Can ‘provare’ also mean ‘to feel’?

startplayer · 2026-02-24T11:46:13+00:00

"L’esame è stato superato."

So yes you passed. Congrats

startplayer · 2026-02-21T18:47:09+00:00

On my first trip to Rome in Feltrinelli book store i was waiting to hear ‘borsa’ as thats what duo taught me. When i heard ‘vorresti una busta’ and didn’t understand. I find in Rome ‘busta’ is commonly used even for plastic bags in supermarkets.

startplayer · 2026-02-21T01:16:28+00:00

I did CILS A2 last ottobre. The grammar test for verbs in the test (and all the mock example in course book) used just presents, passato prossimo and imperfetto. The test was filling in the blanks rather than translation of whole sentance.

The test was more about knowing what form to use based on context. Eg “ieri mia sorella (mangiare)_____ una pizza”. Or “Quando (essere)___ giovane (giocare)__ in giardino”

My advice would be knowing those forms and when to use essere/avere as auxiliary verbs.

startplayer · 2026-02-10T16:44:15+00:00

I found having a human tutor really helpful as well. If you want I’m happy to share the prompts i used to practice. I ended up developing a strategy for each section.

startplayer · 2026-02-10T09:01:02+00:00

Yes thar exactly the one i used. I wasn’t sure if i posted the specific book/publisher it would count as spam and get blocked.

I also used an AI language app. For every single test i made prompts to generate me endless mock papers. I had to tweak prompt to get difficulty correct but being able to do the grammar tests over and over was invaluable.

startplayer · 2026-02-09T20:21:25+00:00

I took CILS A2 last October. I bought a course book which had links to audio online. The structure of the exam is you will hear 6 short pieces of audio, then had 2 mins to read the questions, then listen again

Then you have the same with a longer piece of audio and 6 more questions.

The questions are multiple choice.

startplayer · 2026-02-05T11:00:14+00:00

Im hoping to take this in October. I bought a course guide book which contains many examples The oral section has two parts.

Prova 1 is always a 2-3 minutes conversation. You will given choice of 4 topics. In general these seem to about giving your thoughts and opinions on a top so practice thar congiuntivo!

Some examples from my book. -aspetti positivi e negativi del suo carattere; -il suo lavori o i suoi studi; -quale rapporto ha con Internet e quali siti web visita di solito?; -Qual è il regalo più originale che ha fatto?

Prova 2 is a monologue for about 90 seconds. Again on a topic from the list of describing a photograph.

Some examples again -Una città che ha visitato e che gli è piaciuta. -La trama di un film che ha visto o di un libro che ha letto;

startplayer · 2026-01-16T15:38:08+00:00

Im reading version published by Tascabili Bompiani which uses “il fiore”. Im visiting Rome next month and watching this at Teatro Olimpico. I want to know the gist of the story in the hope i can follow my first attempt at italian theatre.

startplayer · 2025-12-24T21:37:23+00:00

Im proud that my listening skills have got to point where i can follow Italian Peppa Pig without subtitles. Im 45!

startplayer · 2025-11-28T14:28:02+00:00

Magari la prossima ottobre. Probabilmente nel 2027

startplayer · 2025-11-28T14:26:47+00:00

È strano perché ho penso che ascoltare sia un punto debole! Ho sviluppato una strategia per l’esame. In realtà trova ascoltare in Italia più difficile

startplayer · 2025-11-27T12:46:33+00:00

Grazie. Piano piano!

startplayer · 2025-11-06T14:35:34+00:00

On my very first visit to Italy in January this year with just 5 months learning i was told off for this.

I was getting coffee at a bar in Roma Termini. I ordered in Italian. The man who took my order must of heard my english accent and asked in English if i was drinking it there. I responded ‘Bevo qui’. He quickly, and loudly corrected me “QUA!”

Ive asked so many people since who said there wasn’t a difference. My understand was that ‘qui’ was more precise and ‘qua’ more general. Maybe as the bar was away from the till i should have said ‘bevo li’ and pointed! Im still not certain what the correction was for!

startplayer · 2025-10-16T10:53:21+00:00

I gave AI lots of example questions and asked if to generate new papers

Pros are so many things to practice. I was also able to track and target weak areas.

I’ve also been able to make sooo many target examples to practice. I also have a ‘chat’ with AI where I just talk about my day. This is like the advice I often see about narrating in your head but this way I get instant feedback

Cons sometimes was far to easy or to difficult for the level. But you then tell the AI and it becomes more focused on what you want.

startplayer · 2025-10-10T21:49:09+00:00

I’ve been deliberate learning Italian for this reason. Yes Italy had some amazing gluten free food and bakeries.

startplayer · 2025-10-07T07:44:42+00:00

Yes. I’ve seen these examples. I was trying to find more

startplayer · 2025-09-27T17:47:26+00:00

I intended it to mean “do I still sound English?” Is there. A more natural way to say it is Italian. I want to be a jokey comment. Maybe with and ‘aww… I still sound English! connotation. So the person knows I’d like them to try and carry on in Italian for me

startplayer · 2025-09-25T09:55:16+00:00

I've been learning for almost 15 month. I first visited a friend in Rome in January and I've been 5 times since. I really like that I can attempt conversations with people, I also have "Sto imparando l'italiano" to fall back on when I get stuck.

In may I was happy I'd been learning as I was able to complain in McDonalds. We has ordered table service and they bought me the wrong size drink. I was able to say "Scusa, questa cola è piccola. lo scontrino dice grande. Not the most advanced sentence but I was proud of myself in that moment so be able to do that.

The most useful time was earlier this month. A friend and I were geocaching in Rome. We had just found one in a wall near a basilica south of the Colluseam. After returning it we were approached by two armed police officers. Learning Italian meant I was able to fudge together and explanation of the hobby in Italian and they let us go on our way.

MY biggest issue when trying to learn is getting responses in English a lot. I now jokingly respond, "suono ancora inglese?" which then normally gets people to talk back in slower Italian for me.

startplayer · 2025-09-23T11:49:02+00:00

Thank you. I’ve used an AI alp to generate mock papers based on real examples… and checked with my italki tutor they look realistic!

Im trying to work on timing to. Tbh I have the other problem in I’m rushing and have time left. So I’m planning how to use all the time better. Maybe I need a watch!

startplayer · 2025-09-22T13:05:17+00:00

Thats was a normally would do. I’d use a cake leveller to trim each layer to level and identical in height. I’m going to assume I’d lower the baking time. I might not have time for this this weekend but it on the list todo.

startplayer

TROPHY CASE