We started working on the past subjunctive this week - it almost seems like an afterthought after slogging through the present subjunctive over the last few weeks. I’m definitely finding it easier to get my head around - at least at first glance!
I’ve pulled together my study notes on the past subjunctive tense (il [...]

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I’ve jotted down my notes on the present subjunctive tense (il congiuntivo presente) - one that is in decline in English, but which continues to flourish in contemporary Italian.
My teacher held off introducing us to the subjunctive tenses until our 4th year, because she says that they can be difficult for foreign students to learn. [...]

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Finally…after weeks of procrastination, I’ve started dumping all my class notes into a journal.
These notes are raw. They are transcribed from my class scribbles and unless absolutely necessary, have been left unedited. So please bear that in mind!
Over the next couple of months, I’m going to backfill with my notes from last year; [...]

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So the new school year starts in…a couple of weeks!
Help!  There’s no way that I’m ready.  I feel like I’ve barely thought about my studies since last year…you know that each year you convince yourself that NEXT time will be different and you’ll prepare better!  But you never do.
At the moment, I am frantic with [...]

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One of the odd things about studying the Italian language is working out how to type accented Italian characters. These simple tricks for PC/Windows are definitely worth a try.
METHOD 1: 
1. Select the Start menu, then select Settings, then select Control Panel.
2. Choose the Keyboard option and click on the Language tab.
3. Click the button and choose Italian.
4. An icon will appear [...]

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I’ve pulled together my study notes on the present conditional verb tense (see the link below).
I think they are best suited to 2nd or 3rd year language students…yeah, yeah I know it’s a dry subject but hey, it’s nice to share things around where we can.
Il verbo condizionale presente

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I apologise up-front if this posting sounds self indulgent…tune out now (I hope you don’t!!) if that bugs you.
For a cranky, dopey, near ‘middle aged’ stranieri ignorante, learning italian ‘e molto difficile.
If you’re a mature aged student, you know what it’s like…
By the end of the day, the office has fried your brain, the train [...]

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