I’ve tried many tools for learning a language from apps to podcasts to books. This is one of the best.
The focus on real world situations and grammar sets it apart from solutions like Duolingo, which spend hours training you on less useful phrases without giving you the grammar tools to own the language. I have more confidence with Italian after four months than people I know who have been using Duolingo for years.
Each episode has a perfect mix of vocabulary, stories, grammar, with native speaker pronunciation and pauses so you can practice. Mark is relentless about translating every word that’s spoken, providing literal translations to help you master phrases, and pointing out the nitty gritty details that help you sound like a native. The hosts are personable, and it’s fantastic that Mark and Francesca are still producing new content so many years in. I can’t believe that this much top shelf material is available for free. It’s also great that you can play the podcasts in the background so you can get language learning in on the go, or as Francesca says “Turn your downtime into do time.”
I use this as a compliment to other programs and books and very much like the approach and the repetition, use! The only thing is please stop mentioning Spanish and French in the episodes, I dont care about those languages and if you have studied them, I havent and same with many others, this is learn Italian!
First two seasons quite good but once season 3 starts it's basically impossible to learn anything it just back and forth without breaking down anything with so much h known vocabulary, I so bummed
I listen while doing my nightly routine. Quick and lots of repetition to get it on your head. I wish we did more repetition of things we learn in the second half of the lessons but overall amazing!
I have been trying to learn Italian for several years. My mother and Grandparents were born in Sicily and I am wanting to go there on vacation. I want to be able to communicate especially if I see any cousins. I have tried apps and classes this has helped me the best. I can replay episodes to help me remember. I love that they actual have Francesca that is from Italy that corrects the pronunciation. They also teach formal and informal grammar and actual sentences that we would use when traveling. I will recommend these podcasts to everyone that is trying to learn a language.
I am in love with this podcast! CBI is helping me greatly with my learning of Italian. I signed up for the enhanced version so that I can access the notes and the bonus episodes and when I have time to sit and write, I take my own notes as well. Then when I am driving or working out or walking I listen to the podcast by itself. I love the format in that there is a teacher and a native speaker (who is also a teacher) and a student. The student makes the exact same mistakes I make, such as accidentally mixing in a Spanish word here and there, or not bouncing enough on the double consonants. She asks great questions. And the two teachers, both the native and non-native speaker, help so much with correct pronunciation. I spoke to some Italian speakers in person and they said my accent was very good; that I sounded much like a native speaker. Another thing I love about CBI is that they teach how people really speak and they answer questions I was wondering about myself, such as “when would you switch from saying buon giorno to buona sera, and does anyone really say buon pomeriggio?” They anticipate actual conversations and in one of my favorite lessons, language problems, for example, what to say if you don’t understand or if you would like the person you are speaking with to speak more slowly. They teach polite, formal ways of asking questions as well as informal ways; this is so important to me because I would never want to be inadvertently rude in another language! Finally, I think my favorite part of CBI is the kind and engaging nature of Mark, Francesca, and Katie. I just love them. Their love of the Italian language and their enthusiasm and encouragement make a real difference in how it “feels” to learn with this podcast. I am so grateful to them for creating CBI. Grazie💕
These hosts are fantastic teachers. The pace they set over the seasons is well thought out. They enunciate so well without speaking too slow or fast, allowing listeners to grasp enough to make nice progress and learn. Love this app!
I’m learning Italian using an app (Speakly) at the same time. It uses more of an immersion approach which is great, but it doesn’t give you as much context as Coffee Break Italian. CBI doesn’t bang you over the head with grammar, but it gives you enough to recognize patterns and know what to use when.
CBI also focuses on situations and scenarios, telling you not just how to ask questions but what to expect as answers.
It’s the perfect complement to an app like Duolingo or Speakly.
I have been learning Italian for a few months now and Coffee Break Italian has quickly become the best source of knowledge I have found! The hosts are incredible at teaching the intricacies of the language while making it fun and interesting. They also share a wealth of information as they explain the rules of the language and put it to practice in real life situations. I can’t wait to continue my Italian journey with this podcast!
Anthony
I love the concept & Francesca ma Marco needs to go.
His accent is BEYOND distracting especially in SEASON 3 ,“where we’ll help you SOUND more Italian .”
Just get him to shut up & the podcast would be “fantastico”
Love this podcast! I’m learning Italian on my own and this podcast makes it easy! The explanations are wonderful- I enjoy the entire thing. The pace is perfect and the lessons are useful- it’s perfect! Grazie! ❤️
Grazie Molto per me emparando l’italiano. This is so fantastic. On episode 10 season 1 and I feel like I can have a decent conversation already. With many months to come I’m excited to learn more before me vacanza en Italia!
Grazie mille a tutti! Thank you for such a great podcast and great lessons. I love being able to learn on my own time and at my own pace. Having the ability to review older episodes and use it to test myself, have been great resources. Keep up the great work!
Mark and Francesca, the two instructors, are excellent teachers and absolutely delightful to listen to, you immediately become addicted which is the best way to learn a language. I absolutely love this podcast and highly recommend it.
I didn’t buy the whole package which would probably be helpful, but I have been listening on my own and taking notes and I think this podcast is a wonderful way to assist in learning Italian. It is not easy and requires a lot of work, but this podcast is great.
I am not new to Italian, but I’m mostly self-taught. This podcast has been great for learning and filling in gaps that I’ve missed. I really appreciate the explanation and overall practice. Highly recommended!!
This Podcast is very fun. My favorite is the Travel Diaries. I bought the $35 Season 6 on their site and really enjoyed having the printed manuscript of the spoken podcast. I’ve learned so much with them. It really helped with my studies at the university.
I’m thrilled a friend recommended this wonderful podcast to me! I moved to Italy recently and I’m finding this show to be an invaluable resource!
I will certainly be promoting this show on my own podcast, “I’m Moving to Italy!” 🇮🇹
Ciao Ciao Ciao! - Nathan Heinrich
It's been a lifelong dream to delve into Italian lessons...ironically, it took a pandemic to give me the extra time--am so enjoying the process (went to the very beginning)--thank you for a thoughtfully-created and accessible podcast--it all helps to keep our global community connected--God bless!
Coffee Break Italian has been a really useful and helpful source for learning italian. It is really fun, organize, clear and you can understand everything. Amazing I recommend it 100%
I finished the duolingo Italian course and was looking for a new way to supplement my Italian studies - Coffee Break Italian is helpful even as a review! Each episode I either learn something new or get valuable practice speaking questions out loud and forming new sentences. So glad I found this podcast!! Thank you!!
This podcast is awesome! The lessons are small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed but have enough content that you feel like you can actually say something or ask something in Italian! Loving it all so far!
The soap opera is what brought me here. I hope there is a part 2!!
Oh I had to adjust my review because now I love the Magazine! One request- when reviewing the “article” leave un po secondo for us to repeat after the italian before revealing the English. It’s great practice but a lot of pausing on my end. Your the best!!
I’ve been learning for 4 months and I’m so happy to have found this fun, entertaining show! Grazie Mille!
I can’t recommend this podcast enough. I’ve done Babbel, online group classes, and an online tutor. Marc and Francesca are master teachers. They have organized the lessons in such a thoughtful and clear manner. Plus, they mix it up to keep the episodes fun and engaging. Marc has a fabulous ability to breakdown complexities and deliver it with grace and humor. LOVE IT! Thank you for all the great work!
This podcast is so good for helping you learn Italian! They go through all of the information thoroughly and explain why it is that way. I listen whenever I can! Thanks Mark, Francesca, and Katie!
Ciao ragazzi! Mark, Francesca and Katie. This is so fun, structured and professional. You guys make it so fun and easy to learn. Seite bravi. Grazie mille. Azi
I’ve listened to 70 episodes so far and am still constantly impressed with Mark and Francesca’s thoughtful and skillful teaching methods and their appreciation for and mastery of the language (Francesca is a native speaker). They clearly take their jobs seriously but their approach is very loose, cheerful and supportive. Of all my methods of learning (online course, YouTube videos, tutor...), it’s this podcast that has helped the most.
These guys are great! They go on such a great gradient so you’re not spinning out with too hard of a start. They start easy and gradually increase it to more and more. It’s very easy and entertaining to listen to. I’ve been listening for 6 months now and have learned so much!! Thank you!!
I’m so happy I found this podcast! Francesca and Mark are very thorough with their explanations as well as very entertaining and positive! This has done wonders for my Italian and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
