You've taken your Italian lessons, you've memorized your vocabulary, you've practiced all your most useful phrases. Then you get to Italy...and it all flies out the window. It's a common problem that many language-learners face. But how to get around it? Why can speaking to an Italian in Italy be so much harder than speaking in a classroom setting? Today we are joined by someone who can help with that. Gloria Spagnoli is an Italian teacher who takes a different approach. She has come to understand that language learning is not just about having the vocabulary and grammar. All of that is vital of course, but so is having the right mind set. So often, hesitation, negative self talk, and fear of looking ridiculous can sabotage our language efforts. Gloria offers practical steps to get beyond these hindrances and make use of our true abilities—which might be stronger than we think! We also talk about the innate Italian traits that can sometimes make it intimidating to dive into a conversation, and how to turn them to your advantage. Find out more about Gloria and her lessons and culture consulting services on her website, Speakita. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!