5 TV Series to Improve Your Italian Language Skills
Language immersion is always a great way to deepen your knowledge and proficiency in a target language. Even though immersing yourself in the local culture can be difficult at first, doing so will significantly improve your Italian language skills. What better way to hone your Italian language abilities than watching interesting TV shows?
Due to their accessibility, TV shows give language learners that are looking to improve their proficiency in Italian a distinct advantage.
These programs are easily accessible thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and RaiPlay, and they also come with subtitles for a better understanding of the dialogues, the plot and, of course, the intricacies of the Italian language.
These five Italian TV shows offer an immersive and exciting way to increase your language ability, whether you’re a novice looking to understand the fundamentals of the Italian language or an intermediate learner looking to polish your language abilities. Grab the remote, pick the program that best appeals to you, and start your amusing language-learning journey. Buona visione!
1. Un Posto al Sole (Raiplay) – Level: beginner
Un Posto al Sole is Italy’s longest-running soap opera, set in the picturesque city of Naples. The story centers around the lives of the occupants of an apartment complex called Palazzo Palladini. It tackles a wide range of storylines, including romance, family dynamics, job problems, and societal issues. Un Posto al Sole offers a steady pace of speech and daily language with a slow-paced and straightforward plot, making it an excellent resource for developing your Italian understanding and conversational skills.
2. Tutto può succedere (RaiPlay) – Level: beginner/intermediate
The Bianchi family is the focus of the endearing Italian comedy-drama series Tutto può succedere. It shows the ups and downs of a multigenerational family, their relationships, and the difficulties they encounter. It was inspired by the American television series “Parenthood.” The program gives a look at modern Italian family dynamics as well as approachable language for newcomers and intermediates looking for a controlled and yet somehow credible language input.
3. Skam Italia (Netflix) – Level: intermediate
Skam Italia is an Italian remake of the popular Norwegian teen drama series Skam. Set in Rome, the show follows a group of high school kids as they navigate the challenges of friendship, love, and identity in the digital age, with each season focusing on a new character, exploring their personal difficulties and adventures. The show offers a glimpse into contemporary Italian youth culture, giving an excellent resource for boosting listening comprehension and familiarizing with colloquial Italian. With the option of Italian subtitles, beginners can follow along and gradually strengthen their language skills. Immerse yourself in the lives of these relatable individuals and follow the trip of Skam Italia to learn the problems and successes of Italian youth.
4. Romanzo Criminale (NowTV) – Level: intermediate/advanced
Based on the Giancarlo De Cataldo novel, the riveting criminal thriller Romanzo Criminale is set on the southern outskirts of Rome. The series, which is set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, follows the really existing “Banda della Magliana” gang as they gain strength and become one of the most significant crime organizations in Italy. With its captivating plot, this series can be enjoyed by students of any level as it offers an immersive experience that lets you learn to understand while exploring Rome’s criminal underbelly. However, the genuine Italian speech (not unburdened by heavy regional inflections) makes viewing this show more suitable for intermediate and advanced students.
5. Boris (Disney+) – Level: advanced
Boris is a satirical Italian comedy series that provides a behind-the-scenes peek into the development of a fake TV show called Gli Occhi del Cuore (The Eyes of the Heart). The sitcom hilariously captures the chaotic and surreal world of Italian television production, with unusual characters, outlandish scenarios, and biting social satire. Boris offers a terrific opportunity to develop your Italian language abilities while enjoying its fast-paced dialogue, sharp comedy, and references to Italian pop culture. Still, the often subtle cultural nuances on which its humor relies make it ideal almost exclusively for advanced students.
And this is just the top of the iceberg, as in the recent years Italian and international networks have generated tens of amazing TV-Series fully spoken in Italian!
So, grab some popcorn, select the TV series that matches with your interests, and go on an amusing and educational adventure to improve your Italian language abilities. Immerse yourself in the complex storytelling, connect with the language, and embrace the vast spectrum of cultural experiences these plays offer.
