Penpal

I am emozionato, I have a penpal. She is Italian, but lives in Germany. I also have a German penpal now, but i think she wants to use her English. German is my next language to brush up on, so not a bad idea. Was scrabbling to write something, but managed. Quite empowering to be able to do that. I understood most of what she  wrote, but need to look up some of the new words.

Ciao a tutti

sebongela

I think this is great.  If you or anyone else would like another penpal to practice Italian, let me know.  I started about 4 months ago so. still have a ways to go.  thanks!

Luz

Hi Luz

I found my pen friend on Global pen friends. The German lady and I correspond regularly in English. My German is coming along, so I now can add German words and simple sentences. The Italian lady did not keep up with the correspondence. My Italian is getting better, but still find it difficult to use spontaneous thought. Although my comprehension has improved a lot. I use Coffee Break Languages a lot now. Their podcasts are free and great for practice. I subscribed to the German, as my German is still very basic. The Italian I listen to the podcasts for language. Have subscribed to their travel diaries and magazine. Those are for intermediate learners. They do give you a free trial  for most of their courses. Not as interactive as Rocket, as no recording feature, but all little bits help.

Happy learning

Sebongela

Thank you!  I will check your podcast reccomendations.  I listen to one, Simone Pols.  It is easy to understand and he has alot of different topics.

Luz

This is an online forum of helpful and friendly Italian learners: https://italianduo.boards.net/

Posts are written in as much Italian as you feel comfortable with, and it's a great place to develop written Italian in a supportive envirinment. I highly recommend it.

Chris

Grazie ChrisM108

Thanks will look at it. Have a busy week, just gallavanting. Makes a welcome change. That said now when I go out too much feel overwhelmed and don't enjoy it as much as I used to. So some advantages to Covid

Ciao

Sebongela

Hi ChrisM108

Me again! I decided to try the italian duo boards. Were you asked for your credit card details even though they say it is 100% free. Makes no sense to me. Let me know when you have a moment.

Did you celebrate the Jubilee? looked amazing, but the crowds looked horrendous

Sebongela

Ciao Sebongela. Come va?

I checked with the forum moderator and she confirms it is absulutely free, and had not encountered your issue before. She said that the platform - ProBoards - do sometimes tout for donations, but in essence, skip any bit that asks for a credit card.  

The forum is incredibly useful, as it forces to you read and write in Italian in bite-sized chunks, on real-world topics of interest to the members, who are incredibly friendly and supportive.

Buona fortuna!

Chris

Ciao ChrisM108

Sto molto bene e tu? 

Thank you for the information. Could not see why when offered free had to give my card details. 

Went for a bike ride at 6 in the morning. That done then had that nagging at the back of my mind. Recently bought an electric bike. Pedal assist, so unfortunately you can't stop pedalling. Trying to get fitter as we would like to do a bike ride/ tour in Europe. Preferably somewhere quite flat. Don't want a guided one, I like to stop when I want to and admire the scenery.

Been watching a TV program on great escapes during the second world war. 2 of the ones we have watched are in Italy. Amazing mountains and tiny villages nestled on the edges, just in the middle of nowhere. Now that is the Italy I would like to see.

Thanks again. Have a great day.

Sharon