🇮🇹 Don’t Touch That Dial! We’ve Got Language, Driving & Visa Lessons
Using TV to help learn Italian, decoding traffic signs, exploring rental requirements for visas, returning to the rails ➕ more in this week’s Per Te
Wait… Watching TV 📺 Can Help You Learn Italian? Now That’s Bingeworthy!
Last week, we talked about culture shock in Italy, and how certain things can make you feel like a bit of an outsider – including how well you do (or don’t) speak Italian. Learning another language is hard, no matter what your native tongue is or which one you’re trying to pick up. And it’s even harder when you’re an adult.
So let’s dig into one particular method that might help you take a step forward, especially in terms of recognizing words when hearing other people speak.
“TV will rot your brain!” It’s an old saying – one most of us probably heard as kids –– and one you might be saying now as a parent! For the most part, studies have shown it’s not completely off-base. However… TV can also teach you a thing or two, if used as a learning tool.
How? Context. Seeing images related to words you may have already learned gives you context. Now, admittedly, this is not a tool for beginners who don’t have any vocabulary under their belt. But for anyone who has good knowledge of basic categories like travel words, colors, days of the week, different professions, etc., hearing them spoken in the context of, say, a news program can give you a little win. Like when you see images of a tent with fruits and veggies and hear “mercato… verde… sabato…” and realize, ”Hey, they’re talking about something to do with a green market coming on Saturday – I understood that!”
It might just be every fifth word you catch, but the ones you do will be more recognizable the next time you hear them. It works the other way too – the more you hear a word in context on TV, the quicker it will come to your brain when you try to remember and speak it.
Another helpful genre is TV for kids. Since it will be written at a basic level that children can understand, it puts you back in “sponge mode” yourself, able to pick out more words than, say, a complicated dramatic film. Cooking shows and sports work well, too, once you know the basics around the kitchen and on the fields. Really any kind of programming where you know they are going to stick to a specific topic will be helpful. It’s almost like using flashcards.
This doesn’t always have to be active watching, either. You can leave it on in the background while cleaning the house or cooking. While this lacks the visual aspect, just hearing Italian in the background of your life will help it sound more normal to your ear when immersed in it.
How do you watch Italian TV from abroad? It depends on where you live to know exactly what’s available, but a site we’ve heard mentioned is eja.tv. Remember, SMI has no relationship to that service and therefore cannot vouch for its streaming reliability – but we did use it to have Rai News 24 on in the background while writing this!
A Different Kind of Language Lesson: Decoding Italian Traffic Signs 🚸
Now let’s help put something else in context: Italian road signs. Driving abroad is stressful enough. Let’s decode the different signs you’ll see while zipping through the bel paese – eyes on the road!
Let’s start with shapes – they all mean something different. Triangular signs are a warning – there’s something you need to know about ahead, be it a bump, bend, or pedestrian crossing. They are most often red, white, and black. Rectangular and square signs are informative: one-way, parking, no-parking, etc. Circles are either prohibitions – like no stopping areas or vehicle weight and height restrictions – or mandatory moves – like “keep right” or “this is the speed limit now.”
See a red slash through your sign? Something is ending, be it a bike lane, or a province! When you see two province signs on top of one another, the top is where you’re entering, and the bottom, with its red slash, is where you’re leaving.
In general, informative signs on motorways (highways) are green, other main roads are blue, and urban areas, airports, and hospitals use white. Brown signs are geographic or touristic.
Italian signs are very visual, with imagery often doing the hard work in place of words. But one place where words and numbers are very important is parking signs – remember they are on “military” 24-hour time. So you’ll have to know your 21s from your 9s to know how long your car is good in a spot.
Wikipedia has a terrific rundown of the many, many signs you’ll see in Italy. Make sure you check out “indirect left turn” – looks more to us like a sign saying, “Wow – you’re really lost!”
Podcast Corner 🎙️ Let’s Get Your Visa Application in Order!
Here’s an episode of the "A New Life in Italy" podcast that can’t be missed if you’re thinking of moving to Italy or seeking a visa. We explore the necessity of securing a rental property before applying for a visa. Many aspiring expatriates find themselves caught off-guard by this requirement, which can complicate their plans and create confusion.
We start by outlining the types of long-term visas available in Italy, specifically the “National D” visa, which is valid for up to 365 days. Proof of a residential address is a mandatory part of the visa application process, and short-term accommodations like Airbnbs or hotels will not suffice. This is true among student and digital nomad visas, as well as ones for elective residency and family reunification.
Then, we break down the types of rental leases that can qualify for an application – the transitorio lease, a short-term option lasting between 1 to 18 months, and the more stable 4 plus 4 and 3 plus 2 leases, which offer longer-term commitments. It’s important to ensure your lease aligns with the visa requirements.
Finally, we look at common challenges foreigners face when securing a rental in Italy – such as language barriers or proving financial stability – and offer tips on timing your rental search to coincide with your visa application process.
As always, we encourage anyone considering a move to Italy to reach out to the SmartMoveItaly.com team for assistance to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
Join us as we explore the ins and outs of securing a rental property in Italy: Listen here!
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA): More Transit Talk Please! What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?
Ciao, Samantha! I loved the recent item on Italian buses and trains! Any chance you can talk about what to do when a train stops or breaks down? Or when trains are canceled. Can you just jump on the next train? Do you have to wait in line at the train station to get rebooked? I think info like this could be quite useful to people not familiar with it, and to those considering making a move, as transit is such a big part of that decision. Grazie! – Petra
Ciao, Petra! Absolutely! First, I love train travel in Italy, and we use it often but we are also in the habit of checking strike schedules in advance.
If you’re not familiar with the Italian train system it can feel daunting, especially when delays, strikes, or cancellations throw a wrench in your plans. Here’s the scoop:
When a train stops unexpectedly or is canceled, you usually can hop on the next available train on the same route without additional hassle. Just check if there’s a regional train coming through—these don’t usually require reservations and can be a lifesaver if your high-speed option is down. For Frecciarossa or other reserved trains, it’s a bit trickier. You’ll need to get your ticket rebooked for a specific time, which might mean standing in line at the station or heading to the ticket counter. But there’s good news: Italy’s major train providers (like Trenitalia) have apps that make this process smoother, letting you rebook directly from your phone. Make sure you download it. You can hook up your PayPal and pay the tickets in just a few clicks. Also, the online tickets are automatically validated now, so there is no risk of getting a ticket if you forget.
I also love to use Italo trains. They are high-speed trains that go to the major destinations in Italy and can be a good option. Because I often work on the train, I like the Club cars where for just a few more euros you can have a private compartment.
*Please send your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
This Week in Italian History: Off to the Races 🏃♂️!
In honor of the New York City Marathon 👟taking place last weekend, let’s wind the clock back 38 years to look at a big moment for Italy – a string of them, really – in that race’s rich history.
On a humid and cloudy November 2, 1986, Italy scored its third consecutive NYC Marathon win!
Gianni Poli took home his first title with a time of 2:11:06, just three days shy of his 29th birthday. Poli continued an Italian run of dominance started two years earlier by Orlando Pizzolato, who earned back-to-back NYC Marathon wins in 1984 and 1985!
The U.S. reeled off 13 consecutive wins from the race’s inception in 1970, but since that run, only Mexico and Kenya have managed to match Italy’s feat of a three-peat in the men’s category.
Ten years after Poli, Giacomo Leone’s 1996 win was the last time an Italian won the men’s side. And in 1998, Franca Fiacconi won Italy’s lone women’s title, and it remains the last time any Italian finished first in the Big Apple.
Location Spotlight📍Abateggio/Majella National Park ⛰
Abbateggio, named one of “i borghi più belli d'Italia ("the most beautiful villages of Italy") is situated within the Parco Nazionale della Maiella (Majella National Park). If nature is your game, you’d be hard-pressed to do better in Italy.
While being somewhat isolated in the Lejo valley, the small and ancient town (with roots going back to the ninth century) is only about two hours from Rome and just 25 km from the sea in Pescara. Nearby are the Passolanciano slopes, where you can ski while admiring the sea off in the distance – a nice touch!
This detached house, constructed of Majella stone (traditional to the area) was recently renovated and boasts a panoramic balcony in the historic center of town. There’s an eat-in kitchen with a fireplace and direct access to the balcony, which offers a wonderful view of the Majella mountains and lush greenery. The living room has a wood stove, and the lower level is a cellar with brick vaults, another wood oven, and a garage. The price tag for this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home? €120,000.
Want to see more?Subscribe to Vendita and get 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel.
And if you’re thinking about buying a property in Italy, you don’t have to do it alone! Book a free 10-minute property purchase discovery call here.
PerTe è finito for this week. But don’t forget — we always have lots more to share with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto! 👋