Are you struggling to learn Italian as an expat in Italy? Have you hit a plateau and can’t seem to make progress? If you’ve tried everything and are losing motivation, reading may be the key to getting unstuck and accelerating your learning. Joining an online book club specifically tailored for English speakers like yourself could be just what you need.
In this blog post, we will explore
Ciao! I’m Laura Scaramella, a teacher and teacher trainer of Italian as a second language with over fifteen years of experience teaching the beautiful language. Throughout my career, I have primarily taught adults in group settings and trained other teachers. I am also the founder of Parla Italiano, an online Italian school (https://www.parlaitaliano.co.uk/group-italian-courses/). Language acquisition and reading have always been areas of great interest to me.
At my school, we offer a book club on Zoom that aims to help learners appreciate the language and culture through reading native Italian authors. As someone who learned English as an adult, I have personally experienced the power of reading in deepening my understanding and appreciation of a language’s intricacies and beauty. Now, let’s delve into how reading can benefit you on your Italian learning journey.
If you’ve lost your motivation, it could be because you no longer see noticeable improvements in your language skills. Maybe you feel like you’re forgetting words instead of learning new ones. In such cases, a motivation boost is essential, and reading within the supportive environment of a book club can provide just that.
First and foremost, reading something you enjoy brings pleasure. The satisfaction of reading texts meant for native speakers can be particularly fulfilling. For example, if you love thrillers, you might persevere even when the content becomes challenging because you’re eager to unravel the story. Being part of a book club further enhances motivation, as all members strive to contribute meaningfully and will work harder to do so. However, the benefits of reading extend beyond motivation.
If you’ve been trying to learn Italian by memorizing word lists, you may have realized that this approach is ineffective. Our brains and memories work through connections and pathways. To retain a new word in your memory, it’s more beneficial to “anchor” it to something already there. A list of unrelated words will soon be forgotten because our brains naturally retain meaningful information.
The power of context and storytelling not only makes vocabulary more memorable but also contributes meaning to words, even unfamiliar ones. Storytelling is humanity’s natural way of sharing information and experiences, making it an incredibly powerful tool for language learning.
If reading in a foreign language is a natural way to learn, why does it feel so difficult? Perhaps you’ve chosen books that are still too advanced for your current level of Italian, or maybe you haven’t yet developed the right reading techniques.
You can read in a foreign language at any level, but if you’re a beginner or lower-intermediate student, it’s recommended to start with graded texts. These texts are not intended for native Italian speakers but are prepared for language learners and simplified according to their proficiency level. They are usually categorized based on word count, such as 500 words for beginners and up to 1,500 words for intermediate learners.
Authentic materials, such as novels and short stories written for native speakers, are more suitable for upper-intermediate and advanced students.
After using graded texts for a while, you may want to graduate to authentic materials intended for native speakers. Here are five techniques that can help you build confidence:
Before diving into the text, try to glean information from the title, images, and genre of the book. These elements provide valuable clues about what to expect and can enhance your understanding as you read.
A common mistake many students make when reading a book is wanting to understand every single word on the first read. However, this approach is exhausting and often leads to frustration, eventually causing some to abandon the task altogether. Instead, choose a manageable portion of the text to read—for example, one chapter of a novel or half of the first chapter if it’s lengthy—and read it from beginning to end without worrying about grasping every detail. Read as if you’re immersing yourself in the words, aiming to absorb the overall feeling rather than comprehending everything.
Don’t worry if your comprehension feels incomplete at this stage. Your mind is already at work, even if you don’t consciously realize it. Try to piece together the meaning by connecting key words you’ve encountered. Additionally, think logically about cause-and-effect relationships in the text. For instance, if something happens, what typically follows that action?
During your second read, underline words that you don’t understand. However, be selective and underline only the words you deem truly important. Not all words carry equal weight. For instance, in a chapter, you may only need to underline 5-8 words and still grasp a significant portion of the text. Underline these words but refrain from looking them up immediately. Continue reading until the end.
Now it’s time to consult a dictionary. Look up the words you underlined earlier. Afterward, you may choose to read the entire passage again. By only focusing on a few key and memorable words, they will become an integral part of your expanding vocabulary.
Joining an online book club in Italian can be immensely beneficial to your motivation. Sharing the reading experience with others increases your enthusiasm and provides additional learning opportunities. You can learn from your fellow club members, as well as from a teacher if one is facilitating the club. Being accountable to the club reduces the likelihood of abandoning the task. Furthermore, a book club introduces you to new authors you may not have discovered otherwise.
A book club that focuses on Italian literature will expose you to works by Italian authors, enhancing your language learning experience. Language and culture are deeply intertwined, and gaining insights into Italian culture will deepen your understanding of the language itself.
A good book club should be welcoming and create a comfortable environment for all participants. Look for a club moderated by a native Italian teacher who can provide cultural context and help unravel the deeper meanings within the texts. During club sessions, members typically discuss the story as a whole, the characters, and specific language elements they’ve encountered. These discussions may include new words, phrases, or particularly evocative and well-written passages.
If you’ve never joined a book club before, it can be daunting to do so in a foreign language. To ensure the best experience, ask these questions before joining:
Do you know you level? Take test to find out HERE.
There are several ways to find a book club in Italy as an expat. Here are a few examples:
1. Visit and inquire at bookshops specializing in Italian language books.
2. Use online platforms like Meetup. Register on the platform and search for Italian book clubs. Keep in mind that while Meetup is a large platform with numerous groups, finding a suitable one may require some trial and error.
3. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Search for pages and accounts focused on Italian as a foreign language or language learning in general. Ask for recommendations or inquire about book clubs.
4. Of course, you can also consider joining Parla Italiano’s book club (https://www.parlaitaliano.co.uk/group-italian-courses/). The club offers a variety of well-known Italian authors like Ferrante and Calvino, as well as lesser-known but equally interesting authors such as Andrea de Carlo and Lorenzo Marone.
Each chosen book is explored gradually, we read one chapter at a time.
To enhance the reading experience, a helpful worksheet is provided, which serves as a valuable companion. This worksheet not only assists in comprehending the content of each chapter but also aids in preparing for the discussions during the meetings. Its guidance ensures that readers delve deeper into the material and extract maximum value from their reading journey.
The worksheet, however, serves as a helpful guide, allowing ample room for readers to freely express their personal views.
At the book club meetings, all discussions are conducted exclusively in Italian, with the aim of fostering fluency and proficiency in the language.
Our next book club starts soon, get in touch to find out what we are reading HERE.
Before diving into the assigned reading, take some time to research the author and the book. Gather clues from the book itself, including its genre and any accompanying illustrations or images.
As you start reading, apply the techniques mentioned earlier. Use the dictionary sparingly, only for words you feel are truly important.
If you own the book, underline passages that aid in character understanding, explain key events, or resonate with you on a poetic level. Take notes on specific points you’d like to discuss during the book club sessions and jot down any questions you have for better comprehension.
In summary, reading is a natural and effective way to learn Italian. By employing the right techniques and joining a supportive book club, you can enhance your language learning experience. Remember:
– Reading doesn’t require understanding every word immediately.
– Use the dictionary sparingly, focusing on the most meaningful words.
– Each time you read the text again, you’ll deepen your understanding. Summarize what you’ve understood after each read.
– Join a welcoming book club that aligns with your goals.
– Read works by Italian authors in Italian to gain a richer cultural understanding, which in turn deepens your language comprehension.
Please get in touch if you wish to have more information HERE.
As an expat living in Athens, finding reliable medical services that meet your specific needs can be a challenge. At Genelabs, we are here to
Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure, but it can also come with challenges, especially when it comes to accessing reliable healthcare. At
Since US election day I’ve had lots of questions from people on how to move abroad. Interestingly, some belief moving abroad entails literally just driving
The recent U.S. election results have sparked intense reactions across the country, and the win by Trump is already influencing Americans’ plans for the future.
Moving abroad is a thrilling adventure full of exciting new experiences, but when it comes to finances, the journey can feel like a maze! From opening a bank account in a new currency to understanding taxes and finding the best way to transfer money back home, there’s a lot to learn. No worries—we’ve got you covered.
Relocating abroad is always an exciting adventure, but for many expats, the logistics of moving money across borders can be a daunting task. Whether you’re
After 36 months you have the right to renew at 0 cost and at 25%. This is conditional on the following
When asked to present screenshots for deals, you are able to do so and miss no more than 9x deals through the entirety of the agreement. This means that the work required to grow the network is being done consistently.
Send you 25% of all revenue generated via the following sources:
OUR AFFILIATE SYSTEM This is a bonus if you happen to have your own audience. You will be automatically approved to our affiliate system allowing you to earn 25% on any fees generated from your own audience (i.e. your own Facebook Profile, Twitter or you own website etc)
The agreement will run for 3 years from the day that you make the initial payment date
After 36 months you have the right to renew and at 0 cost at 25%. This is conditional on the following
When asked to present screenshots for deals, you are able to do so and miss no more than 9x deals through the entirety of the agreement. This means that the work required to grow the network is being done consistently.
OVERVIEW
This website is operated by AnyExpat Ltd. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to AnyExpat Ltd. AnyExpat Ltd offers this website, including all information, tools and services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here.
By visiting our site and/ or purchasing something from us, you engage in our “Service” and agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions (“Terms of Service”, “Terms”), including those additional terms and conditions and policies referenced herein and/or available by hyperlink. These Terms of Service apply to all users of the site, including without limitation users who are browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/ or contributors of content.
Please read these Terms of Service carefully before accessing or using our website. By accessing or using any part of the site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the website or use any services. If these Terms of Service are considered an offer, acceptance is expressly limited to these Terms of Service.
Any new features or tools which are added to the current store shall also be subject to the Terms of Service. You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time on this page. We reserve the right to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and/or changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to the website following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.
Our store is hosted on Shopify Inc. They provide us with the online e-commerce platform that allows us to sell our products and services to you.
SECTION 1 – ONLINE STORE TERMS
By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence, or that you are the age of majority in your state or province of residence and you have given us your consent to allow any of your minor dependents to use this site.
You may not use our products for any illegal or unauthorized purpose nor may you, in the use of the Service, violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws).
You must not transmit any worms or viruses or any code of a destructive nature.
A breach or violation of any of the Terms will result in an immediate termination of your Services.
SECTION 2 – GENERAL CONDITIONS
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time.
You understand that your content (not including credit card information), may be transferred unencrypted and involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices. Credit card information is always encrypted during transfer over networks.
You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service or any contact on the website through which the service is provided, without express written permission by us.
The headings used in this agreement are included for convenience only and will not limit or otherwise affect these Terms.
SECTION 3 – ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS AND TIMELINESS OF INFORMATION
We are not responsible if information made available on this site is not accurate, complete or current. The material on this site is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting primary, more accurate, more complete or more timely sources of information. Any reliance on the material on this site is at your own risk.
This site may contain certain historical information. Historical information, necessarily, is not current and is provided for your reference only. We reserve the right to modify the contents of this site at any time, but we have no obligation to update any information on our site. You agree that it is your responsibility to monitor changes to our site.
SECTION 4 – MODIFICATIONS TO THE SERVICE AND PRICES
Prices for our products are subject to change without notice.
We reserve the right at any time to modify or discontinue the Service (or any part or content thereof) without notice at any time.
We shall not be liable to you or to any third-party for any modification, price change, suspension or discontinuance of the Service.
A flat rate of 20% is due on all sales is retained by AnyExpat Ltd, this includes postage costs so price your items to consider this.
SECTION 5 – PRODUCTS OR SERVICES (if applicable)
Certain products or services may be available exclusively online through the website. These products or services may have limited quantities and are subject to return or exchange only according to our Return Policy.
We have made every effort to display as accurately as possible the colors and images of our products that appear at the store. We cannot guarantee that your computer monitor’s display of any color will be accurate.
We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to limit the sales of our products or Services to any person, geographic region or jurisdiction. We may exercise this right on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to limit the quantities of any products or services that we offer. All descriptions of products or product pricing are subject to change at anytime without notice, at the sole discretion of us. We reserve the right to discontinue any product at any time. Any offer for any product or service made on this site is void where prohibited.
We do not warrant that the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you will meet your expectations, or that any errors in the Service will be corrected.
SECTION 6 – ACCURACY OF BILLING AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION
We reserve the right to refuse any order you place with us. We may, in our sole discretion, limit or cancel quantities purchased per person, per household or per order. These restrictions may include orders placed by or under the same customer account, the same credit card, and/or orders that use the same billing and/or shipping address. In the event that we make a change to or cancel an order, we may attempt to notify you by contacting the e-mail and/or billing address/phone number provided at the time the order was made. We reserve the right to limit or prohibit orders that, in our sole judgment, appear to be placed by dealers, resellers or distributors.
You agree to provide current, complete and accurate purchase and account information for all purchases made at our store. You agree to promptly update your account and other information, including your email address and credit card numbers and expiration dates, so that we can complete your transactions and contact you as needed.
For more detail, please review our Returns Policy.
SECTION 7 – OPTIONAL TOOLS
We may provide you with access to third-party tools over which we neither monitor nor have any control nor input.
You acknowledge and agree that we provide access to such tools ”as is” and “as available” without any warranties, representations or conditions of any kind and without any endorsement. We shall have no liability whatsoever arising from or relating to your use of optional third-party tools.
Any use by you of optional tools offered through the site is entirely at your own risk and discretion and you should ensure that you are familiar with and approve of the terms on which tools are provided by the relevant third-party provider(s).
We may also, in the future, offer new services and/or features through the website (including, the release of new tools and resources). Such new features and/or services shall also be subject to these Terms of Service.
SECTION 8 – THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Certain content, products and services available via our Service may include materials from third-parties.
Third-party links on this site may direct you to third-party websites that are not affiliated with us. We are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy and we do not warrant and will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party materials or websites, or for any other materials, products, or services of third-parties.
We are not liable for any harm or damages related to the purchase or use of goods, services, resources, content, or any other transactions made in connection with any third-party websites. Please review carefully the third-party’s policies and practices and make sure you understand them before you engage in any transaction. Complaints, claims, concerns, or questions regarding third-party products should be directed to the third-party.
SECTION 9 – USER COMMENTS, FEEDBACK AND OTHER SUBMISSIONS
If, at our request, you send certain specific submissions (for example contest entries) or without a request from us you send creative ideas, suggestions, proposals, plans, or other materials, whether online, by email, by postal mail, or otherwise (collectively, ‘comments’), you agree that we may, at any time, without restriction, edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium any comments that you forward to us. We are and shall be under no obligation (1) to maintain any comments in confidence; (2) to pay compensation for any comments; or (3) to respond to any comments.
We may, but have no obligation to, monitor, edit or remove content that we determine in our sole discretion are unlawful, offensive, threatening, libelous, defamatory, pornographic, obscene or otherwise objectionable or violates any party’s intellectual property or these Terms of Service.
You agree that your comments will not violate any right of any third-party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, personality or other personal or proprietary right. You further agree that your comments will not contain libelous or otherwise unlawful, abusive or obscene material, or contain any computer virus or other malware that could in any way affect the operation of the Service or any related website. You may not use a false e-mail address, pretend to be someone other than yourself, or otherwise mislead us or third-parties as to the origin of any comments. You are solely responsible for any comments you make and their accuracy. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any comments posted by you or any third-party.
SECTION 10 – PERSONAL INFORMATION
Your submission of personal information through the store is governed by our Privacy Policy. To view our Privacy Policy.
SECTION 11 – ERRORS, INACCURACIES AND OMISSIONS
Occasionally there may be information on our site or in the Service that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to product descriptions, pricing, promotions, offers, product shipping charges, transit times and availability. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and to change or update information or cancel orders if any information in the Service or on any related website is inaccurate at any time without prior notice (including after you have submitted your order).
We undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify information in the Service or on any related website, including without limitation, pricing information, except as required by law. No specified update or refresh date applied in the Service or on any related website, should be taken to indicate that all information in the Service or on any related website has been modified or updated.
SECTION 12 – PROHIBITED USES
In addition to other prohibitions as set forth in the Terms of Service, you are prohibited from using the site or its content:
(a) for any unlawful purpose; (b) to solicit others to perform or participate in any unlawful acts; (c) to violate any international, federal, provincial or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances; (d) to infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others; (e) to harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, age, national origin, or disability; (f) to submit false or misleading information;
(g) to upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code that will or may be used in any way that will affect the functionality or operation of the Service or of any related website, other websites, or the Internet; (h) to collect or track the personal information of others; (i) to spam, phish, pharm, pretext, spider, crawl, or scrape; (j) for any obscene or immoral purpose; or (k) to interfere with or circumvent the security features of the Service or any related website, other websites, or the Internet. We reserve the right to terminate your use of the Service or any related website for violating any of the prohibited uses.
SECTION 13 – DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free.
We do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable.
You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time, without notice to you.
You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. The service and all products and services delivered to you through the service are (except as expressly stated by us) provided ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ for your use, without any representation, warranties or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, merchantable quality, fitness for a particular purpose, durability, title, and non-infringement.
In no case shall AnyExpat Ltd, our directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, interns, suppliers, service providers or licensors be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility.
Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
SECTION 14 – INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless AnyExpat Ltd and our parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, officers, directors, agents, contractors, licensors, service providers, subcontractors, suppliers, interns and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, made by any third-party due to or arising out of your breach of these Terms of Service or the documents they incorporate by reference, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third-party.
SECTION 15 – SEVERABILITY
In the event that any provision of these Terms of Service is determined to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, such provision shall nonetheless be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the unenforceable portion shall be deemed to be severed from these Terms of Service, such determination shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other remaining provisions.
SECTION 16 – TERMINATION
The obligations and liabilities of the parties incurred prior to the termination date shall survive the termination of this agreement for all purposes.
These Terms of Service are effective unless and until terminated by either you or us. You may terminate these Terms of Service at any time by notifying us that you no longer wish to use our Services, or when you cease using our site.
If in our sole judgment you fail, or we suspect that you have failed, to comply with any term or provision of these Terms of Service, we also may terminate this agreement at any time without notice and you will remain liable for all amounts due up to and including the date of termination; and/or accordingly may deny you access to our Services (or any part thereof).
SECTION 17 – ENTIRE AGREEMENT
The failure of us to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
These Terms of Service and any policies or operating rules posted by us on this site or in respect to The Service constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between you and us and govern your use of the Service, superseding any prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications and proposals, whether oral or written, between you and us (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the Terms of Service).
Any ambiguities in the interpretation of these Terms of Service shall not be construed against the drafting party.
SECTION 18 – GOVERNING LAW
These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Clyde Offices, 2nd Floor, 48 West George Street, Glasgow, BFP, G21BP, United Kingdom.
SECTION 19 – CHANGES TO TERMS OF SERVICE
You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time at this page.
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check our website periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to our website or the Service following the posting of any changes to these Terms of Service constitutes acceptance of those changes.
SECTION 20 – CONTACT INFORMATION
Questions about the Terms of Service should be sent to us at [email protected].
