Looking for podcasts to learn Italian?
The internet has brought us many new language learning tools, among which the podcast.
For those who have been living under a rock, a podcast is like a radio show, without the musical interruptions, and you decide when you listen to it.
Since the invention of podcasts, it has become a great favorite of both language instructors and language learners. Here’s why.
Why should I use podcasts to learn Italian?
• It’s made for language learners
Anyone can start a podcast, which means these days you have endless options when it comes to picking one out.
Besides picking one that is close to your interests, there are many podcasts out there that are made for language learners. This means they will focus on stories that will be interesting for foreigners, share a little bit of cultural information, and help you learn your target language.
Even within the category of language learning podcasts, you will find many different types focussing on different aspects of language learning, as well as different levels of language skills.
Whatever it is you are looking for, you’ll sure find one that matches your needs.
• Learn at your own speed
Literally.
The great thing about podcasts is being able to adjust the playback speed to be slower or faster than the regular speed. If things are going too fast, play it at 0.75x, but if a podcast is making a deliberate effort to speak clearly and you think you can handle a bit more speed, change it to 1.25x and really train your listening skills.
• Improve your pronunciation
The great thing about radio, audiobooks and podcasts is that because you are only listening, it really trains your ear to focus on the pronunciation.
Many times, a foreign accent is a result of your brain thinking certain letters that are written down should be pronounced a certain way. This can be because of your native language, or because the pronunciation of a word doesn’t always make sense with phonetic rules.
By solely focusing on the listening you are training your ears to hear past the written form of words, and simply hear the way native speakers are pronouncing them.
• You can do it anywhere, anytime
As long as you have your phone with you (and let’s be honest, that is pretty much always), you can put on a podcast and start the language learning.
Whether you are brushing your teeth, commuting to work or taking a deliberate moment to practice your language skills, your favorite podcasts are always available and ready.
• It’s free
Language learning isn’t just for those who can afford fancy language schools.
Podcasts are freely available across many platforms like Apple podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify.
How can I use podcasts to learn Italian?
Okay, so we’ve gone over the why, but how exactly do you learn Italian with a podcast?
•Use lost time
One of my favorite things about podcasts is that because you are only listening, you can do it while doing something else.
Of course, to really take something in you need to pay some attention, but I used to listen to podcasts on my way to class, while walking the dog or even when I was cooking and cleaning.
It’s a great way to practice your language skills while doing something else, and taking advantage of the time you are already spending on another mindless activity.
This way, you don’t need extra hours in the day, you can simply use the ones you already have to squeeze in a little extra language learning.
• Create a habit
Building on the previous point:
If you have a daily commute, walk, or time dedicated for language learning – make it a daily or at least weekly habit.
Nothing will help your language skills unless you do it on a regular basis.
If you have a daily habit that you can use to listen to podcasts, you can easily create a new habit without having to change your current lifestyle. After all, habits are easier to keep up when integrated into your already existing routine.
• Listening practice
Listening is one of the most daunting aspects of language learning because it happens in real time.
Where an online chat conversation leaves time to think, or a quick Google Translate consultation, actual conversations happen in real-time, and if you have difficulty understanding spoken language, it can be a real struggle to have a conversation with a native speaker.
Podcasts offer you a safe space to practice your listening skills without having to answer back immediately. Unlike movies, you don’t have the visuals to help you understand context and meaning, but it is precisely the pure audio based learning that will help you master the skills of listening to an actual conversation.
• Cultural Context
Language and culture are two things that can not be separated. That is why many podcasts try to teach a language while talking about culture.
This is great, because it allows you to practice your skills, learn vocabulary that will be relevant when speaking to native speakers, and allows you to better understand the language as something beyond the rules of grammar.
Though it is great to be able to have a regular conversation about what your name is, how old you are and what your favorite color is, it is even better when you are able to reference a national holiday, or talk about music.
• Find something that matches your skills
There is no fun in listening to something you don’t understand because it’s way too complicated, or something that is too easy.
Not all language learning podcasts are alike, and neither are podcast listeners, so make sure you find one that matches your language skills as well as your interests.
• Write a review
Many podcasts are available for free, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help the creators. Let them know what you think, and show off your language skills by writing a review in your target language.
• Focus on the pronunciation
Because it is purely audio based, podcasts are a great way of improving your pronunciation.
Repeat a certain fragment and try to speak along.
Instead of listening for words, try listening for syllables. This will make it a lot easier to break down sounds and really get that native-like pronunciation.
Write down a phrase or paragraph, then record yourself saying it and compare it to the podcast recording. Comparing directly can help you pin-point and improve the areas you are struggling with the most.
• Look at the transcripts
Many podcasts these days offer a transcript of what is said. This allows you to read along, or refer back after you’re done listening to an episode.
This way you can easily see the spelling of new words, and look them up if you are unsure what they mean.
15 Podcasts to learn Italian
1. Coffee Break Italian
Level: Beginner
Coffee Break Italian has three hosts including Katie, who’s learning Italian along with the listeners. This is best to learn Italian through Spotify as a beginner, as you are learning with someone who also wants to learn the language. You will know common mistakes and learn alongside her.
2. Italy Made Easy Podcast
Level: Beginner
Manu created a free Italian where he speaks in slower Italian. His episodes are usually 10-15 minutes and they cover various topics related to Italy, such as weddings in Italy, Italian inventions, and Italian traditions.
This is a great podcast to immerse yourself in not just the language, but also the culture.
3. Fluent Simple
Level: Intermediate
The episodes for this podcasts are brief, usually just a minute or two long and are narrated entirely in slow Italian.
You can also find written Italian and English transcripts for each recording on their website which make it easier to study the language.
4. Podcast Italiano
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Listen to a native speaker who talks about the most diverse topics. Transcripts are available for listeners along with translations of difficult phrases.
There is not much content but the quality is really good so it is still worth checking out if you want to learn Italian through Spotify.
5. Arkos Academy Learn Italian
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This podcast doesn’t only help you practice your listening comprehension skills but also helps you learn about Italian culture.
The lessons are slower than in a normal podcast but this has almost no English.
6. Italiano Automatico
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Italiano Automatico has over 100 episodes now and it still keeps releasing content.
This is best for intermediate or advanced learners as the speakers do not always speak English.
7. News In Slow Italian
Level: Beginner to Advanced
News in Slow Italian is a cool podcast where you can improve your vocabulary through a bunch of topics such as current affairs. It will also be helpful to get the gist of the language present in the news.
This is an awesome way to learn Italian while keeping up with current affairs.
8. Learn Italian on Spotify
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Learn Italian through Spotify with this collection of audio courses that will take you from beginner lessons and travel necessities to advanced conversations.
9. Veleno
Level: Advanced
If you love crime stories, this is the best podcast to learn Italian with.
It revolves around a 20-year old true crime story. In these seven episodes, you will definitely learn new Italian vocabulary about crime and justice, as well as listen to high-quality Italian journalism.
10. Let’s Speak Italian
Level: Beginner
Learn Italian through Spotify in just a few minutes a day. Discover popular phrases, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, in lessons that are easy to digest and lasts not more than five minutes per lesson.
11. Senza Rossetto
Level: Advanced
An amazing podcast for feminists. This podcast was created to celebrate the anniversary of the first referendum with the participation of women. The short and sweet episodes talk about the problems women face in their daily lives.
12. Scientificast
Level: Advanced
If you are into Science, you will find this podcast very interesting.
The podcast has over 50 minutes every episode. The Scientificast’s library is very impressive and you can always choose almost 200 episodes to choose from.
13. AudioCast.IT
Level: Advanced
This is better than an Italian podcast. It is a directory of podcasts to learn Italian. There are various options that you can browse through and it’s impossible not to find something you will enjoy.
14. Let’s Learn Italian
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Learn Italian with these audio courses that will teach you everything from learning Italian greetings to travel necessities to advanced conversations.
15. 30 Minute Italian
Level: Beginner
Simple language learning tips that will teach you the common mistakes Italian learners make. This is great for those who want to learn Italian and sound like one.
Will you start using these podcasts to learn Italian?