segment I write for Fra Noi Magazine in Chicago. I will look for the new Quattro Stagione now that I know about this new podcast. Thanks for keeping us up to date!

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      July 20, 2020 at 11:09 am

      Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll be sure to check it out tonight. Best from india.

      Reply
  • […] Check out 5 podcasts of learning Italian […]

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  • […] out these 5 Podcasts if you’re learning […]

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  • […] 5 Podcasts for Learning Italian […]

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  • […] 5 Podcasts for Learning Italian […]

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  • […] 5 Podcasts for Learning Italian […]

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  • […] 5 Podcasts for Learning Italian […]

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  • […] 5 Podcasts for Learning Italian […]

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  • cookingwithloveandspices
    May 22, 2020 at 10:00 pm

    Hello Ishita:

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I have spent this down time to catch up on my life. I have gotten a lot done. Right now I am catching up on my blog and scheduling posts for every Saturday at noon Eastern Standard U.S. Time. Hope to be caught up by next week. Then I have to ready myself to go back to work in June. Next project after that is to finally crack open my Italian Rosetta Stone Kit and start learning Italian. Thanks for these tips.

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      May 24, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Ciao Kamini!! You are such a talented cook. So glad to know you are catching up on things 🙂 Keep me posted on your Italian journey. Maybe we can help each other. ciao.

      Reply
      • cookingwithloveandspices
        May 24, 2020 at 5:16 pm

        Sure. I love Italy and I love your blog. What were you thinking of in terms of helping each other?

        Reply
        • Italophilia
          May 24, 2020 at 7:12 pm

          In the sense of learning Italian together. Maybe listening to a new podcast episode every week 🙂

          Reply
  • Em
    May 11, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    I also find “Learn with Lucrezia” “Vaporetto Italiano”, “Pensieri e Parole” and ” Italy Made Easy” are all excellent. I loved Al Dente, but I have not tried Con Parole Nostre…will do now!

    Reply
  • Ilene Modica
    January 2, 2020 at 8:50 pm

    Thank you for some new possibilities!

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      January 4, 2020 at 11:32 am

      Happy to share 🙂 How is your Italian?? especially seeing that you spent a year in Italy!

      Reply
  • bookwormmuse
    June 2, 2019 at 2:58 am

    Yes! Thank you for this one! I had been wondering about which podcasts could help me and it couldn’t have come at a better time. So, thank you!

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      June 2, 2019 at 10:54 am

      I’m so happy to help! Thanks for reading xx

      Reply
  • Sonia
    June 2, 2019 at 12:19 am

    There’s one that is particularly annoying to me and I’m so glad you didn’t mention it! Podcasts helped me so much when I was preparing for my move. I didn’t realize it until I got here and thought to myself, ‘hey… they said that phrase in my podcast!’

    I’ve just downloaded Con Nostre Parole and I can’t wait to listen to it!

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      June 2, 2019 at 10:53 am

      Oh really. I’m curious to know 😉 I’m sure they were a big help to you. Happy Sunday!

      Reply
  • Lorelle
    June 1, 2019 at 4:08 pm

    I’m actually in the middle of coffee break Italian as we speak. It’s a great podcast and it keeps me continually in touch with the language. Xx

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      June 1, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      Oh what a coincidence! And yes, it does. Buon divertimento. xx

      Reply

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