If you have been following me for a while, you may know what Pausa Caffè is.
But if this is your first time here, let me tell you a bit more about it. Basically, Pausa Caffè is a challenge to help you practice your Italian every day for a month.
I first launched Pausa Caffè in February last year and it was a success, so much so that I had two more rounds of the challenge during the year. Students liked it because it was a way for them to speak Italian on a daily basis, which is something you rarely do if you do not live in Italy.
Also, they liked it because it was really easy and quick. They didn’t have to spend too much time working on the challenge and it was easy to incorporate it into their daily lives. So students told me that it was a good way for them to practice Italian daily and also a way to overcome their fear of speaking Italian.
By speaking a little Italian every day, they felt more confident and at ease. Some students also enjoyed having to think about the daily question and looking for new words and expressions they needed to use. I still get lots of positive comments about the challenge and this is why I have decided to offer it again this spring.
But let me tell you more about it.
First of all, the challenge is called Pausa Caffè because a coffee break usually doesn’t last long, maybe just 10 minutes, and this is exactly the time you need to work on the challenge every day. If you sign up for Pausa Caffè, every day you will get a short video from me with a question for you and an idea for a possible answer.
What you need to do is simply answer the question in either video or audio form. I will be using VideoAsk, a platform that gives you the chance of a conversation via asynchronous video. The length of each video on the platform can’t be more than 2 minutes, which makes it perfect for a quick question and answer.
If you do not feel confident enough to show your face – which I totally understand – you can reply in audio form and it will be totally fine. Also, I will listen to your reply and send you feedback on your reply via email. I will do it every day, for each reply you will send me. In order to be able to enjoy this experience at best, you need to be at level B1 (intermediate). But let’s see things in detail.
How does it work?
It’s super easy: you sign up for Pausa Caffè and will get a video every day for one month (Monday through Friday). Each video will contain a question for you and an idea for a possible answer. You have to reply to that question – in audio or video form – with your answer. For each video you send me, I’ll email you with feedback and I’ll correct possible mistakes if needed.
Keep in mind that, in order to be able to enjoy this experience at best, you need to be at level B1 (intermediate).
When does it start?
It starts on Tuesday, March 1st and ends on Thursday, March 31st. In that period, you will get an email every day from Monday to Friday with a video recorded by me. Each video will never be more than 2 minutes long, making it super easy and quick for you to watch it. I will use VideoAsk, which is a platform that gives you the chance of chatting via asynchronous videos.
How much does it cost?
It’s 45 USD, which is more or less the cost of one coffee a day.
What will you get?
– the chance to speak Italian consistently, every weekday (Monday through Friday)
– a safe and relaxed environment – your own home – where you can speak freely
– tips and recommendations to improve your speaking skills
– more confidence when speaking Italian
Let’s summarize:
– Pausa Caffè is a challenge to make you speak Italian daily, for a month
– it begins on Tuesday, March 1st and ends on Thursday, March 31st
– every weekday (Monday through Friday) you get a video with a question you need to answer in either video or audio form
– for every daily answer you send me, you will get an email from me with feedback
– it costs 45 USD, which is just a bit more than the cost of a daily coffee for a month, here in Italy
– it won’t be back soon, so grab it while you can!
[Subscriptions are closed, Pausa Caffè will be back in the fall].
Great idea, with only one question back at you. At what level (give or take a number) are your videos? Are we talking total beginner, upper principiante, lower intermedio?? The time-being-everything issue is that no one finds it fun to spend half a day trying to figure out what you’ve said. On the other hand, no one wants to “invest” $45 to listen to :See Spot Run.” Can you give us a little more info, please?
Grazie mille e a presto!
You’re absolutely right! Since I have offered this challenge a few times already, I completely forgot to specify the level.
I am really sorry! However, the ideal level to enjoy this challenge is B1 (intermediate).
I will update the post with this information.
A presto!
Cinzia
Hope that in the future you will have another beginning level challenge. I love Instant Italy. Thank you.
I will definitely come up with something for beginners! I am really happy that you love what I do, thanks for letting me know. It means a LOT.
Un grande abbraccio,
Cinzia