Last Friday, Prof. Rovedatti’s Year 9 Italian students took part in a delicious cultural activity exploring one of the parts of everyday life in Italy: la colazione — the Italian breakfast.

Students have learnt that mornings begin with something small, light, and often sweet, usually a fresh pastry, such as a cornetto — similar to a croissant but softer and often filled with jam, chocolate, or custard. Students had the chance to try their own cornetto, learning the vocabulary for various fillings and even how to order one like a local. Prof. Rovedatti also baked a ciambella a typical, rustic, simple cake eaten at breakfast using his Nonna’s recipe.

At breakfast Italians almost always enjoy a warm drink, most commonly a caffè or cappuccino. Students explored the cultural importance of coffee in Italian daily life and discovered why cappuccino is considered a “breakfast-only” drink in Italy.

Italian colazione is about simplicity and routine. Italians typically eat something small at home or, more commonly, stop by the local bar — not a pub, but a café — on the way to school or work. Here, they stand at the counter, chat with the barista, and enjoy a quick bite before heading out to begin the day. Students practised real-life conversational language such as Cosa prendi? “What would you like?” Vorrei un cornetto, per favore “I would like a pastry please.”

Buon appetito!

Mr John Rovedatti
Italian Teacher