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On Track Episode 2: two teams race from Milan into Switzerland

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On Track Episode 2: two teams race from Milan into Switzerland

Four Coffee Break language experts, two teams, and a five-day race across Europe by train. In Episode 2 the teams leave Milan and cross the border into Switzerland, heading for Lugano, where the language is still Italian.

New to On Track? The race began in Venice: watch Episode 1 first.

How the race works

At every stop: language challenges. In this episode the teams guess the height of Milan’s Duomo, write an opera outside La Scala and act out William Tell in Italian.
Before every journey: coins for the next ticket. Every challenge is worth coins, and coins buy the ticket to the next destination.
At the end of every day: a race to the finish line. The team with the most wins over the five days takes the overall title.

Team Green is Francesca from Coffee Break Italian and Pablo from Coffee Break Spanish. Team Blue is Max from Coffee Break French and Thomas from Coffee Break German. Mark sends the teams off each morning and waits for them at the finish line.

A little language from day two

  • Anche questa borsa è marrone. This bag is brown too. From the hunt for ten handbags in the Galleria. Marrone is the same for masculine and feminine nouns, so it’s una borsa marrone and un cappello marrone.
  • Mi piace il tuo stile. I like your style. A compliment in the same challenge, and a handy one to borrow.
  • Nel lago ci sono molte barche. There are lots of boats on the lake. From the drawing challenge at Lake Lugano, along with onde (waves) and barche a vela (sailing boats).

The companion podcast

After each episode, one of the teams tells the story of that day in their own language, in a short text written for learners. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again. Each one comes with a free handout. Watch the episode first, because there are spoilers!

Keep going

Episode 3 is on YouTube next Sunday at 5pm UK. Can’t wait that long? It’s already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Want to learn alongside the teams? The On Track companion courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish follow the race stop by stop, and everything about the series is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 2 (Deutsch) | Mailand

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German podcast: Thomas's day two in Milan

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 2: the second day of the race, starting in Milan. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Missed the last one? Episode 1 of the companion podcast: Thomas’s day one, in Venice.

Thomas tells the story of day two from Team Blue’s side, in a short German text written for learners. The day starts in Milan, with a bit of luck and a few embarrassing moments on the way to the station. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Look out for separable verbs: vorankommen becomes kamen wir zügig voran, aufgeben becomes gaben nicht auf, with the little word at the end of the clause. And there’s jemandem unter die Arme greifen, to help someone out.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break German podcast feed on On Track Episode 2 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 2 (italiano) | Milano

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Italian podcast: Francesca's day two in Milan

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 2: the second day of the race, starting in Milan. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Missed the last one? Episode 1 of the companion podcast: Francesca’s day one, in Venice.

Francesca tells the story of day two from Team Green’s side, in a short Italian text written for learners. In Milan there’s a race through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and an opera performed right outside La Scala. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Francesca says penso che per Pablo sia stato interessante: after penso che, I think that, Italian uses the subjunctive, so it’s sia stato, not è stato. For a simple opinion she also uses secondo me, in my opinion, which takes the ordinary verb.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break Italian podcast feed on On Track Episode 2 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 2 (español) | Milán

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Spanish podcast: Pablo's day two in Milan

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 2: the second day of the race, starting in Milan. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Missed the last one? Episode 1 of the companion podcast: Pablo’s day one, in Venice.

Pablo tells the story of day two from Team Green’s side, in a short Spanish text written for learners. In Milan the teams have four minutes to find ten handbags in a packed Galleria, then write a short play outside La Scala. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Pablo uses parecer pan comido, to look like a piece of cake, and sacarse la espina, literally to pull the thorn out: it’s what you do when you put right a disappointment that’s been nagging at you.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break Spanish podcast feed on On Track Episode 2 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 2 (français) | Milan

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French podcast: Max's day two in Milan

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 2: the second day of the race, starting in Milan. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Missed the last one? Episode 1 of the companion podcast: Max’s day one, in Venice.

Max tells the story of day two from Team Blue’s side, in a short French text written for learners. It starts with a challenge worth plenty of coins, right on the Piazza del Duomo in Milan. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Max says on a démarré en fanfare, we got off to a flying start. And there’s s’en sortir, to cope or to pull through, which you’ll hear all the time in everyday French.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break French podcast feed on On Track Episode 2 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Episode 1: two teams race across Italy by train

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On Track Episode 1: two teams race across Italy by train

Four Coffee Break language experts, two teams, and a five-day race across Europe by train. In Episode 1 the race starts in Venice, and the language changes as the teams travel.

Next: Episode 2 is out now, as the race leaves Milan and crosses into Switzerland.

How the race works

At every stop: language challenges. In this episode the teams order coffee in ten languages and take on a tongue twister.
Before every journey: coins for the next ticket. Every challenge is worth coins, and coins buy the ticket to the next destination.
At the end of every day: a race to the finish line. The team with the most wins over the five days takes the overall title.

Team Green is Francesca from Coffee Break Italian and Pablo from Coffee Break Spanish. Team Blue is Max from Coffee Break French and Thomas from Coffee Break German. Mark sends the teams off each morning and waits for them at the finish line.

A little language from day one

  • Ganz ehrlich? Ein bisschen nervös. Honestly? A bit nervous. Thomas, in German, before the race starts.
  • Fammi fare bella figura. Make me look good. Francesca to Pablo, after he tells her she was the best teacher he ever had. Fare bella figura means making a good impression and doing something well, with a bit of style.
  • Doppio, per favore. A double espresso, please. One of the coffee orders in the ten-language challenge.

The companion podcast

After each episode, one of the teams tells the story of that day in their own language, in a short text written for learners. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again. Each one comes with a free handout. Watch the episode first, because there are spoilers!

Keep going

Episode 2 is out now, and there’s a new episode on YouTube every Sunday at 5pm UK. Can’t wait that long? Coffee Break TV is a week ahead, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Want to learn alongside the teams? The On Track companion courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish follow the race stop by stop, and everything about the series is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 1 (Deutsch) | Venedig

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German podcast: Thomas's day one in Venice

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 1: the first day of the race, starting in Venice. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Next: Episode 2 of the companion podcast, with Thomas’s day two, starting in Milan.

Thomas tells the story of day one from Team Blue’s side, in a short German text written for learners. It starts with nerves in Venice, and coins to earn before the team can buy a train ticket. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Thomas writes in the simple past, which is normal for a written story. Telling the same story out loud, most German speakers would switch to the perfect. And there’s keine Ahnung haben, to have no idea, which you’ll hear everywhere.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break German podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch On Track

If you haven’t seen it yet, On Track Episode 1 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Next up: On Track Episode 2 is out now. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 1 (italiano) | Venezia

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Italian podcast: Francesca's day one in Venice

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 1: the first day of the race, starting in Venice. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Next: Episode 2 of the companion podcast, with Francesca’s day two, starting in Milan.

Francesca is on home ground for day one, and she tells the story from Team Green’s side in a short Italian text written for learners: Venetian masks with secret lives, and a tongue twister. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Francesca uses che with an adjective to say how…!, as in che bello! and che creativo!, and it works with almost any adjective. Then there’s un sacco, which you’ll hear all the time in everyday Italian.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break Italian podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch On Track

If you haven’t seen it yet, On Track Episode 1 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Next up: On Track Episode 2 is out now. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 1 (español) | Venecia

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Spanish podcast: Pablo's day one in Venice

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 1: the first day of the race, starting in Venice. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Next: Episode 2 of the companion podcast, with Pablo’s day two, starting in Milan.

Pablo tells the story of day one from Team Green’s side, in a short Spanish text written for learners. In Venice the teams had to find three masks and invent a character for each one, secret included. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Pablo uses coger for catching a train, which is completely normal in Spain. In much of Latin America you’ll hear tomar instead. Look out for dar rienda suelta a as well, to give free rein to.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break Spanish podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch On Track

If you haven’t seen it yet, On Track Episode 1 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Next up: On Track Episode 2 is out now. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.

On Track Companion Podcast, Episode 1 (français) | Venise

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French podcast: Max's day one in Venice

This is the companion podcast to On Track Episode 1: the first day of the race, starting in Venice. The episode itself is on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, and it’s best to watch that first. We talk about how the day went, so be aware there will be spoilers!

Next: Episode 2 of the companion podcast, with Max’s day two, starting in Milan.

Max tells the story of day one from Team Blue’s side, in a short French text written for learners. We read it through, talk about the language in it, then read it again, so by the end you’ll understand every word.

Max uses on rather than nous all the way through, which is how most French speakers say we in everyday conversation. There are a couple of phrases worth taking on your own travels too, like avoir hâte de and rattraper son retard.

Listen to the podcast

You’ll also find it in the Coffee Break French podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch On Track

If you haven’t seen it yet, On Track Episode 1 is free to watch on the Coffee Break Languages YouTube channel, with a new episode every Sunday. Next up: On Track Episode 2 is out now. Can’t wait a week? Episode 3 is already on Coffee Break TV, and you get 20% off with the code ONTRACK20: pick your language and the code is applied for you.

Everything about the series, including the On Track Companion Courses, is on the On Track page.

On Track is brought to you in collaboration with Teachable. The On Track companion courses are hosted on Teachable. Future course creator? Find out more here.