“Mi è piaciuto” or “Mi ha piaciuto”? How to Use Piacere in the Passato Prossimo
The Italian Verb Piacere and the Passato Prossimo If you’ve ever hesitated between mi è piaciuto, mi ha piaciuto, or mi sono piaciuti? Piacere is one of the trickiest verbs for Italian learners, especially English speakers, because its structure is reversed compared...
How to Improve Your Italian Listening Skills (Beginner & Intermediate Guide)
How to Improve Your Italian Listening the Smart Way by Serena Capilli, Italian Teacher & Author If Italian conversations feel like they “blend together,” or you catch individual words but miss the meaning… you are not alone.Listening is one of the most challenging...
Why Most Italian Conversation Practice Doesn’t Work — And Why Learning Through Stories Does
Why Most Italian Conversation Practice Doesn’t Work When learners tell me they want to improve their Italian conversation skills, they usually mean: studying more grammar memorising vocabulary practising predictable “question–answer” sessions with a tutor But when...
“Mi dispiace” or “Scusa”? The Difference Explained
Mi dispiace vs Scusa (or Scusi) Mi dispiace and scusa are two Italian expressions that often confuse native English speakers.They can both translate as “I’m sorry” in some contexts, but they are not the same and not interchangeable.They express very different meanings...About
Ciao! I'm Serena, and I'm the creator of Smart Italian Learning. I am the head teacher of a small language school. We offer online, in-person and video courses for Italian learners, with a focus on adult English native speakers. Our courses are based on our passion for teaching and our experience as long-term adult language learners. You can meet us online, or in person in Rome.