How I test and score
I sift through the plethora of language apps, delivering reviews based on deep expertise in language learning and teaching.
My review process starts with an initial walk-through, using the app for at least 15 minutes to capture first impressions and usability.
I then conduct a criteria-based evaluation focusing on key features like spaced repetition, user customization, and the balance between educational content and gamification.
My reviews are thorough, with a scoring system that emphasizes course quality (70%) over user experience (20%) and price (10%).
Importantly, I do not receive payment for these reviews.
Learn more on my review policy and process page.
Summary
Course quality
User experience
Pricing
Pros
- Free service with regular updates.
- Simplified Italian news articles.
- Clear and user-friendly text formatting.
Cons
- No speaking or writing practice.
- Limited to reading and listening exercises.
Best suited for
Beginner to intermediate Italian learners looking to improve reading and listening comprehension.
At a glance
App name
Easy Italian News
Made by
EASY NEWS LLP
User base
Sentiment
- Appreciation for effort and content: Users express gratitude for the effort put into creating the content, recognizing its quality and usefulness.
- Simultaneous Learning: Users value the ability to learn Italian while also engaging with world events, finding it a practical way to improve language skills.
- Manageable Content: The short snippets of news are appreciated for making the content easy to digest and manage.
- Relevance and Applicability: The material is seen as relevant and directly applicable to improving specific language skills, making it a valuable resource.
Concept
Easy Italian News provides a simple method for practicing reading and listening through simplified news articles.
Available on
Web
Levels covered
(A0) Total beginner, (A1) Beginner, (A2) Elementary, (B1) Intermediate
1 languages taught
Italian
Pricing, free trial, refunds
Pricing
Free trial
Refunds
First-hand review
Walk-through
Discovering EasyItalianNews.com: A Tool for Practicing Italian
In this review, we\’re diving into a very interesting tool for language learners, particularly those who are keen on practicing their Italian. It\’s called Easy Italian News, and while it might not be an \”app\” in the conventional sense, it’s a comprehensive website dedicated to helping users improve their reading and listening skills in Italian. Let\’s explore what this service offers and how it can benefit you.
EasyItalianNews is a free service that updates its website with news articles in simplified Italian three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The goal is to present the most important news in a format that\’s easy to understand and follow, making it an excellent resource for beginners and intermediate learners.
Navigating the Website
Upon visiting EasyItalianNews.com for the first time, you’re greeted with the main story of the day, often covering international or national news. The site also showcases various news articles relevant to Italy.
You can also subscribe to receive new editions via email or purchase printable PDFs of the articles.
How to Use the Website
One unique feature of EasyItalianNews is how they format their text. Instead of large blocks, the text is broken into smaller segments, closely mimicking the natural pauses in speech. This method makes it easier for readers to follow along without getting lost, especially if they get momentarily distracted.
The website also provides a guide on how to maximize your practice sessions: 
This progressive approach helps build listening and comprehension skills incrementally.
What to expect
While the website is a fantastic tool for practicing reading and listening, it won\’t make you fluent on its own. Instead, it can be used to supplement other learning methods and help you get more comfortable with the language.
The developers stress the importance of using the site regularly to gain exposure to the language and gradually improve until you can tackle more complex texts and real radio broadcasts.
Final Thoughts
Easy Italian News is an excellent tool for anyone looking to practice and improve their Italian reading and listening skills. While it doesn\’t offer speaking or writing practice, which is crucial for fluency, it excels at what it promises – helping users get a better at comprehension through regular, structured practice.
Whether you\’re learning Italian through a tutor, an app, or on your own, incorporating Easy Italian News into your routine can provide a beneficial and engaging way to enhance your skills.
Features
Spaced repetition
Does the app offer plenty of repetition to acquire vocab and grammar naturally?
Customization
Can users customize settings, interface, content, etc.?
Focus on learning
Is the interface and content focused on the course content instead of fluff and gamification?
Personalization
Are the materials automatically tailored to the user’s profile?
Sentence accuracy
Are sentences free from typos, grammar errors? Do they sound natural?
Sentence relevance
Are sentences realistic and useful?
Variety and depth
Is there enough variety of materials in terms of topics, formats and levels?
Audio quality
Are audio materials easy to listen to in terms of recording quality and speech rate?
Speaker's quality
Do speakers speak correctly, clearly and naturally?
Speaking practice
Does the app offer plenty of speaking practice?
Ease of use
Is the app easy to set up, use and navigate?
Interface and design
Is the user interface neat and visually appealing?
Performance
Does the app load fast? Is it free from glitches and crashes?
Grammar notes
Do the courses come with grammar notes?
Learning path
Do the courses follow a well defined path?
Speech recognition
Does the app recognize user speech?
User-generated courses
Can users actively generate materials from their interests?
Offline access
Are the courses available offline?
Conclusions
Would I take these courses?
I would use this app for consistent reading and listening practice but supplement it with other resources for speaking skills.
How to get the most out of the app
Follow their suggested three-step listening method, gradually reducing reliance on the text to improve comprehension.
Alternatives
Think In Italian is better than Easy Italian News to master Italian
Think In Italian is the only app that gets your to speak Italian all the time. It comes with hundreds of grammar lessons and readings to listen and repeat, plus an AI tutor to review the courses and practice conversation. See the full review.
FAQs
Is Easy Italian News free?
Yes, it's completely free.
Does Easy Italian News offer speaking practice?
No, the focus is on reading and listening.
Does Easy Italian News offer a downloadable version?
Yes, you can purchase a printable PDF.
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Rave Reviews
★★★★★
Rated 4.9/5 based on 170+ reviews
