Learning to Speak Italian

Italian is a particularly beautiful language--once you start learning, you'll be hooked. Buona Fortuna!

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Italian-English dictionary
• Italian language textbook
• Italian language CDs or audio tapes
• Italian language pronunciation guide

Learning to Speak Italian

1. Some people learn better aurally, some are more visual learners, so choose materials accordingly. Using a combination of textbooks and CDs can be very effective. You can find used Italian textbooks very inexpensively through college bookstores and online. Or enroll in an Italian class through a local college or language school like Berlitz.

2. Set aside time to study each day, and set reasonable goals. Even learning as few as five new Italian words each day will help you build your vocabulary and put you on the path to fluency.

3. Numbers, days of the week, and basic verb conjugations are among the most important early lessons. Pronunciation is also key. Italian is a highly phonetic language, so once you learn the rules (i.e. "ci" is always pronounced "tchee" as in cheese, "chi" is always pronounced "key"), you'll know how to correctly pronounce just about every Italian word you come across.

4. As your Italian improves, tackle more complex Italian grammar. Find a tutor to guide you through the most complex constructions. Reading Italian newspapers and novels is a great way to broaden your vocabulary and expose yourself to advanced grammar. Listening to Italian music and striving to understand the lyrics will also help you get a feel for the language.

5. Fnd a conversation club in your area to practice your Italian. Better yet, spend some time in Italy to learn the language from native speakers. This will help your pronunciation, too. Italians are thrilled when foreigners try to speak their language, and most will be happy to help you learn.