Curiosities

Your Essential Language Learning Toolkit: What You Really Need

**Excerpt:** Learning a language is exciting but can feel overwhelming with so many tools out there. What do you really need to succeed? In this post, I’ll share the essentials for your language-learning toolkit—speaking, writing, listening, reading—and why cultural awareness and motivation are just as important. Plus, a peek at my desk setup as I tackle French (spoiler: Google Translate is involved!). Let’s explore what works and what’s worth your time.

The Italian Blue Dilemma: blu or azzurro?

In Italian, not all blues are created equal! Discover the subtle yet significant difference between 'blu' and 'azzurro,' two words that capture the rich shades of Italy's cultural and natural landscapes. Whether it's the deep 'blu' of the darkest part of the Mediterranean sea or the bright 'azzurro' of a clear sky, understanding these nuances will deepen your appreciation for the Italian language—and help you see the world a little more like an Italian.

CIAO, a little word travelling the world

The story and adventure of one of the most commonly used Italian words outside Italy. "Ciao" is surprisingly popular in many non-Italian-speaking countries, often used at the end of conversations. This word, originating from the Venetian "s-cia(v)o," meaning "slave," has evolved and spread worldwide, influenced by Italian migrants, cinema, songs and literature. From Europe to South America, "Ciao" and its variations are used in different languages, reflecting Italy's cultural impact. And finally, did you know? "Ciao" has been one of the best-selling Piaggio mopeds in Italy: from 1967 to 2006.