We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
Impariamo l’italiano piano piano is a story-based podcast for B1–B2 Italian learners who want to improve their grammar and vocabulary by following an ongoing mystery, rather than studying isolated lessons. Beginners are welcome too - everything unfolds piano piano, one step at a time.
Each episode advances a serialized story, Le Pagine del Passato, allowing you to experience Italian in context as meaning builds gradually through memory, dialogue, and investigation. Grammar structures such as the imperfetto, passato prossimo, congiuntivo, and object pronouns emerge naturally through the narrative, helping you recognize how Italian works in real situations.
Hosted by Myra, an instructional designer and adult language learner, the show is joined by Antonio - a dramatic, opinionated presence who interrupts, comments, and occasionally derails things, making the learning process both human and entertaining. Together, they guide listeners toward greater confidence in Italian, step by step.
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Full transcripts are shared through the Companion Series on Substack, where supporters can access episode texts and study materials:
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We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
Episode 29 - Vivendo e imparando – Everyday Expressions with the Gerundio
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Episode 29 closes out the gerundio topic with one more journey through Chapter 3, Part 4 of Le Pagine del Passato; first in Italian only, then together in English and Italian.
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After the story, we look at a lighter side of the gerundio: the everyday expressions that show up in natural speech long before most learners realize what they are. Vivendo e imparando. Sto solo scherzando. Prendendola a ridere.
We also look at when Italian doesn't reach for the gerundio at all,and why learners who translate too directly from English can end up sounding slightly off.
This is the final episode of the gerundio arc. The transcript, Study Guide, and Answer Key for Episodes 24 to 29 are available in the Substack post for this episode. By clicking Support the Show in your podcast app, you get access to all companion materials across the series; transcripts, study guides, answer keys, and interactive flashcards.
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📄 Episode Transcript & Study Materials
For this episode, the full transcript is available on Substack, where it’s easier to read, search, and follow along with the explanations.
👉 Here is a link to all of my posts on Substack.
I’ve moved transcripts there so everything can live in one place: the episode text, examples, and Companion Series materials all together.
📘 Want the Study Guide and Practice Exercises?
The comprehensive study guide covering this topic
(simple gerundio, combined pronouns, reflexive and reciprocal verbs, the compound gerundio, and everyday uses of the gerundio)
is available here on the Substack post for this episode:
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(Available to show supporters NOW!)
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- Click “Support the Show” in any episode description to become a supporter.
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