SIOC Labs · A1–B2 · practical · Italiano

SIOC Labs — Italian

Practical preparation for grammar, useful words and real survival language before and during a study stay abroad.

This is not a tourist phrasebook. It is built for students who need to function at school, in accommodation, at reception, in shops, on transport and when something goes wrong.

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How to use this lab

Use this sequence: listen or read once, speak aloud twice, cover the translation, then adapt the sentence with your own city, school, accommodation and problem. The aim is not perfect grammar first. The aim is controlled survival, then cleaner grammar.

Daily rule: 15 minutes phrases + 15 minutes grammar + 10 minutes writing + one spoken role-play. That is enough to make the first week abroad less stressful.

7-day preparation route

Day 1 — greetings, school reception and personal introduction.
Day 2 — classroom control: repeat, write, explain, correct, slow down.
Day 3 — accommodation: room, key, house rules, meals, laundry, noise.
Day 4 — food, shops and payment: order politely and fix mistakes.
Day 5 — transport: tickets, stops, delays, directions and missed connections.
Day 6 — health, pharmacy, insurance and emergency language.
Day 7 — mixed role-play: one full school day from breakfast to homework.

Core useful words

These are not decorative vocabulary lists. These are the words that appear again and again when students try to solve real problems abroad.

Word / phrase	Meaning	Use it
sì	yes	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
no	no	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
per favore	please	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
grazie	thank you	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
scusi	excuse me	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
oggi	today	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
domani	tomorrow	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ieri	yesterday	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
qui	here	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
lì	there	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
adesso	now	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
dopo	afterwards	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
prima	before	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
sempre	always	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
mai	never	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ho bisogno di	I need	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
vorrei	I would like	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
posso	I can	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ho	I have	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
c’è / ci sono	there is/are	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
lezione	lesson	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
aula	classroom	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
segreteria	reception/office	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
alloggio	accommodation	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
chiave	key	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
biglietto	ticket	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
farmacia	pharmacy	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
assicurazione	insurance	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
stazione	station	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
medico	doctor	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.

Survival language

Memorise these first. They give you control in school, accommodation, public transport, cafés, pharmacies and difficult situations.

Buongiorno, sono nuovo/nuova a scuola.Good morning, I am new at the school.
Può ripetere più lentamente, per favore?Can you repeat more slowly, please?
Come si scrive questa parola?How do you spell this word?
Non ho ancora capito. Può fare un altro esempio?I have not understood yet. Can you give another example?
La chiave della mia stanza non funziona.The key to my room does not work.
Vorrei un cappuccino e qualcosa da mangiare.I would like a cappuccino and something to eat.
Dove posso comprare una tessera per i mezzi?Where can I buy a public transport card?
Mi sono perso/persa. Cerco questo indirizzo.I am lost. I am looking for this address.
Non mi sento bene. C’è una farmacia qui vicino?I do not feel well. Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Potrebbe aiutarmi a chiamare la mia assicurazione?Could you help me call my insurance?

Grammar that unlocks real life

Grammar is useful when it helps you act. Learn these points through real sentences, not as isolated theory.

Grammar key

essere / stare

Essere gives identity and qualities. Stare gives condition and how someone is. Sono studente. Sto bene.

Grammar key

articles

il, lo, la, l’, i, gli, le appear constantly. Learn nouns with the article.

Grammar key

vorrei

Vorrei is the safest polite request form: Vorrei un caffè, per favore.

Grammar key

passato prossimo

Ho studiato, sono arrivato/a, ho perso. This is the daily-life past tense.

Grammar key

prepositions

a, in, da, di, per carry a lot of meaning. Learn them in chunks: a scuola, in centro, da Marco.

Dialogue training

Each dialogue is deliberately short. Your task is to expand it until it feels natural. Add names, times, addresses and city details.

Reception

A: Buongiorno. Sono uno studente nuovo. Dove devo registrarmi?

Good morning. I am a new student. Where do I need to register?