Consigli per imparare l’italiano!
Tips for Learning Italian!
Dear Melissa, I am finding this site at just the right time! I am a true beginner, attempting to learn Italian at age 46. I am about 2 months in and have tried a mix of apps, flashcards, booklets, videos, etc, and, most recently, an Italian tutor through Skype. To get a basic “jump start” and a little confidence, what do you suggest? I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the options! Listening to videos and reading the newspaper is frequently frustrating as I can not understand so much. I would LOVE to do an immersion course. Grazie mille!!!! You are an inspiration.Erica
Cara Erica! Benvenuta alla lingua italiana!
Dear Erica! Welcome to the Italian language!
Sono così contenta di ricevere il tuo messaggio! Benvenuta alla lingua italiana! Oggi, aprendo la mia email, ho trovato la tua lettera sul blog Matta. Mi hai fatto proprio felice! Hai posto delle domande su come un principiante può imparare l’italiano, e mentre preparavo il mio caffè per risponderti direttamente, ho pensato che i miei suggerimenti potrebbero essere utili anche ad altri. Così, ho deciso di condividere con tutti la tua lettera e le mie risposte.
’m so happy to receive your message! Welcome to the Italian language! Today, when I opened my email, I found your letter on the Matta blog. You made my day! You asked some great questions about how a beginner can learn Italian, and while I was making my coffee to reply to you directly, I realized that my advice might also help others. So, I decided to share your letter and my responses with everyone.
Imparare l’italiano: un viaggio, non una meta!
Learning Italian: A Journey, Not a Destination!
Se sei una vera principiante, ricorda che imparare l’italiano è un viaggio e dovresti goderti ogni tappa senza concentrarti troppo sulla meta finale. È normale sentirsi frustrati, soprattutto come adulti, perché vorremmo usare l’italiano subito, come facciamo con l’inglese. Ma, proprio come fanno i bambini, dobbiamo imparare a fare associazioni e memorizzare molte cose nuove.
If you’re a true beginner, remember that learning Italian is a journey, and you should enjoy every step without focusing too much on the final goal. It’s normal to feel frustrated, especially as adults, because we want to use Italian immediately, just as we use English. But, like children, we must learn to make associations and memorize a lot of new things.
Consigli pratici per iniziare
Practical Tips to Get Started
Inizia costruendo il tuo vocabolario con immagini e associazioni. Leggi libri per bambini o testi semplici con cui ti senti a tuo agio. La cosa più importante è essere costanti: dedica ogni giorno un po’ di tempo all’italiano per avvicinarti sempre di più all’Italia!
Start building your vocabulary using images and associations. Read children’s books or simple texts you’re familiar with. The most important thing is to be consistent: do something in Italian every day to bring yourself closer to Italy!
Come immergersi nella lingua italiana a casa
How to Immerse Yourself in Italian at Home
È possibile creare un programma di immersione linguistica anche a casa! Ascolta stazioni radio italiane come RaiPlay Radio 2 o LatteMiele, o guarda film in italiano senza sottotitoli. Non preoccuparti se non capisci tutto subito: abitua l’orecchio ai suoni della lingua. Se usi sottotitoli, scegli quelli in italiano per concentrarti sulle parole italiane, non sull’inglese. Trova un insegnante online per lezioni personalizzate o partecipa a gruppi Meetup per parlare con altre persone che studiano l’italiano. Chatta con un amico in italiano, segui il blog Matta per suggerimenti e ispirazioni, o viaggia in Italia per vivere la lingua immerso nella sua cultura! Unisciti a un club del libro italiano, guarda film italiani e ricorda: la cosa più importante è essere CURIOSI e continuare a imparare e praticare ogni giorno.
It’s possible to create a language immersion program at home! Listen to Italian radio stations like RaiPlay Radio 2 or LatteMiele, or watch Italian movies without subtitles. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything right away—train your ear to the sounds of the language. If you use subtitles, choose Italian ones to focus on Italian words, not English. Find an online teacher for personalized lessons, or join Meetup groups to speak with others learning Italian. Chat with a friend in Italian, follow the Matta blog for tips and inspiration, or travel to Italy to immerse yourself in the language and culture! Join an Italian book club, watch Italian movies, and remember: the most important thing is to be CURIOUS and keep learning and practicing every day.
Divertiti mentre impari!
Have Fun While Learning!
La lingua è interattiva: cerca un gruppo di conversazione o un partner linguistico. Non aver paura di fare errori; anzi, sono la parte migliore dell’apprendimento!
Language is interactive: find a conversation group or a language partner. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re the best part of learning!
Ogni giorno prova a:
Every day, try to
Dire qualcosa in italiano (anche al tuo cane!)
Say something in Italian (even to your dog!)
Leggere qualcosa in italiano
Read something in Italian
Scrivere qualcosa in italiano
Write something in Italian
Ascoltare qualcosa in italiano
Listen to something in Italian
Imparare almeno cinque parole nuove
Learn at least five new words
Unisciti a noi in Italia!
Join Us in Italy!
mi piacerebbe tanto averti in uno dei miei programmi di immersione! È un’esperienza unica parlare e fare amicizia con italiani, anche da principiante.
I’d love to have you join one of my immersion programs! It’s a unique experience to speak and make friends with Italians, even as a beginner.
Be brave! You can do it! And have fun in the process.
Let’s talk about learning Italian with Melissa
Let’s talk about learning Italian in Italy
Take a look at the Studentessa Language Immersion Programs and the
Italian Homestay Language Immersion Vacations offered through the site.
Great post! I agree with all you are saying, Melissa. I wanted to learn Italian to travel, so that is why I created “Conversational Italian for Travelers.” If the vocabulary wasn’t useful, I wasn’t interested in learning it! (No Duo Lingo for me, although it seems like a fun game.) Most of all, I agree with your 5 points. “Learning a language has all the facets you describe and is the most fun when we find something we love doing in that language. My plan:
1.) Say something in Italian – to my children, who never listen to me anyway!
2) read something in Italian – “Oggi” magazine – a picture book for adults!
3) write something in Italian – daily diary with 2 or 3 short sentences to practice past tense
4) Listen to something in Italian – Detective Montalbano and Italian movies for me
5) Learn at least five new words in Italian.
Ciao Melissa!
Grazie mille! I find your enthusiasm and experiences so motivating. My goal will be at home Italian immersion, as much as possible. I’ve already gotten the eye rolls from my 5 year old daughter and she even mumbled under her breath “I will have to live with it….” when I was saying a few things to her in Italian the other day. 🙂 So, I may drive my family slightly nuts, but so be it… They will have to live with it! We are going to Italy in October so maybe they will appreciate someone knowing a little Italian then. 🙂
I ordered a few Italian Richard Scarry books today as well as a text/exercise book my Skype tutor, Maria, recommended. I also stumbled on a podcast called “Coffee Break Italian” which I think will be useful since it’s “hands-free”… I can listen while driving and doing other things around the house (and at work ;)).
I am so excited to have found something which I believe will open up new doors and get my mind focused on something beautiful (instead of being upset about the awful news much of the time).
Buona giornata!
Erica
Cara. Il tuo consiglio e’ perfetto e vero. Practicare ogni giorno e con il tempo grande cose accadano!