I'd like to add passive listening to the mix - I have dyslexia and I need to use a variety of approaches and listening without pressure of translating is very useful, you really get the cadence of Italian - thank you for you very detailed suggestions 😎
Yes, absolutely! I didn't mention it because I assumed most learners also do that—but of course we should never assume. No better way to tune your ear than focusing purely on sound. Thanks for reading and for your suggestion!
Excellent post. I sent it to a friend who is learning on Duolingo and is not learning a lot. I find myself being sent back to language classes and using the same techniques I observed as a student to help teach him Italian. "What is impure S and Z?"
Thank you so much! What a ton of helpful information! I am slowly working my way though A1 Italian in the hopes that I can at least try to order food/drinks in Italian and maybe even have a very basic, short conversation with people I come into contact with while I’m visiting Italy again this fall. Your post has given me the motivation I need to keep at it!
Whew! that's quite a compendium of amazing info, ms. topo gigio. saw an american woman who married an ita. officer and moved to so. ita. she was left to learn at his g'ma's home as he was on assignment for a while. the entire house was covered in postit notes identifying...everything. wonderful. that access re family immersion, then his return made it doubly easy/ier. they had a fam, she opened a properous biz, and made global contacts and that amazed me. i admire you both.
Grazie! I really appreciate the time you’ve put into this, it is very helpful and motivating. Learning Italian is frustrating, I’ve been trying for 10 years but never other than solo which is clearly the problem. Mainly with Duolingo which I no longer like since it went to the so-called learning path that removed the flexibility to go back and forth. For me my comprehension of speech is way behind my reading and speaking. The words come too fast. Perché sono troppo vecchio! You have given me new resources and motivation.
Prego, I hope you persist and that some of these suggestions work for you. I was at a picnic last night and noticed how everyone was easy to understand—but then I can run into someone on the street and find them unintelligible! You’ll get there, just keep tuning your ear with lots of variety.
Wow, you spent some time on this one! Thanks! Being in Italy for 6 months didn’t help me but I don’t think anything will😊. Two points: 1. I still marvel at our ancestors who came to America and learned a language with any grammaticale assistance, I hate grammar, and 2. you alway hear how difficult it is to learn English, especially for people who are fluent in a romantic language. I would offer the opposite is also true and trying to learn a romantic language when English is your first language is also more difficult than trying to learn Italian if you’re fluent in Spanish for example. I have given up so many times I can’t count them anymore.
Ottimi consigli, utilissimi per l’apprendimento di qualsiasi lingua. Proverò a seguirli per il mio studio dell’inglese che va sempre troppo a rilento. Grazie!
What can frustrate many people is that they will embarrass themselves if they aren't perfectly fluent. Its not really necessary. Most Italians will work out what you are saying.
I use a simple work-around to avoid worrying about the various conguations of verbs. I preface the statement or question with a time reference. Such as "Ieri sera..." "Prossima settimana..." or "Questo inverno..."
I was very pleased and honored to learn that the regional cultural commission recommended it for purchase by all libraries.
Italians recognize me from a TV interview and stop me on the street to say how much they are enjoying it. An Italian author gave me a very gracious compliment. She said it demonstrates a "gentle humor."
Ten years ago I would never have dreamt that I would contribute to Italy's literary patrimony.
Great article. It doesn’t only help Italian learners but can be applied to language learning in general. I’m always in contact with foreigners who gladly dive into my language, and when I realize they would love to speak let’s say more perfectly, I see myself with my struggles in German, English or Spanish. Pity I have no pet, because I would talk to them 🤩
Grazie mille! Le frasi con il gatto e il topo sono i megliori che ho trovato!
D’accordo, un esercizio molto utile!
Sei un tesoro 🥹
Grazie, troppo gentile 😊
This is AMAZING. I am beyond impressed and appreciative, Cheryl.
Aw, gosh, thank you!
I'd like to add passive listening to the mix - I have dyslexia and I need to use a variety of approaches and listening without pressure of translating is very useful, you really get the cadence of Italian - thank you for you very detailed suggestions 😎
Yes, absolutely! I didn't mention it because I assumed most learners also do that—but of course we should never assume. No better way to tune your ear than focusing purely on sound. Thanks for reading and for your suggestion!
Excellent post. I sent it to a friend who is learning on Duolingo and is not learning a lot. I find myself being sent back to language classes and using the same techniques I observed as a student to help teach him Italian. "What is impure S and Z?"
I also came across https://www.instagram.com/funandeasyitalian/, the instructor is very droll.
Thank you! I’ll check out that Instagram.
Such a great post! 🫶🏼
Thank you so much, Nicole!
Thank you so much! What a ton of helpful information! I am slowly working my way though A1 Italian in the hopes that I can at least try to order food/drinks in Italian and maybe even have a very basic, short conversation with people I come into contact with while I’m visiting Italy again this fall. Your post has given me the motivation I need to keep at it!
Yay, score one for motivation! I hope you have a fantastic time on your trip!
Whew! that's quite a compendium of amazing info, ms. topo gigio. saw an american woman who married an ita. officer and moved to so. ita. she was left to learn at his g'ma's home as he was on assignment for a while. the entire house was covered in postit notes identifying...everything. wonderful. that access re family immersion, then his return made it doubly easy/ier. they had a fam, she opened a properous biz, and made global contacts and that amazed me. i admire you both.
Thank you so much!
Grazie! I really appreciate the time you’ve put into this, it is very helpful and motivating. Learning Italian is frustrating, I’ve been trying for 10 years but never other than solo which is clearly the problem. Mainly with Duolingo which I no longer like since it went to the so-called learning path that removed the flexibility to go back and forth. For me my comprehension of speech is way behind my reading and speaking. The words come too fast. Perché sono troppo vecchio! You have given me new resources and motivation.
Prego, I hope you persist and that some of these suggestions work for you. I was at a picnic last night and noticed how everyone was easy to understand—but then I can run into someone on the street and find them unintelligible! You’ll get there, just keep tuning your ear with lots of variety.
Wow, you spent some time on this one! Thanks! Being in Italy for 6 months didn’t help me but I don’t think anything will😊. Two points: 1. I still marvel at our ancestors who came to America and learned a language with any grammaticale assistance, I hate grammar, and 2. you alway hear how difficult it is to learn English, especially for people who are fluent in a romantic language. I would offer the opposite is also true and trying to learn a romantic language when English is your first language is also more difficult than trying to learn Italian if you’re fluent in Spanish for example. I have given up so many times I can’t count them anymore.
Keep failing, just fail better! Meaning don’t give up! Yes, our ancestors were hella brave!
Ottimi consigli, utilissimi per l’apprendimento di qualsiasi lingua. Proverò a seguirli per il mio studio dell’inglese che va sempre troppo a rilento. Grazie!
Grazie, in bocca al lupo per i tuoi studi!
¡Muchas gracias, Cheryl, por otro cuento informativo y divertido! You are helping me to be brave!
Figurati, sono contenta di aiutarti! Go on and be brave!
To add a couple of things:
What can frustrate many people is that they will embarrass themselves if they aren't perfectly fluent. Its not really necessary. Most Italians will work out what you are saying.
I use a simple work-around to avoid worrying about the various conguations of verbs. I preface the statement or question with a time reference. Such as "Ieri sera..." "Prossima settimana..." or "Questo inverno..."
Yep, I said that about being embarrassed. And sure, you can time-stamp what you’re saying if you can’t conjugate the verb.
Btw, Mark, I'm reading your lovely book; it's perfect for my daily read-Italian-aloud practice!
Thank you, Cheryl, for the very kind words.
I was very pleased and honored to learn that the regional cultural commission recommended it for purchase by all libraries.
Italians recognize me from a TV interview and stop me on the street to say how much they are enjoying it. An Italian author gave me a very gracious compliment. She said it demonstrates a "gentle humor."
Ten years ago I would never have dreamt that I would contribute to Italy's literary patrimony.
Thank you so much, Natalia, for reading and restacking. Wishing you the best with whatever language adventure you’re on!
Great article. It doesn’t only help Italian learners but can be applied to language learning in general. I’m always in contact with foreigners who gladly dive into my language, and when I realize they would love to speak let’s say more perfectly, I see myself with my struggles in German, English or Spanish. Pity I have no pet, because I would talk to them 🤩
Grazie Michele! Apprezzo il tuo commento del passato remoto. È molto importante imparare la lingua quotidiana dove abiti, giusto?