Why Learn with Easy-Readers?Our brains are not designed to memorize words in isolation. We need to associate new input, such as a word, grammar pattern, or sentence, with an image.Stories provide visuals that help us associate new words and sentences. This makes it easier to recall the new information when we try to use it later.Reading stories helps us absorb the basic principles of Italian sentence construction.My stories include a free downloadable audio, narrated by a native speaker in slow Italian.
The Plot: Did you know that Rome is made up of many different neighborhoods, each with its own unique history and identity? Join Paul as he explores the Eternal City and learn about Italy through real-life dialogues and texts.This short story will take you to some of the hidden gems of Rome, including Testaccio, Ostiense, EUR, Monteverde, and Prati.This book includes: 12 easy-to-read chapters with slow audio narrated by a native speaker (available for free online).12 sets of online flashcards.A bilingual word list at the end of each chapter.Information on relevant vocabulary, grammar, and common mistakes made by English speakers when learning and speaking Italian.Interesting facts about the Italian capital.Dialogues and experiences you might encounter in Rome.Review questions to test your comprehension at the end of each chapter. How to Make the Most of These Easy-Readers Repetition, Repetition, Repetition Scientists say you need to use a new word at least seven times before really learning it. What does it have to do with my short stories? Reading or listening to something without studying it is the same as consuming rather than acquiring information. Reading a short story or listening to a podcast without studying it is surely a pleasurable activity (just like reading a novel in your native language), but it won't dramatically take your Italian to the next level. In fact, reading or listening to something without studying it is a form of "passive learning."Many students become frustrated with their lack of progress not because they don't study enough but because they don't go over their notes enough.So, what can you do to study smarter?#1: Read and listen to the content several times and take notes on important vocabulary or sentences. Review your notes until you are familiar with using them.#2: Talk about what you read or use the new vocabulary in various contexts. If you're using a tutor, you can simply ask him or her to devote five minutes of yo