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      • 2021 Italian Words of Week
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      • 2027 June Matta Arezzo Italian Program
      • 2026 September Matta Tuscan Villa Language Program
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    • About BookClub
    • Commissario Ricciardi: Il posto di ognuno
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      • Buy Dreaming Sophia
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Studentessa Matta

Cultural Anecdotes & Current Affairs

  • amici italiani
  • Amici, Friends
  • Curiosities & Current Affairs
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  • Italian Culture
  • Matta Life
  • Google Home Mini now communicates in Italian!

    Google Home Mini now communicates in Italian!

  • Top Read Matta Blog Posts of 2019 – Studentessa Matta Favorites

    Top Read Matta Blog Posts of 2019 – Studentessa Matta Favorites

  • Laura che crea: The artist from Arezzo brining its cultural treasures to life

    Laura che crea: The artist from Arezzo brining its cultural treasures to life

  • Arezzo Fiera Antiquaria — Exploring Arezzo’s Antique Market

    Arezzo Fiera Antiquaria — Exploring Arezzo’s Antique Market

  • A night to remember in Arezzo! Melissa Muldoon Author Presentation in Ivan Bruschi Museum

    A night to remember in Arezzo! Melissa Muldoon Author Presentation in Ivan Bruschi Museum

  • Mi Piace, Ti Piace, Ci Piace! Italian Verb Piacere. Guest post by Roberta

    Mi Piace, Ti Piace, Ci Piace! Italian Verb Piacere. Guest post by Roberta

  • The Art of Fresco Making — Laura Ghezzi shows us how in Arezzo!

    The Art of Fresco Making — Laura Ghezzi shows us how in Arezzo!

  • Omaggio all’ometto — Save the little Bialetti Man

    Omaggio all’ometto — Save the little Bialetti Man

  • Immerse Yourself in Italian: Tips from Maura Garau of CyberItalian!

    Immerse Yourself in Italian: Tips from Maura Garau of CyberItalian!

  • 2018 An Extraordinary Year in Italy! Viaggi, Amicizie e Avventure

    2018 An Extraordinary Year in Italy! Viaggi, Amicizie e Avventure

  • Le Parole di Mamma – A Mother’s Words

    Le Parole di Mamma – A Mother’s Words

  • Two Foreigners — jeweler and author — celebrate culture of Arezzo!

    Two Foreigners — jeweler and author — celebrate culture of Arezzo!

  • Italia – I Love Your Contrasts! Adoro i tuoi contrast

    Italia – I Love Your Contrasts! Adoro i tuoi contrast

  • Sophia Loren: A Letter, A Dream, A Reply!

    Sophia Loren: A Letter, A Dream, A Reply!

  • Montepulciano here we come! Sara will greet us for next Matta Italian Program!

    Montepulciano here we come! Sara will greet us for next Matta Italian Program!

  • Introducing Silvia Celli Of Il Sasso Language School in Montepulciano!

    Introducing Silvia Celli Of Il Sasso Language School in Montepulciano!

  • Discover Arezzo and Learn Italian with Paola Testi and Melissa!

    Discover Arezzo and Learn Italian with Paola Testi and Melissa!

  • Speak Without Fear: Gloria, an Italian Teacher Shares Her Secrets

    Speak Without Fear: Gloria, an Italian Teacher Shares Her Secrets

  • Personalizing a Bialetti Coffee Pot: A Brilliant Idea

    Personalizing a Bialetti Coffee Pot: A Brilliant Idea

  • 2018 — Benvenuto anno nuovo! Chatting in the New Year!

    2018 — Benvenuto anno nuovo! Chatting in the New Year!

  • Ellen Chapman: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Matta Reader’s Journey

    Ellen Chapman: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Matta Reader’s Journey

  • 2018 – 2019 – 2023 Matta Italian Program Highlights: Snapshots of Montepulciano

    2018 – 2019 – 2023 Matta Italian Program Highlights: Snapshots of Montepulciano

  • Con Antico Ardore: Experience the Joust in Arezzo

    Con Antico Ardore: Experience the Joust in Arezzo

  • 2017 Italian Travels: Unforgettable Memories and Moments

    2017 Italian Travels: Unforgettable Memories and Moments

  • Santa Margherita di Cortona: A Saint encased in glass

    Santa Margherita di Cortona: A Saint encased in glass

  • love-letters-from-Juliet-segretarie-giulietta-secretaries-Verona

    Amore a Verona: Writing Letters to Juliet’s Secretaries

  • Matta Italian Blog celebrates seven years: 7 things blog has taught me

    Matta Italian Blog celebrates seven years: 7 things blog has taught me

  • Freaky Fridays: Unlucky 13 or Cursed 17—Which is the Unluckiest Day?

    Freaky Fridays: Unlucky 13 or Cursed 17—Which is the Unluckiest Day?

  • Jasmine Mah: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Studentessa Matta Reader’s Journey

    Jasmine Mah: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Studentessa Matta Reader’s Journey

  • Uomini – Mezz’Uomini – Ominicchi – Quaquaraqua: The Four Categories of Men

    Uomini – Mezz’Uomini – Ominicchi – Quaquaraqua: The Four Categories of Men

  • Paradiso di Frassina: Where Music Grows Wine

    Paradiso di Frassina: Where Music Grows Wine

  • Natalia Krawetz: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Studentessa Matta Reader’s Journey

    Natalia Krawetz: Why I’m Learning Italian – A Studentessa Matta Reader’s Journey

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Dal profumo di caffè al panico al bancone: sopravv Dal profumo di caffè al panico al bancone: sopravvivere alla colazione italiana!

From scent of coffee to panic at the counter: how to survive ordering Italian breakfast like a pro!

Colazione all’italiana! Ordering breakfast at the bar like a local
How to Order Breakfast Like an Italian: Coffee & Pastries at the Bar

Sei in Italia. È presto.
#CoffeeAndCornetto #FareColazione #ItalianBarEtiquette #ItalianBreakfastVibes #LearnItalianWithMatta #studentessamatta
🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matta Italian Langu 🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

☕ Fare una bella figura al bar

Making a Good Impression at an Italian Coffee Bar

Want to order your espresso like a local? 🇮🇹

In my newest post on StudentessaMatta.com (for A1 to B1 Italian learners), you’ll learn the Italian you need to confidently order coffee al bar.

Here’s a little cultural tip to help you fare una bella figura (make a good impression):

💧 If your espresso comes with a small glass of still or sparkling water, many Italians take a sip before drinking their coffee. The water cleanses the palate so you can better appreciate the aroma and flavor of the espresso.

You may have heard that drinking the water after your espresso insults the barista. It’s a fun story... but mostly café folklore. Many Italians drink the water afterward simply because they’re thirsty or want to refresh their palate before heading back to work. Most baristas won’t think twice about it.

The real secret to fare una bella figura isn’t memorizing every unwritten rule. It’s appreciating the culture, being courteous, and speaking even a little Italian with confidence. 

One espresso.
One new word.
 One small conversation.

That’s how fluency grows.

👉 Read the full article on StudentessaMatta.com and join me in Italy for an immersive Italian language adventure where you’ll practice your Italian one espresso at a time!
Sono a Vancouver, in Canada, per festeggiare il 4° Sono a Vancouver, in Canada, per festeggiare il 4° compleanno di Ty e il 2° compleanno di Lu! 🎉🎂 Tanti auguri a questi due adorabili cuccioli, che riempiono ogni giornata di sorrisi, energia e tanta gioia! ❤️🎈
A Quick Shot of Italian for Your Daily Routine Un A Quick Shot of Italian for Your Daily Routine

Una rapida dose di italiano per la tua routine quotidiana — for A1-B1 Learners

Un caffè al bar
A Coffee at the Café

Uno dei modi più piacevoli per praticare l'italiano è entrare in un bar. Non serve una conversazione lunga. Bastano poche parole: un saluto, un ordine e un sorriso.
#CoffeeinItalian #EverydayItalian #Italiangrammar #italianlanguage #Italianvocabulary #LearnItalian #MattaEspresso #SpeakItalian #StudentessaMatta
One of the greatest joys of writing novels set in One of the greatest joys of writing novels set in Italy is hearing from readers who experience the places I’ve written about firsthand. 

This is Lauretta, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Arezzo this June. Originally from San Francisco, she’s spending the summer in beautiful Arezzo studying Italian at Cultura Italiana Arezzo, my wonderful partner language school.

Lauretta speaks Italian beautifully and recently sent me this message:

“Ciao Melissa, sono Lauretta d’Arezzo. Sto leggendo il tuo libro, Il risveglio di Isabella, e mi piace moltissimo! Mi aiuta ad ampliare il mio vocabolario. Penso che i romanzi che parlino dei fatti veri della storia siano molto interessanti. Grazie per aver scritto Il Risveglio di Isabella.”

Grazie, Lauretta! ❤️ Sono davvero felice che il romanzo ti stia piacendo.

Il risveglio di Isabella is set against the backdrop of Arezzo, Tuscany, and follows an American art historian who uncovers a centuries old mystery linking a missing Renaissance masterpiece, the tragic life of Isabella de’ Medici, and a young woman living in wartime Italy. Blending art, history, romance, and suspense, the novel is a journey through Tuscany’s rich past that inspires one woman to rediscover her own creativity and purpose.

Available now on Amazon in paperback, Kindle ebook, and Audible audiobook.
Happy reading... or as we say in Italy, buona lettura! 🇮🇹❤️

#StudentessaMatta #IlRisvegliodiIsabella #WakingIsabella #ItalianLanguage #Arezzo
🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matta Italian Langu 🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

When it comes to comparing things in Italian! 

(Read the latest blog post on the http://StudentessaMatta.com )

Comparing things is something we do every day. We compare prices, restaurants, cities, wines, calories… and even grammar rules! In Italian, you’ll hear three different verbs for making comparisons: confrontare, paragonare, and comparare. They may all translate as to compare, but each has its own nuance. And watch out for one particularly sneaky false friend: confrontare.

Confrontare = to compare two or more things side by side to identify their similarities and differences. This is the verb Italians use most often in everyday conversation when comparing prices, cities, restaurants, books, wines, or just about anything else.

Paragonare = to compare by drawing a likeness or placing one thing on the same level as another. It often has a more figurative, descriptive, or literary feel.

Comparare = also means to compare, but it’s much less common in spoken Italian. You’ll mainly encounter it in formal, legal, bureaucratic, or technical language.

And most importantly... Confrontare ≠ to confront

In Italian, confrontare has nothing to do with 
challenging or confronting someone.

You confrontare two wines.
You don’t confront the waiter!

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  • Blog
    • Italian Language Learning, Tips, Motivation
    • Art & Artists
    • Cultural Anecdotes & Current Affairs
    • Food & Wine
    • History, Holidays, Festivals
    • Literature, Music, Film
    • Traveling, Cities, Excursions
    • Matta Posts with Quizlet Vocabulary Flashcards
    • Sofia la piccola Matta teaches beginner Italian to children
    • Blog Signup
  • About
    • Get to know Melissa
    • What people are saying…
    • Matta Guest Posts
    • Other sites by Melissa
      • Melissa Muldoon Author Site
      • Art of Loving Italy Blog
      • Pinterest Art of Loving Italy
      • Matta Youtube Channel
      • Matta Music Spotify Playlist
      • Matta Podcast
    • News, Awards
    • Studentessa Matta Theme Song
    • Why are you learning Italian? Share Your Story
  • Learn with Melissa
    • Online Lessons + Conversation
    • Learn in Italy with Melissa
    • Join the Matta Italian Book Club — Private & Group Reading Experiences
    • Matta Quizlet Interactive Flashcards
      • Book Club Vocabulary: Io Non Ho Paura
      • Book Club Vocabulary: Guida Astrologica
      • 2022 Italian Words of Week
      • 2021 Italian Words of Week
  • Learn in Italy
    • Matta Travel Programs – Study in Italy with Melissa
      • 2027 June Matta Arezzo Italian Program
      • 2026 September Matta Tuscan Villa Language Program
      • 2026 September Matta & ItalianME Florence Language Program
      • 2026 Arezzo Jousting Festival September Weekend Program
      • Matta Travel Philosophy
    • Previous Matta Language Programs Italy
    • Italian Language Homestay Vacations
    • Walk in Italy Day Experience / Italian Lesson in Italy
  • BookClub
    • About BookClub
    • Commissario Ricciardi: Il posto di ognuno
    • Commissario Ricciardi: Condanna del sangue
    • Commissario Ricciardi:Il senso del dolore
    • Il Treno dei Bambini
    • La Libreria dei Gatti Neri
    • Brodetto galeotto
    • Io non ho paura
    • Quattro metà
    • Prima regola non innamorarsi
    • Il risveglio di Isabella
    • Guida astrologica per cuori infranti
    • Book Club Resource Hub
  • Novels
    • Melissa Muldoon Author Website
    • Amazon Author Page
      • Buy Dreaming Sophia
      • Buy Waking Isabella
      • Buy Il Risveglio di Isabella
      • Buy Eternally Artemisia
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