Learning Italian quickly is a challenge worth taking on. I am sure you heard of people selling courses claiming that you can be “fluent” in Italian in three weeks, or even in one week! You know well that these are unrealistic goals. What about three months? Yes, you can definetly learn some aspects of the language in 3 months or even reach some conversational fluency but, because there is no universally agreed-upon definition of “fluency”, everyone can define it as they please.
If you are familiar with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you know that language learning is divided in 6 levels, from the lowest to the highest (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2). To give you an idea, in order to complete A1 level, which is defined as basic user, it takes about 50-70 hours of instruction, depending on the learner’s speed. I will let you do the math to have an idea of what it takes to reach native fluency (C1-C2)! Despite this discouraging fact, if you study everyday for 4 hours a day (maybe not every single day! ;-)), you could complete a level in 3 months or so and acquire some basic Italian conversational skills, which may be enough for your stay in Italy or if you are planning to travel there.
1. Find your motivation: Having a specific goal or purpose for learning Italian will help you stay motivated and focused. Think about why you want to learn Italian and what you plan to do with it.
2. Learn the basics: Start by learning the basics, such as common phrases and grammar. This will help you get a better understanding of the language. You can begin with these topics:
3. Listen and watch: Listen to Italian music, watch Italian movies and TV shows, and listen to Italian-language radio. This will help you get used to hearing the language and how it’s spoken.
4. Immerse yourself: Spend time with native Italian speakers, if possible, to hear the language in conversation. This is the best way to learn quickly and pick up the nuances of the language. If you do not live in Italy or do not have the opportunity to do that, I would recommend our online lessons and courses that can be taken from anywhere in the world.
5. Practice: Practice speaking Italian as much as possible. Start with simple conversations and work your way up to more complex topics. Again, you can use one of our online tutors to practice or find a language pal in one of the Facebook community/Meet up groups. Another very good trick is to record yourself talking (no judgment here!). This is one of the best ways to retain information and practice solo. If you want to learn more about tricks like these, read this blog.
6. Use online resources: Take advantage of online tools such as language-learning apps to learn and practice.
7. Read: Start reading Italian books or newspapers. This will help you learn new vocabulary and practice your reading skills. For beginner-intermediate learners, I would recommend these books.
8. Keep a journal: Use a journal to practice your writing. You can also use it to review new words and keep track of your progress.
9. Have fun: Learning a language should be fun; this is why it is important to pick an activity that you enjoy. If you like cooking, try some Italian recipes, through which you can learn new vocab and verbs. 🙂
By following these tips, and having realistic expectations about the actual time that it takes to learn a language, you’ll be better equipped to look at your life and determine what kind of language goals are most reasonable for you. We are here to support you, in case you would like to give The Languages Corner a try!
Happy language learning!
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