by Olly Richards
With the help of YouTube, you can learn Italian or any other language you can think of.
You can become fluent in Italian more quickly when watching videos and later polish your skills in the real world. So then, there’s nothing left to do but head to some of the best Italian YouTube channels and start learning, right?
Well, almost. Because even learning Italian online comes with its own challenges — there seems to be no end to the Italian YouTubers you can choose to watch videos from. They all feel different but similar enough so you’re confused about the best option.
But don’t worry, I'm here to help! Below, you’ll find a list of the best YouTube channels to learn Italian, a description of their teaching style, and the pros and cons of choosing each one.
By the way, if you want to Italian through stories, not rules then you're going to love Italian Uncovered, which teaches you through StoryLearning®. Click here to find out more and try out the method for free.
Learn Italian On Youtube: 12 Top Italian YouTube Channels
In the first part of this guide to learning Italian on YouTube, you'll discover some of the best Italian teachers on YouTube as well as the best language school channels.
These channels will teach you the basics of the Italian language as well as aspects of the culture of the country.
A note before you read on: some of these channels have Italian subtitles already embedded into their videos. But for those that don’t, turning them on may be useful.
While the subtitles don’t work perfectly all of the time, they are a great help in developing a feel for the language when it’s written vs. when it’s spoken.
So, then, let’s see the best channels to learn Italian on YouTube.
For a video version of this post, as well as some more Italian YouTube channel suggestions, hit play on the video below. Otherwise, keep scrolling to discover the Italian YouTubers and a sample video from each of their channels!
#1. Italian Bites
Italian Bites is easily one of the best and most engaging Italian learning channels you’ll find on YouTube. This channel is run by my good friend Martina Scattolin, a truly incredible Italian teacher.
When I was learning Italian, I took lessons with Martina myself and she was so good that I also asked her to work with me on my beginner Italian course, Italian Uncovered.
On the ItalianBites YouTube Channel, Martina will take you on a journey through Italian culture, history, food, traditions, and art in her engaging video lessons. As she says herself… “Italian is not just a language, it’s a way of life”.
So if you’re interested in immersing yourself in Italian culture, as well as improving your language skills, this is an Italian YouTube channel you won’t want to miss!
Check out the Italian Bites YouTube Channel.
Or check out more of Martina’s teaching in Italian Uncovered.
#2 ItalianPod101
The classic and perhaps the best-known “language school” on YouTube, Pod101 lessons are available for a massive number of languages, and so too for Italian.
Here, you can learn Italian in a similar way you would from a book, through in-person lessons, or Rosetta Stone.
Lessons start with the most basic of things, such as learning to count to ten, or how to ask people for directions, before going into more detail on the structure, grammar, and vocabulary of the language.
All pod101 language students can make use of an online platform with a variety of free lessons and the option to choose a paid course that goes into even more detail.
Suitable for learning at any stage, these lessons are great for those who are just starting out, since the lessons cover a whole lot of ground right from the very beginnings of learning in a straightforward, simple way.
#3 Learn Italian With Lucrezia
One of the very best online teachers of Italian, Lucrezia offers a personal touch that is very different from dry, repetitive lessons.
Bubbly, articulate, personable, and skilled, Lucrezia will teach you not only basic Italian, but go into detail about things like Italian dialects, and irregularities, and provide exercises for “homework”.
More than a structured study plan, her videos jump around various subjects. But you can find content about absolutely everything, right from the basics all the way to the most particular rules and particulars of the Italian language.
Lucrezia speaks a beautiful Italian at a leisurely pace. So she’s a breeze to understand. As an added bonus, “Learn Italian With Lucrezia” covers all sorts of topics besides just the language, whether that be the culture, lifestyle, or traditions of Italians like herself.
She also has a serious social media presence and often makes content based on what her viewers tell her they would like to see.
#4 Easy Italian
Easy Italian is a great choice for you if you are someone who likes to learn on the job, so to speak, since it just throws you in the deep water of language assuming that you’ll catch up.
And, trust me, you will! If the pop culture approach of Lucrezia’s channel appeals to you, Easy Italian is going to, as well, since their content also focuses on practical, real aspects of Italian life rather than just Italian grammar rules.
The Italian series of Easy Languages is one of 9 different languages offered by the channel. You can use Easy Languages to learn French, German, Greek, Spanish, and many more languages.
Although it's part of something bigger, the channel still doesn’t feel as standardized as ItalianPod101 does, since the subjects discussed in the videos are so specific to each language.
There are videos on the things Italians never do, what Italian men are like, or Italian ice cream, gelato.
The hosts of the episodes also often take to the streets of Italy, asking locals to share their opinions on a topic or playing out scenes with real Italians.
This is useful as well as practical for you as a learner since it allows you to feel a little bit like you are part of daily life in Italy rather than sitting in a class.
Easy Italian is a great channel if you're already familiar with the basics of Italian and want to learn how to apply your language skills in a more natural way — with slang terms and common phrases, for example. It's also excellent if you learn better in a real-life scenario.
Note that every video on the Easy Italian channel already has subtitles incorporated. So you'll need to switch captions off.
#5 Ouino Italian
Similar to ItalianPod101, Ouino Italian offers an in-depth look at the language, right from the basics. The only difference perhaps is that there is more English used to cover less of Italian, meaning that it really explains everything very, very well.
Best for those who believe that slow and steady wins the race, the channel really looks at the Italian language in an exhaustive way, covering every topic in-depth. And with frequent repetitions.
So, you won’t have trouble remembering yesterday's lesson. Or even what was said two minutes ago, which can be a problem with ItalianPod101, since the pace there is quite a bit faster.
#6 Podcast Italiano
Davide from PodCast Italiano is much like Lucrezia because his lessons give you a sense that you know him personally. For many, learning a new language goes a lot easier if there is something like a personal connection. And Davide is perfect for that.
While he teaches you about Italian irregular verbs or Italian pronouns, you also learn a lot about how he, a typical Italian, lives his life. It's a little less comprehensive than Lucrezia’s channel.
But what sets Podcast Italiano apart is the warmth that comes from someone sharing things about his own life.
Super likable, Davide’s channel is great if you like a personal connection. And don’t insist on following a set study plan.
#7 Learn Italian With Italy Made Easy
Manu at Italy made Easy thinks the best way to learn a language is by having fun. And as it turns out, this is both very Italian and very true. On this channel, you’ll find lessons in vocabulary spiced up with music and dancing. Or little skits to lighten the mood.
Unlike some of the channels mentioned previously, however, the fun here is meant to make learning easier. And there isn’t much of a focus on the host as a person beyond being your teacher.
This is great for people who don’t want to keep it purely educational. But aren’t looking to find out about their teacher’s background or daily life.
Lessons on the channel are all free, of course. But there are occasional paid webinars that take a more profound look at the Italian language.
#8 Italian Mastery
Less polished than other channels on this list, Italian Mastery is the project of Claudio, an Anglo-Italian with a delightful and comforting British accent.
It’s pretty basic, visually speaking: armed with a pen, notepad, whiteboard, and a camera, Claudio will take you through the Italian language. And it will feel like a classmate filling you in on the things you missed at school.
Don’t let the lo-fi fool you: this is very much a serious class. And there is relatively little room for silly antics. This is a channel that goes into great detail regarding the complexities of the Italian language.
So even intermediate speakers can get a run for their money. Except of course that it’s free. Great for those serious learners who don’t mind a no-frills approach.
A similar channel in terms of feel but with an American teacher is Weila Tom, more than worth checking out, as well.
Learn Italian On Youtube With Italian YouTubers
Now you've seen the best YouTube Italian teachers, let’s look at a more indirect way to learn. Following content creators outside of the realm of language teaching.
Watching the below channels will give you the kind of knowledge of Italian that sneaks up on you rather than being hard-earned, which is always great.
And besides, you can develop an ear for the way Italian is used in “real life,” when proper, audible enunciation isn’t the main goal. This will help you get comfortable speaking way faster than a language school alone would.
#9 Marco In A Box
This channel is about everything Italian: culture, history, lifestyle, food, and even a whole lot of linguistics. And answers to questions about all of these you never knew you had.
Marco is the first Italian YouTuber you should follow. He speaks English in his videos, complete with an adorable Italian accent. And his videos are a fun thing to watch on a break from studying.
#10 ClioMakeUp
This New York-based Italian makeup artist talks fast and mumbles. Watch a few tutorials and see your language – and makeup skills – improve.
A quirky Italian girl on the loose in an American metropolis, Clio will steal her way into your heart. Even if, at first, you don’t understand a thing she says.
#11 Yotobi
Yotobi, that is Karim Musa, is a likable, hilarious, neurotic mess, who has become something like the Italian Pewdiepie.
On his channel, you can find everything from film reviews to just all-out silly satire. And his exaggerated speech has the added benefit of being really very easy to understand. Even if he speaks a pretty fast and very, very informal Italian.
If you’re ok with a smattering of adult language and drama, this channel is a hilarious way to brush up on your comprehension. And learn some slang in the meantime.
#12 Tia Taylor
American transplant Tia Taylor is great for those just starting out with Italian. She has content in both languages. And an adorable American accent on the edges of her Italian, which she speaks with confidence and skill.
Tia should be an inspiration to everyone trying to learn a new language. And will certainly help you get more comfortable with your own Italian. Her videos are mostly about her life in Milano and her opinions on Italian culture.
Learn Italian On YouTube
So there you have it – all the YouTube channels and Italian videos you need to learn Italian on YouTube.
Whether you prefer something slow and structured, or a deep dive into the culture, you've got everything you need to start learning Italian for free from home.
These YouTube videos are a great way to immerse yourself in the language, without getting hung up on grammar and vocabulary details. Especially the videos that are 100% in Italian.
In fact, that's exactly what I did when I learned Italian from home in 3 months. I immersed myself daily in Italian material that interested me.
That way, I picked up the grammar and vocabulary that I needed in a natural, organic way, without spending hours doing textbook or grammar exercises. This is how the StoryLearning® method works.
So why not try that immersion method yourself with these Italian YouTube channels?
