Tutti Matti per l'Italiano!

Get ready! Hold on to your horses (or should I say your lance?) because I'm going to tell you about the Giostra del Saracino. This most thrilling and exciting event occurs in Arezzo every June and September! What is the Giostra del Saracino? It's a medieval jousting tournament that dates back to the 13th century, and it's held in the beautiful Piazza Grande, the heart of Arezzo's historic center. You can experience the Giostra del Saracino with me this year. Listen on! Ascolta bene!

In a new podcast, I take to Ascoli Piceno, where I'm planning a new Italian Language Program this September. Here is a chance to meet some of the teachers and the school director with whom I am partnering this September to organize a small group Italian language program in le March in the town of Ascoli Piceno from September 11 - 23, 2022. We also go on a short walking tour with Antonella the director of the school. There are still openings available for the 2022 Ascoli Piceno Italian Language Program! Join us this September 2022!

The Studentessa Matta discusses 5 learning difficulties that many language students encounter and the things they can do to keep their "language learning" boats from faltering and sinking but instead keep their boats afloat, getting them back on track so they can continue full steam ahead!! Follow along with the Youtube Video with transcripts in both Italian and English on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website

This was an incredibly delightful day! The Studentessa Matta Bookclub met Silvia Zucca the author of “Guida Astrologica per cuori infranti” to discuss her book that inspired the hit Netflix series of the same name! In the beginning, when I had this idea to start an Italian book club and I chose Silvia's book, to begin with, I joked “who knew… at the end perhaps we could even meet the author!” Magical things happen when you speak Italian! Big thanks to the women who participated in the Matta Italian Book club and to Silvia Zucca for a wonderful chat and the opportunity to get to know you and talk with you about your work.

Learn more about Ascoli Piceno, the town in le Marche, where I plan the next "Matta" Italian Language Immersion Program with the Accademia Linguistica Scuola directed by Antonella Valentini and her staff of dedicated teachers. Join me in this charming town, immerse in language and culture, and take your Italian skills further.

In this podcast, la studentessa matta recounts for you the legend of "la donna Bianca" the beautiful fantasma that is trapped inside a castle in Italy. Learn also what the expression "sognare ad occhi aperti" means. Read more Italian legends and learn about Italian culture in Melissa Muldoon's novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola—all novels available on Amazon in print, epub, & audio. Transcripts in Italian and English on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website. https://www.studentessamatta.com/leggenda-donna-bianca-italian-youtube-video-legends-ghost-story-novels-set-in-italy-sognare-occhi-aperti  

During the month of November 2021, every week I posted a word or an expression combined with an image on the Studentessa Matta Facebook page. In this video, with my special guest Hazel the Bull Dog I present the words of November. These are random words that I came across while reading or that I heard in movies that I found useful and worth highlighting. Improve your Italian Vocabulary with these interesting words and phrases. Visit www.StudentessaMatta.com for transcripts in Italian and English.

Ciao a tutti! Benvenuti al mio canale. Sono la studentessa matta. Welcome to the Youtube channel. I'm the crazy student of Italian. I'm home again after spending seven weeks in Italy. I got my Italy fix and loved spending time in my happy place! To hear about some of my adventures and learn recent updates on the blog and the new Matta "Let's go to Italy!" Small group language programs that I'm organizing for next year—and all the learning opportunities available through the www.StudentessaMatta.com website, Italian Homestays, Conversation Practice, and the schools and individuals with whom I partner so that I can bring you discounts and small gifts…. listen to this podcast. All transcripts in Italian and English available on the Studentessa Matta Website https://www.studentessamatta.com/learn-italian-studentessa-matta-immersion-trips-homestay-language-vacation-affiliates-discounts-conversation-practice-improve-listening-youtube-video-chat/

During the month of October 2021, every week I posted a word or an expression combined with an image on the Studentessa Matta Facebook page. At the end of the month, I compile these word memes on the Studentessa Matta Website. Here is a short video to help you with the pronunciation of these fun words and expressions. You can find the post related to this video following this link: https://www.studentessamatta.com/parole-parole-parole-vocabolario-studentessa-matta-ottobre/

Tongue twisters are phrases that intentionally challenge our ability to pronounce them. Tongue twisters also exist in English. They are like word games and the fun part of a tongue twister is that they challenge us to pronounce them as quickly as possible without making mistakes. But the real fun is when you stumble and get tangled in the words that sound so much the same. Find the companion page to this video on the Studentessa Matta Website: https://www.studentessamatta.com/scioglilingua-italialn-tongue-twisters-forvo-pronunciation-learn-make-mistakes/     SHOW LESS    

Caravaggio in his day was a controversial figure - both for his style but also for his personal life. Today, however, he is considered an artist who elevated the art of painting and who influenced a generation of painters. I would like to tell you about one of these painters, who is not a man, but a woman. They say that there were many "Caravaggisti" but only one "Caravaggista." Her name is - Artemisia Gentileschi. I have always been struck by the story of Artemisia and her work. Truly she is a fascinating artist and her story is intriguing about her. Because of my interest in Artemisia I've written a historical novel of her life called "Eternally Artemisia." If you would like to know more about Artemisia I invite you to read the novel. It is available on Amazon in Print, Ebook and Audiobook. https://www.amazon.com/Eternally-Artemisia-loves-women-timeless/dp/0997634871

I'm Melissa the crazy student. Welcome! I am glad you are here with me. Through the Studentessa Matta Podcast channel, we practice Italian together. You can follow the dialogue both in Italian and English on the StudentessaMatta.com website. https://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-women-rights-diritti-donne-italiane-famiglia-tradizionale-moderna-right-vote-change-social-roles/ Discussing the changing role of women after receiving the right to vote in 1945 and how this emancipation changed the lives of Italian women and their families.  

Italian cities throughout Italy celebrate civil and religious festivals, historical re-enactments, local festivals, and events particularly linked to a city or country. But the one event that stands out above them all, at least for me, is the Giostra del Saracino that occurs in Arezzo twice a year in June and September. Living in Arezzo during the joust is the most immersive experience I have ever encountered in Italy! Follow along and learn more about la Giostra del Saraceno. Transcripts for this Podcast, both in Italian and English, can be found at: https://www.studentessamatta.com Join the Sept 2021 Italian Language Program in Arezzo. Details about the program are on the www.StudentessaMatta.com Learn more at: https://www.studentessamatta.com/2021-matta-cultura-italiana-arezzo-language-program  

The Macchiaioli who closely resembled the French Impressionists never received the same international acclaim. Let's take a look at the painters Giovanni Fattori and Claude Monet and compare the two 19th century artistic movements and discover how the invention of paint in tubes change the course of art history. Follow along with transcripts in English & Italian on the www.StudentessaMatta website 

Ox-heads and betrayed husbands… what have they got to do with Florence's Duomo?? Did you know that on the Santa Maria dei Fiori Cathedral in Florence there is the head of an ox that looks down on from on high? What is the meaning of this? In a new post and Youtube Video, Melissa—the Studentessa Matta explores two intriguing explanations—one that has to do with paying tribute and the other with adultery! To read a transcript of the text in Italian and English visit www.StudentessaMatta.com

In a new Studentessa Matta Video, in Italian, I talk about my hometown of Austin, Texas. This is where you can find me when I'm not in Italy! Learn about this funky Texas city, which is also the state capital. Visit the Studentessa Matta website to view transcripts of this video in English and Italian. For more information and to enroll in the Italian Language Immersion programs visit the StudentessaMatta.com website  

It's been a while—13 months in fact—since I last made a video in Italian! Time flies when you are busy publishing a novel, producing Audiobooks, and waiting out the pandemic. But, now after a year, as things begin to sort themselves out and travel seems possible again I thought I'd brush off my video camera and share with you some highlights of this year's upcoming Italian language immersion program in Arezzo scheduled for September 2021. I plan to move forward, and as long as we all are healthy and we have the green light for travel I will meet you in the piazzas of Lucca and Arezzo this coming September!

Sofonisba’s life is as fascinating as her character and clearly Muldoon has done her homework in terms of research. A genuine 16th century ambiance permeates the pages as Muldoon takes us on a virtual tour through the settings of King Phillip’s court in Spain, Sofonisba’s hometown of Cremona, Italy, and the island of Sicily. Also, as is representative of Muldoon’s pervious works, she infuses her own passion for art, history and Italy into this story and it’s evident though the outstanding delivery of such an intricate and engrossing tale.

I have always loved a good legend, filled with mystery and intrigue, and last year when I visited Chiusi, my friends were happy to tell me the story of Porsena the Etruscan King, who was as rich as he was benevolent. But whatever happened to his tomb?

Thanks to everyone who reads the Matta Blog and who follow the Youtube Channel. I am eternally grateful that through the internet I have the chance to meet so many people who continue to enrich my life. All of you… and the love I feel for Italy — for her art, language and her people — are the reasons I do what I do!

Discussing the legend of Apollo and Ciparisso, a wise saying about trees and a little Italian grammar lesson. After a long break during which I published my third novel set in Italy and translating my second into Italian, I'm back to say ciao! and thank everyone for following the Studentessa Matta Podcast! For more information and transcripts in Italian and English Visithttps://www.studentessamatta.com/alberi-saggezza-leggenda-apollo-ciparisso-cypress/

What exactly is merletto al tombolo? Well, it is a very old art form that harks back to the age of Caterina de' Medici. It is an antique way of making lace by hand. Anna Maria Gherardi, who lives in Arezzo, has done this type of work since she was a girl and during her childhood, Debora remembers hearing the noise the spools of the threads made always in the background as her mom worked on her roundtable creating pieces of lace that she put together later to make things like napkins and tablecloths.

The hottest days of summer are called the dog days of summer. In Italian, the expression is La canicola estiva. In this Youtube video find out reason why! Hint: it has something to do with the brightest star in the summer sky - Sirius AND the ancient Romans! For text and translation visit: www.studentessamatta.com To find out more about my Italian language Immersion programs in Italy for 2019 visit: https://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-immersion-programs-italy/

Last week my friend Danielle Palermo from Sicilia came to visit me. Our last day together, we decided to roll up our sleeves and cook an Italian meal together. Not just an Italian dinner, however, as Daniele corrected me — a Sicilian meal! He decided to prepare for me Arancine and Sfingi for dessert. Visit: www.StudentessaMatta.com for more details

Italian expressions that have to do with food and wine! Visit the StudentessaMatta.com website for more information, transcriptions and text in Italiano and English. http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-food-idioms-detti-cibo-italiano/ For information about Melissa's programs to learn Italian in Italy visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-immersion-programs-italy/

Interview with Melissa Muldoon - Author of Waking Isabella with Inside Scoop  Topics of conversation: Isabella de Medici Research for the book in Arezzo, Italy  Giostra del Saracino - Annual Jousting Festival held in Arezzo Suppression of Artists and Hitler's Obsession during WWII Melissa's Writing Process Her Award Winning Italian Language Blog and Immersion Trips to Italy Most Rewarding Experience as an Author

Mattiniero vs Nottambulo: What kind of person are you? Are you a morning person or an evening person? I just created subtitles in Italian! Yay! turn on the captioning button to see the Italian words! For more information, language learning tips and translations check out the Studentessa Matta Blog: www.studentessamatta.com

Chatting in Italian about Carnival, masks and costumes. You can find the post on the StudentessaMatta.com website with English translations. Studentessa Matta Facebook page to join the conversation group: https://www.facebook.com/studentessamatta Visit the Matta Blog to learn more about Italian Homestay Language Vacations: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-homestay-vacations/ To Purchase Melissa's novels about Italy: visit Amazon Dreaming Sophia: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634804?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20 Waking Isabella: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634820?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20

Andare a Cavallo - taking a ride on the beach on a horse in Half Moon Bay in California. Learn new Italian vocabulary for things that have to do with horses and their gear. Follow along as I talk about my weekend adventure on horseback. Visit the Matta Blog to read the transcript in Italian and English. http://www.studentessamatta.com/andare-cavallo-riding-horse-beach-useful-horse-lingo/ Join me in Arezzo in September 2018 for Italian Language Immersion and participate in the Medieval Jousting Festival! To sign up and reserve a spot visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo/

Colorful Italian idioms that have to do with animals. Italian expressions to help make your conversation more lively and make you sound more like an Italian native. For the written transcript visit the StudentessaMatta.com blog. http://www.studentessamatta.com/moglie-buoi-dei-paesi-tuoi-italian-idioms-modi-di-dire/ Want to immerse in Italian language and culture, join me in September in Arezzo for a small group language program. Details on the Studentessa Matta blog: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo/

Come along with me as I recap my recent stay in Arezzo. Here are the highlights from the language program which I co-lead with Paola Testi of Cultura Italiana language school for foreigners. Highlights include: the Giostra that occurs the first weekend in September, a trip to Cortona and Anghiari and the Porchetta Sagra in San Savino. To sign up for the next 2018 Arezzo Language Program visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-immersion-tuscany-italy-arezzo For transcript & translation of this video visit the Matta Blog: http://www.studentessamatta.com/arezzo-italian-language-program-learn-italian-cultura-italiana-melissa-muldoon/

Buon Anno 2018! Ways to say Happy New Year in Italian and chatting about the past year and what is happening my Matta world coming in 2018. Trips, travels, Italians studies, Novels about Italy, and an Italian New Year poem by Gianni Rodari. Translations on the Matta blog at http://www.studentessamatta.com/benvenuto-2018-italian-new-year-greetings/

Piacere means is used to express that something is in Italian in the Italian language or rather something is pleasing to someone. In this podcast you will learn how to conjugate in present and past tense and use the word properly in sentence. Text, Examples and Exercises are on www.StudentessaMatta.com Blog site (http://www.studentessamatta.com/piace...) If you have questions about the verb piacere leave your comments on the Studentessa Matta site

Recently I published a novel about Italy called “Dreaming Sophia.” In this podcast I share with the Tutti Matti Italian listeners an interview I conducted with Sheri Hoyt for “Inside Book Scoop Live”. In this book chat you will find out more about the book, my background, and the reasons for writing the novel. Buon ascolto! For more information about the book visit: www.DreamingSophiaBook.com Available for iBook  Available on Amazon: Print & Kindle

Both the Italian words "Sentire" and "Ascoltare" mean to perceive something. But they vary in several ways. For transcript & translations see http://www.studentessamatta.com/sentire-ascoltare-learning-meanings-differences : Subscribe to the Studentessa Matta Blog to receive posts, Newsletters & EXCLUSIVE language tips via email. To see the Youtube Video of this podcast click here: https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=Rj3I0Iw_feE

Discussion about two Italian synonyms Lasciare and Mollare. Both mean to let go. Idiomatic expressions and meanings when combined with other words. Short story about two frogs to help remember these two words. To read transcript visit: http://www.studentessamatta.com/lasciare-mollare-significati-storia-rane-non-mollare-mai/ For more tips, tricks and helpful advice for learning Italian visit the Studentessa Matta blog. www.studentessamatta.com To view the Youtube video of this podcast visit the Studentessa Matta Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/c/StudentessaMatta_MelissaMuldoo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8NvZD4AE-E Send comments to Melissa@StudentessaMatta.com Ci sentiamo! Buoni studi!

Arezzo Antique Fair Fiera Antiquaria takes place Piazza Grande every first weekend of month. It is one of the oldest largest fairs in Italy over 400 vendors. To view transcripts of podcast in Italian and English go to http://www.studentessamatta.com/arezzo-antique-fair-fiera-antiquaria-arezzo

Buon Natale e Benvenuti all'antico dibattito che spesso divide le famiglie italiane. Di che cosa sto parlando? Il dibattito tra servire Panettone o Pandoro a Natale. Happy Holidays! Welcome to the age-old debate that often splits Italian families. What am I talking about? The debate between serving Panettone or Pandoro during the holidays of course! For a transcription of this podcast visit http://www.studentessamatta.com/christmas-cake-battles-panettone-versus-pandoro/ Buone feste!

Sometimes a trip to Italy is like stepping into the past. For me, that is part of the charm of Italy. Recently I had the impression of passing through a portal back to medieval times. It happened during my stay in Arezzo last September when I witnessed the Giostra del Saracino - The Joust of the of the Saracens. Practice your Italian language skills by listening to this podcast! You can find a transcript and translations on www.studentessamatta.com 

Today we are going to the Arezzo’s Saturday market. There you can buy lots of things. The best would be the fresh food that you can buy there. There are so many things…peppers, squash blossoms, mushrooms, fruit and various kinds of meat and cheeses…but especially the porchetta. Come with us!

Today I am here to tell you about a fantastic new mobile app called “FlashAcademy”. It is the idea of the company behind FlashSticks – the company that created the app to learn a foreign language using the Post-it Notes. Now the app has a new interface and new images. Now it focuses on the progress of the student towards graduation from Flash Academy. Each lesson moves the student forward! The learning curve is fast paced with new interactive lessons.

My first novel “Dreaming Sophia” is here! I am thrilled and happy to share Sophia’s journey with my readers. The book is now available in print and e-pub versions for Kindle and iBook. You can find the book on Amazon and through many other distributors as well. The e-pub version of the book has links to the “Dreaming Sophia” website and Pinterest site, so that you can experience the book visually – see the art and images and videos – referred to in the book, as well as listen to the music. To win a copy of the book visit the Studentessa Matta website: http://www.studentessamatta.com/dreaming-sophia-book-give-away The book is available on Amazon and on itunes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997634804?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=0997634804&linkCode=xm2&tag=diariodiunstu-20 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1151283653 visit the Dreaming Sophia website: www.DreamingSophiaBook.com

In this Podcast I am talking about Italian words for joking and playing around...Scioglilingua, Giochi di Parole, Barzellette, Scherzi, Idiomi...Podcast can also be viewed on YouTube to see the visuals that accompany the text.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrRccsRyt2g Visit the Matta Blog for text in English and Italian For transcripts for this Video follow this link: http://wp.me/p22bKE-3vi  

Happy Easter! They say in Italian…Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want! Today I am going to talk a little about Easter and some of the sweets that Italians eat at this time of year. I’m going to especially talk about Baci chocolates

Questo mese festeggiamo la giornata internazionale della donna…anche semplicemente detta "festa della donna". Ricorre l’otto marzo di ogni anno per ricordare sia le conquiste sociali, politiche ed economiche delle donne, sia le discriminazioni e la violenza che le donne ancora oggi subiscono in tutto il mondo. This month we celebrate International Women’s Day - or simply the la festa della donna. It falls on the 8th of March each year and commemorates both the social achievements, political and economic conditions of women, as well as the brings in evidence the discrimination and violence which women are subjected to still in all parts of the world.

Hi guys! I’m Melissa la studentessa Matta! Welcome back to my channel! Are you ready to take a little stroll into history with me…and Dante and Beatrice? Visit Matta Website for Translations: English & Italian http://www.studentessamatta.com  For translations for this Video click this link: http://wp.me/p22bKE-3t0 To learn more about Matta Italian Language Workshops in Italy http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-trips/ Visit the Matta Facebook page for learning tips and language fun: http://www.studentessamatta.com/learning-tips/ Find me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentessamatta

Today I want to tell you about a painting…Botticelli's Birth of Venus - La nascita di Venere. Visit Matta Website for Translations: English & Italian https://www.youtube.com/c/StudentessaMatta_MelissaMuldoon To learn more about Matta Italian Language Workshops http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-trips/ Visit the Matta Facebook page for learning tips and language fun: http://www.studentessamatta.com/about/

In this podcast I will be speaking with my friend Daniela Mancini!  Daniela is an Italian teacher at Scud’It in Rome. I had the immense pleasure of studying with Daniela last July during my language and painting program. Daniela is a lively and entertaining teacher. She has also written a book about the Subjunctive tense: Congiuntivo. Here she is to talk more about herself, her home town of Frascati, her hopes and dreams and what it is like to teach at Scud’It in Rome. See program notes in Italian and English on the Studentessa Matta Blog. www.studentessamatta.com

    Today I’m back with a new podcast in which I will be talking about a wonderful Italian city - Siena! Today my guest will be Sarah Mastroianni, a young woman who was raised in Toronto in Canada - the daughter of an Italian father and a Canadian mother. Several years ago, after traveling in Italy, she fell in love with Italy and in particular, the city of Siena. Now she considers Siena her adopted town. In this podcast you will learn more about Siena and Sarah will also talk about her work, about her experiences with the language, her love for Italy and especially her passion for Siena and her reasons for moving there!

  In today’s “Tutti per l’italiano” podcast we will be talking about Homestay Italian Language Vacations that are offered through the Matta Blog. Homestay Language vacations are a wonderful opportunity for you to travel in Italy and stay with an Italian teacher and their family. Nothing is more effective for learning a foreign language than to live in close contact with a tutor who is specialized in teaching their native language in the country where this language is spoken! You will become an integral part of the family, enjoying meals and domestic life, living like a true Italian. Spending an entire day in a family context, combining a few hours of “traditional” teaching to the many stimuli that daily life offers, is the most natural and less stressful way to make progress in learning a language.

  In this episode we are going to be talking about an on-line learning site called italki. It is an educational site that helps foreign language learners connect with on-line teachers and chat buddies. In today’s podcast I will talk a little about my personal experiences with the italki site and you will also hear from three Italian teachers all of whom I have met through the site. They are Francesca Mazza from Lucca, Maria Fusco from Napoli and Olivia Cini originally from Tuscany, but who is currently living in Malta.