Buongiorno! Who doesn’t dream of beautiful Italy: world-class landscapes, breath-taking history, outstanding food, and the culture of dolce fare niente! Well, not quite niente - which means “nothing”. There’s probably one little thing you want to try: learning Italiano!
Feel too busy to learn Italian? Want to speak like a native? Podcasts for learning Italian are a perfect solution. They're free and can fit into your daily routine—whether you're driving, doing chores, working out, or relaxing.
Discover 9 of the best resources for other languages.
All Your Italian Resources in One Place!
The Fluent Show
In addition to the Italian podcasts you’ll find in this article, check out the Fluent Show. That’s my own show, co-hosted by Lindsay Williams, where we discuss languages, learning methods, and how to live a multilingual life. Click here to listen and subscribe.
Quick Primer: How Do Podcasts Work?
If you’re curious about podcasts, but not quite sure how they work, here’s what you need to know:
You can subscribe for free to podcasts on your phone, tablet, or computer
If you use an Apple computer or mobile device, you can use the Podcasts app
On a PC or Android device, try the Spotify for a quick and easy start
Subscribing means you’ll always have the latest episode ready and waiting for you as soon as it’s published
Italian is a great language for learning by podcast, so let's dive into that top 9 list. This list has been updated in March 2020, and includes podcasts that have published within the last year. There are a few affiliate links in this post, which mean you support Fluent Language by clicking them at no extra cost to you.
Italian Podcasts For Beginners
ItalianPod101.com (InnovativeLanguage)
ItalianPod101 from InnovativeLanguage covers the basic through advanced levels of Italian. The episodes are exciting and immersive. One episode I particularly enjoyed is Must-Know Italian Slang Words and Phrases - Expressions to Describe Someone You Dislike. It was one of the most humorous episodes and I learned about how colourful Italian insults can be!
The dialogues are presented by engaging hosts in a clear, concise way covering many grammatical features and cultural topics. On the website you can sign up for premium content to access spaced repetition flashcards, PDF lesson notes, and a community forum.
British-born Katie and Italian-born Matteo and podcast simple language learning tips from Milan. Their fun podcast picks up on the common mistakes language learners make. This one is perfect if you want to learn Italian with a friendly English-speaking guide and come out sounding like a natural.
By the way: Katie and Matteo are also the faces of Easy Italian on YouTube.
Italian Podcasts For Intermediate and Advanced Learners
Vaporetto Italiano Podcast is an engaging language learning podcast hosted by Francesco. It's suitable for all levels, and consider this podcast to be your free ticket to immerse yourself in the “Bel Paese” culture while mastering the Italian language. With authentic content delivered entirely in Italian, you’ll elevate your Italian skills and explore Italy’s rich heritage without even trying!
News in Slow Italian, an intermediate level podcast, discusses world news, grammar, and expressions in the form of slowed down audio. Every episode is a virtual immersion into the Italian-speaking world showing grammar and vocabulary in context. The hosts are engaging and they show you that the language is alive and vibrant and waiting for you to dive into it.
The audio is very clear and easy to follow. On the website there are transcripts for each episode available with grammar, expressions, pronunciation, and quizzes.
Arkos Academy is mainly for the intermediate and advanced levels of learning Italian. The audio is mostly in Italian and the recordings are at a slower than normal pace, which allows you to really focus on strengthening your listening skills. There is also a lot of information on Italian culture and society, along with transcripts from each lesson on the website so that you can follow along and actively practice both your listening and reading at the same time.
As an added bonus, the Arkos Academy website offers a directory of private native teachers and excellent articles about Italy in Italian.
This podcast is almost entirely in Italian and is mainly designed for intermediate learners although you can easily select your level and choose to listen to episodes that are right for you. The website includes transcripts as well as helps learners learn colloquialisms in the “Usi Colloquiali” (Colloquial Uses) section. Host Davide mixes stories from his own life with handy new vocabulary - a winning mix!
The Italiano Automatico podcast is great for upper intermediate and advanced learners of Italian. It’s total immersion combined with lots of interesting topics and explains idiomatic and colloquial expressions. It is the companion podcast to the popular Italian learning website Italiano Automatico by Alberto Arrighini.
An Italian podcast with a twist: In Da Costa a Costa, host Francesco Costa covers American politics in the Italian language, offering an in-depth look at the USA from the Italian perspective. The episodes are well-produced and a pleasure to listen to, and will give you plenty of interesting material to listen to. They are created for native speakers, so most suitable for the more advanced learners.
Coffee Break Italian is a podcast show that helps you take your intermediate Italian to the next level, one coffee break at a time! In each 10-episode season, they cover a range of topics to deepen your understanding of tricky grammar, broaden your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation. The show covers a variety of topics way beyond your usual textbooks.
Interested in other language podcasts?
Interested in podcasts for other languages? We've got you covered! Explore our series of the 9 best podcasts:
9 Of The Best Podcasts For Learning French
Advanced Learner Tip: Native Italian Podcasts
The Italian podcast world has come a long way in recent times, and these days you’ll be able to find a big array of native level content to listen to when you want to get Italian language immersion. You can choose from a full catalogue of shows on topics from politics to film reviews.
The easiest way to access native Italian language podcasts is to go to your Podcasts app and switch the country setting to Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, or Switzerland. There’s no restriction on your switch, and you’ll be able to access all podcasts in the same way that listeners from Italy can.
Spanish Language Learning FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Can I Learn Basic Italian in 3 Months?
Yes, you can learn basic Italian in 3 months with consistent effort and the right approach.
Here are some tips to help you:
Set Clear Useful Goals: Define what “basic Italian” means for you. Consider common phrases, basic grammar, and conversational skills.
Daily Practice: Dedicate a specific amount of time each day to study. Even 30 minutes can make a significant difference.
Use Various Resources: Combine different resources to keep your learning diverse and engaging. You can take a look at the Italian resources page I created by clicking here.
How To Learn A Language By Yourself
If you want to boost your motivation and stay on track as you study the Italian language, I recommend the Language Habit System. This course gives you all the tools you need to plan your studies, track your progress and take stock of where you need to go next.
Click here to learn more about the Language Habit System
Don’t forget to share this blog on social media to inspire your friends and fellow Italy travelers to immerse themselves in the language.