Sottofondo: Learn Italian in the Background
Sottofondo is a language-learning podcast designed to teach Italian passively. Each episode presents a short topic with English introduction, a pause, and Italian spoken by a native voice. The format is meant to be played in the background during daily activities like commuting, working out, or doing dishes. Listeners can repeat the Italian aloud during pauses if they want more active practice. The show focuses on effortless exposure rather than grammar study.
Episodes
A1 Where Things Are: 78 Sentences | Learn Italian
Learn to say where things are in Italian with 78 simple listen-and-repeat sentences, from "La banca è qui" to "C'è una farmacia qui vicino?" Perfect for A1 beginners, this episode helps you ask for and understand locations with clear English prompts and natural Italian.Level A1 · Sentences · Where Things AreHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian,
A1 Asking For Directions: 96 Phrases | Learn Italian
Lost in Italy and can't find the station? Repeat after us as you practice 96 essential Italian phrases like "Dov'è la fermata?", "sempre dritto", and "a destra" until asking for directions feels natural.Level A1 · Phrases · Asking For DirectionsHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Places in Town: 107 Words | Learn Italian
Ready to find your way around an Italian town? Listen, repeat, and learn 107 beginner-friendly words for places like la scuola, il parco, la piazza, and il museo in this A1 English-to-Italian episode.Level A1 · Words · Places in TownHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Talking About Family: 78 Sentences | Learn Italian
Ready to talk about your mother, father, brothers, and sisters in Italian? Practice 78 A1 sentences about family, from "Questa è mia madre" to "La mia famiglia è grande", with English prompts and listen-and-repeat pauses.Level A1 · Sentences · Talking About FamilyHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Food and Drink: 109 Words | Learn Italian
Ready to order your first coffee in Italy? In this A1 English-to-Italian listen-and-repeat episode, you'll practice 109 words about food and drink, from l'acqua and il caffè to la pizza and il formaggio.Level A1 · Words · Food and DrinkHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Review: 104 Words | Learn Italian
Review 104 essential Italian words in one easy listen-and-repeat session, from il paesaggio and la chiesa to chiamare and l'appuntamento. Perfect for A1 learners, this episode helps you hear, say, and remember each word with confidence.Level A1 · Words · ReviewHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Family and People: 99 Words | Learn Italian
Meet your Italian family in 99 simple words as you listen, repeat, and learn how to say mamma, papà, io, tu, and more. Perfect for A1 beginners, this episode helps you speak about the people in your life with confidence.Level A1 · Words · Family and PeopleHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Introducing Yourself: 97 Phrases | Learn Italian
Learn to say who you are in Italian with 97 simple phrases, from "mi chiamo" and "piacere mio" to "sono studente" and "ho una sorella." Listen, repeat after each English prompt, and build the confidence to introduce yourself at your first real conversation.Level A1 · Phrases · Introducing YourselfHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Ita
A1 Simple Present Actions: 83 Sentences | Learn Italian
Practice 83 essential Italian sentences about everyday routines, from "Io lavoro ogni giorno" to "Dove abiti adesso?" Listen to the English, repeat the Italian, and build confident A1 speaking skills with simple present actions.Level A1 · Sentences · Simple Present ActionsHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out
A1 Ordering at a Café: 98 Phrases | Learn Italian
Step up to the counter and order in Italian with confidence, from un caffè and un cornetto to una cioccolata calda, senza zucchero. Listen and repeat 98 beginner-friendly phrases (English to Italian) until ordering at a café feels natural.Level A1 · Phrases · Ordering at a CaféHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Greetings and Politeness: 104 Phrases | Learn Italian
Practice 104 essential Italian phrases for greetings and politeness, from buongiorno and piacere to scusi and arrivederci. Listen, repeat after each English prompt, and build the confidence to say hello, ask "come stai?" and say goodbye like a beginner who sounds natural.Level A1 · Phrases · Greetings and PolitenessHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then
A1 Numbers and Time: 108 Words | Learn Italian
Learn to say numbers and time in Italian with simple listen-and-repeat practice, from oggi and domani to l'ora and l'orologio. Hear each English word, then repeat the Italian aloud until it feels natural.Level A1 · Words · Numbers and TimeHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
A1 Essential Everyday Verbs: 113 Words | Learn Italian
Learn the twelve Italian verbs you'll use every single day, from essere and avere to mangiare, bere, and parlare. Listen, repeat after the speaker, and build your first confident Italian sentences in just a few minutes.Level A1 · Words · Essential Everyday VerbsHow it works: hear the English, use the pause to say it in Italian, then hear the Italian and repeat it out loud.
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