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Italian Language Lover Gift Guide 2014

December 6, 2014 By Cher 8 Comments

Language Gift Guide Cover

If I know Italian language learners like I think I do, then I’m aware that they already have a lot of stuff for learning the language.

If you were to open their closet or tiptoe down to the boxes they have in their basement, I can guarantee that you would find audiobooks, flash cards, workbook exercises, textbooks, DVDs, and software suites all guaranteed to help them become fluent in one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

The goal here is not to gift them with more stuff that they will decide not to use, but to inspire them to keep learning, absorbing, and appreciating everything the Italian language and culture has to offer.

 

For the language learner with…

 

 

A round-trip ticket in hand for Italy

CiaoA passport holder

Like this chic one from Etsy – Ciao! Passport Holder

 

 

 

 

Travel JournalA travel journal

Like this timeless one from Etsy – Italian Travel Journal

 

 

 

 

Schermata 2014-11-22 alle 6.06.59 PMA keepsake box

Like this classy one from Modcloth – Travel Treasures Keepsake Box

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

 

 

 

 

YogaA travel yoga mat

Because loving yoga is universal

Try this one from Lululemon – The Un Mat

 

 

 

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Travel phrase guide + workbook 

Because practice makes progress

Check it out here from yours truly.

A love for the kitchen

 

An Italian spice trio will make any chef happy.Spice

Try this one from Etsy – Italian Spice Trio

 

 

Helllloooo, can cutting boards get any more glorious than this? I WANT NOW.il_570xN.618297428_rwhz

Try this one from Etsy – Italy Cutting Board

 

 

 

Apparently this olive oil has won awards for being il_570xN.679066146_fp91incredible.

Even if it hadn’t, I would still want it.

The company, LunaOlivo, also has lots of varieties of balsamic from all over Italy as well as truffle oil.

Try this one from Etsy – Mission Olive Oil

 

 

 

An obsession with literature

712-8smbm+L._SL1199_Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo

Tim Parks travels Italy by train and observes the Italian culture on his journey.

I know this book is bound to be insightful because of this line in the summary

“Parks captures what makes Italian life distinctive: an obsession with speed but an acceptance of slower, older ways; a blind eye toward brutal architecture amid grand monuments; and an undying love of a good argument and the perfect cappuccino.”

If I noticed nothing else throughout my journey with Italy and learning Italian, it’s the dichotomies that exist and will always fascinate me.
41lJWhdPoFLLa Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language

Dianne Hales delivers Italy in a way that combines the language, the history, the art, and the culture. She weaves together a story that is intimate, yet informative, and I will never stop loving her for writing this book.

It opened my eyes to the depth that I had been missing about Italy while learning Italian, and I am forever grateful for that.

 

 

 

 

51Eczi5wLcLLa Bella Figura: A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

I like Beppe because he’s honest and funny. Really, I don’t ask for much more than that when it comes to books.

An Italian by birth, he shows his country in all its glory and gore.

While I love Italy, I am very aware that it has its problems, and I think it’s important for people who want to be a part of the country to cognizant of them.

In this book, he lays out the problems Italy has faced and is facing in a way that makes you feel compassion and amazement at the same time.
51WqXZT8F6LBeautiful Ruins: A Novel

It has Italy, romance, and scandal. What more do you need?

 

 

 

 
81LeAhu6PyL._SL1500_To Tuscany with Love

More romance + more scandal set in Tuscany. You’ll read this book in one sitting, promise.

 

 

 

A passion for interior design

These decorations will make any home feel more Italian.

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Get it here: Italian Kitchen Poster

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Get it here: Vespa Scooter Italian Poster

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Get it here: Cucina Sign

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Get it here: Italian Coffee Print Typography

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Get it here: Paint Splashes Map of Italy

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Get it here: Fiat 500 Italian Poster

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Get it here: Vintage Poster

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Get it here: Ciao Bella Poster

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Get it here: Florence Art Print

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Get it here: Florence Is Calling Poster

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Get it here: Italy Gold Foil Map Print

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Get it here: Mangia Decor Sign

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Get it here: Florence Cutout

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Get it here: Italy Typography Map

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Get it here: Hand Cut Map of Rome

 Learning Italian

If you’re someone who wants to start learning Italian or you know that learning language stuff is the way to go with this person, here’s what I recommend:

People just starting out

81NgY-snRHLAssimil Pack Italian with Ease – Book plus MP3 CD (Italian Edition)

People who have learned many languages RAVE about Assimil as if it were the holy grail of language learning textbooks.

I can’t profess loyalty to it because I haven’t personally gone through the textbook, but I trust the experience of those who have, which is why this learning aid has made the cut.

Apparently, it’s the most entertaining textbook you can get on the market and effective because it combines listening and reading skills.
715NU+2j9DLItalian, Basic: Learn to Speak and Understand Italian with Pimsleur Language Programs

If you’re crunched for time but have a decent-sized commute, then Pimsleur may be a good fit for you to start learning the language.

While I haven’t used it personally with Italian, a lot of the readers on this site swear by it, and I trust them to tell me what’s working and what’s not working for them.

The downside of this course?

There is very little, if any, grammar explained, so you’ll need to pair it with something more detailed if you’re analytical.

rocket-italian-logoRocket Languages

I liked using Rocket Languages so much that I wrote a review on it here.

The short version? It has lots useful dialogue, lots of opportunities for review, and plenty of tools to help you get practice in listening, reading, speaking and writing.

 

 

Those who have been learning it for a while

51f96o59p-L50 Ways to Improve Your Italian: A Teach Yourself Guide (Teach Yourself Language)

This book has been on my wish list for months now, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it for myself this Christmas because I love any guide that professes to tweak what I already think to be true in Italian.

The areas of my Italian that still need work are always overwhelming, so having a guide that feels like a checklist relieves me.

 

 

 

81AhiabZaWLLo Zingarelli 2014. Vocabolario della lingua italiana. Con aggiornamento online. Con DVD-ROM (Italian Edition)

This native Italian dictionary is the pinnacle of well-made Italian dictionaries.

The newest edition can be pretty pricey, but if you don’t mind getting an older version, you can save at least 50%.

 

 

 

italkiItalki Credits

If you know that the person learning Italian loves Italki, buying them credits as a gift is a genius move.

If you love using it yourself and need to be more consistent with your lessons, buying these credits will force you into using them.

 

Any to add? Drop ‘em in the comments below!

Tanti auguri!

Filed Under: Culture, Italian Tagged With: Christmas, Natale

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About Cher

Cher is the founder of The Iceberg Project and a passionate learner of the Italian, Mandarin and Spanish languages. In a little town called Vegas, you can find her searching the Internet for Doctor Who and Parks & Rec memes, drinking bubble tea, or talking about how much she loves grammar.

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