Hi, Oscar asked me “how do you know when a word has double letters?”
I’m sorry, but we have only two rules:
the conditional have double consonants in the first person plural:
future/futuro
conditional/condizionale
andremo (we will go)
andremmo (we would go)
lavoreremo (we will work) ……….
lavoreremmo (we would work)
.
and
words ending with “zione” (azione, meditazione, lezione…) do not require a double consonant.
Usually, we listen to words and we can know the spelling.
Besides today I would like remember you some little things.
In Italian double consonants sound stronger and longer than in English.
How can you listen to or pronounce double consonants? Try to listen to the music and the beat of the sound. In Italian doubles letters always break into separate syllables, and double consonants tend to affect how the preceding vowel is pronounced so you have to practice a lot.
In the beginning you won’t hear them, but don’t worry: ask a native Italian to pronounce word pairs such as casa/cassa; papa/pappa; nono/nonno or pala/palla (the meaning changes) until you can hear the difference. Remember, in English you can listen to a similar sound in sentence as “busstop” or “baddog” and similar.
The Italian preposition “DI “ (=of) have different meanings:
.:
Space/Place: indicates the origin and we usually use it with the verb “to be”= “essere” — Sono DI Monza = I am from Monza (You have to say the name of the town)
Specifying/Possessive : Questo è il libro DI Paolo = This is Paolo’s book; Luca è il figlio DI Maria = Luca is Maria’s son
Material/Contenent: Un maglione DI cashmere = A cashmere sweater/ A sweater of cashmere ; Una bicchiere DI vino = A glass of wine
Partitive: indicates a part or an indefinite quantity (prepositions + definite article): — Uno DI noi = one of us ; DEI bambini= some children; DEGLI studenti= some students; Vorrei DEL pane = I’d like some bread
Conparison: Maria è più alta DI me = Maria is taller than me
In combination with some verbs: “Finisco DI” Non hai ancora finito DI leggere quell libro? = Have you finished reading that book yet?
The Council of Europe (Il Consiglio d’Europa) has developed a set of common standards in language learning, understandable across countries and institutions.
“The scheme proposed in the “Common European Framework of Reference: Learning, Teaching, Assessment” adopts a “Hypertext” branching principle, starting from an initial division into three broad levels:
Basic User: A1 and A2
Independent User: B1 and B2
Proficient User: C1 and C2
Such a simple “Global Scale” makes it easier to communicate the system to non-specialist users and will also provide teachers and curriculum planners with orientation points. [read more]”
Ciao, why come to Rome? As you know there are a lot of good reasons to come here, first of all the opportunity to cultural exchange in a city steeped in history and culture. Now there is a new good occasion: from April 4th to May 25th the “FotoGrafia-Rome’s International Festival” seventh edition, titled “Seeing normality. Photography portrays daily life” and sponsored by the Municipality of Rome.
If you like photography and you want to visit Rome important museum, I suggest you don’t miss this opportunity! There are many free exhibitions of Italian and international photographers around the city and you could speak and listen to Italian.
– In the meanwhile, to improve your Italian I posted a new piece of information about Italian future tense [click here]
Are you planning to go to Italy? Do you like to learn Italian in Rome?
Ciao Italia language school offers 20% discount for new students on Italian language courses starting on 5th May and 19th May in Standard Group Courses include 4-hour per day (more than 3 students) or 3-hour per day (less than 4 students).
Ciao Italia language schoolis open year round and offers courses for all levels from beginners to advanced.
Standard Group Courses include 4-hour per day (more than 3 students) or 3-hour per day (less than 4 students) intensive course, from Monday to Friday, for 2 weeks minimum (each lesson lasts 55 minutes).
If you are interested, please contact the secretary’s office, but mention me or this blog as your referrer (don’t miss out on this opportunity!).
The secretary office will find you a convenient suitable apartment near the school in the characteristic district of Monti, within walking distance of the Colosseum, the Fori, and the Central Railway Station.
Accommodation can be booked only for the duration of the course mail: info@ciao-italia.it
Vi scrivo solo due righe per informarvi che mi hanno invitato ad un gruppo molto carino su Flickr. In questo gruppo si impara l’italiano cercando di usare le foto (per creare vocabolari visuali) e traducendo le frasi o le espressioni importanti.
Vi consiglio di “dare un’occhiata” e, se vi piace, di iscrivervi al gruppo. Questo è il link (vi ricordo che i link su questo blog sono di colore verde e non sono sottolineati, quindi fate attenzione, soprattutto per ascoltare la musica).
Buona giornata a tutti.
.
P.S. Vi ho detto che la scorsa settimana sono andata a Orvieto?
.Vi ho inserito una foto (le altre le potete vedere su Flickr: basta seguire il link che è sulla foto), così potete farvi un’idea della bellezza di questa cittadina dell’Umbria.
Two days ago Julie, an ex-student of mine, asked me what my goal was in teaching Italian on line (for free).
I teach Italian every day and I like my job very much. I think internet is a perfect way to share “know how” and information.
In every University or Italian language school, teachers speak Italian and I as well teach in Italian 🙂 We teach you in Italian because it is very useful and it works.
I use the “communicative” approach with an analysis of grammatical structures and the language of daily life: I give student information about language used in everyday situations to enjoy Italian life. But I can sense the initial student’s frustration at not being able to understand and speak Italian quickly.
I dislike such frustration. My goal is to improve your ability in Italian grammar and also your skills to listen to Italian with more confidence. Also, I think that you need basic skill from which you can then develop fast and well, and I can help you on line to reach this. So if you are moving to Italy to study Italian, I recommend that you start learning Italian now.
Of course, to improve your speaking skills you need an everyday amusing course in Italy or to speak with an Italian friend or teacher in your country.
Anyway, you can find the first little vocabulary (only 25 basic words) + the second part (50 words) on the page “Italian classes” where I usually write all the little lessons that I think for all of you.
Chiedo scusa per l’inglese (troppo e pessimo) a tutti gli studenti che sgrido ogni volta che non parlano in italiano.
Spero mi giustificherete 😉
learn Italian language 