Have you ever been in that situation where you are so excited to learn something new, but starting is hard and only after a few days all your enthusiasm is already gone?
If this sounds familiar then keep on reading because we’re gonna give you some tips to learn Italian and, most importantly, not give up after the first couple of days!
By the way, if you are still in doubt if Italian is a useful language to learn, check out our top reason to learn Italian.
So here you are our 10 tips to learn Italian and don’t lose heart.
Tip # 1: DON’T DELAY AND JUST START!
If you’ve already made the decision to learn a new language don’t wait the right moment because it will never come… the best way to learn is just start!
Learning a new language can be intimidating: there is so much to learn, the grammar, the vocabulary, the pronunciation, and so on.
But you don’t need to become fluent in one day … just make the first step and don’t stop!
You can start from the very basics, for example the greetings, how to ask how are you or introduce yourself.
You’ll see that the more you learn the easiest will be to continue. Obstacles are there all along the way, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go ahead on your path.
Tip # 2: DEFINE REALISTIC OBJECTIVES
The first thing to do when you learn something new, whatever it is, is to set your goals.
This step is so important as it gives a clear idea where you are going and it helps with keeping your motivation.
Remember though that your objectives should be REALISTIC!
In fact, there is nothing wrong in having big expectations but, if you set your goals too high, chances are you’ll not not able to make it.
It’s better to have small goals and being sure you can achieve them rather then aim for the stars and get lost on the way!
Tip# 3: MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT
Define your timelines and make an actionable PLAN.
This is as important as defining your objectives.
In fact, without a plan, your resolutions remain just an idea of what you want to achieve and you may end up getting lost and eventually give up.
But don’t worry … It’s not that you have to make a plan from now to the end of your days!
Start with short periods of time, like for example a week, so that you know that you can commit to it.
And once you have made your plan, make sure that you stick to it! Make a commitment with yourself and follow your plans without distractions.
It’s not easy and requires a lot of discipline but you can do it!
TIP # 4: DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES
Making mistakes is human, everyone does it and it shouln’t stop you from keep trying.
Especially when you are at the beginning of your learning journey, it happens that you mispronounce a word or that you get confused with the meaning of a sentence or you simply don’t understand what you are asked.
But don’t let these mistakes to stop you.
As embarrassing as it is, just try to laugh at it and don’t see it as an obstacle on your path.
Remember that making mistakes is the best way to learn. After all, if you don’t fall you will never learn how to get up!
TIP # 5: FIND YOUR OWN WAY TO LEARN
When it comes to learn, there are different methods that you can use, but how effective they are depends mainly on you.
In fact, there is not a unique method that suits everybody. We are all different with different personalities, hence we learn differently.
This means that what works for me perfectly may not work for you.
All you need to do is just experiment. Try it out different techniques and see what works better for you.
TIP # 6: CREATE YOUR “VOCABULARY” BOOK
A “vocabulary” book is where you collect all new words and expressions that you learn. It’s a sort of dictionary, but it’s not just a list of words.
There it goes everything that you learn, when you learn it, but in a context and format that makes sense to you. It’s YOUR DICTIONARY.
You can choose the best way to organize it but try to be creative: make drawing, maps, write simple sentences that are relevant to you, attach images, quotes, … there are no limits!
You can keep your vocabulary book digitally or on a paper format, it’s up to up, but make sure to review it periodically so that you can always keep fresh in your mind what you’ve learnt.
This way, you’ll see your vocabulary growing much faster and it will help you to track your progress as well.
TIP # 7: READ ACTIVELY
Reading is fundamental for learning new words, but to have an impact on your learning it should be an “active” reading.
When you read actively means that you really pay attention on what you’re reading and engage with its meaning.
To do so, highlight words or sentence that you are not familiar with, try to focus not only on the meaning of every single word but on the overall context, take notes, make visuals or write down your thoughts.
It takes time to read actively, but it really makes a difference in your progress, especially if you are a beginner. When you’re more advanced in the language, then you can also read passively and it will still be beneficial.
Whatever it is what you read, though, make sure that is right for your current level and that is a topic that you enjoy!
TIP # 8: LISTEN, LISTEN AND LISTEN!
Listening doesn’t only improve your comprehension of the language, but is also at the base of your speaking, so listen anytime you can.
Even if at the beginning you’ll not understand 100% (maybe not even 50%!) of what’s said, it doesn’t matter.
Listen to native speakers helps you to get familiar with the sounds and even if you don’t realize it immediately, it will help you a lot with your speaking.
Listen to something that you enjoy, it can be a song, a movie, a cartoon or a video on YouTube … it’s up to you.
If you are a beginner, start with little steps: you can choose a movie (or maybe a cartoon if you want something easier) that you’ve already watched in your native language and switch on the italian sound and subtitles.
Then repeat the same scene multiple times and try to focus on how the words are pronounced, you can even try to read them yourself.
Don’t worry if you only pick up a few words .. the more you listen the more you’ll understand.
TIP # 9: PRACTICE DAILY
Okay, this is the tough part … we are all very busy and it’s not easy to find time, however you don’t have to spend one hour every day practising.
Just few minutes per day can make a huge difference when you sum them up.
There are many ways that you can practice and here you have some examples to keep your italian alive:
- Find someone you can talk to (that’s always the best!)
- Speak aloud, answering to some common questions or talking about some topic you like (possibly recording yourself while doing it)
- Join a community of learners and chat with them whenever you can
- Search for articles on a topic that you are interested in and try to give your contribution with a comment – you can start right now leaving us your comment below!
- Do some exercises, quizzes or reading
- Memorize some scenes of a movie that you really enjoy or a verse of a song and repeat it aloud
- While you are cooking, cleaning or laying on the sofa pick up few objects and say them in Italian
As you can see, there are multiple ways you can make the language part of your daily life without spend long hours studying.
TIP # 10: HAVE FUN!
And lastly but not least, you need to have FUN!
If learning becomes a duty, a second job or something boring, well, the chances are you will give it up!
Learn at your pace without pressure and make sure that you pick activities that you like and learn through your hobbies.
Results are important but if you compromise the enjoyment you will get no results at all!
CONCLUSION
In this article we went through some tips when it comes to learn Italian (or a new language), so let’s summarize them.
TIP #1: DON’T DELAY AND JUST START
Starting is always hard, but delaying doesn’t make it easier!
So, once you have made the decision, don’t wait for the right moment because it will never come.
TIP #2: DEFINE REALISTIC OBJECTIVES
Define your goals so that you know exactly where you heading to.
Make sure that your objectives are realistic otherwise it will be hard to achieve them.
TIP # 3: MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT
Now that you’ve defined your goals, make a plan and stick to it.
Don’t worry if you don’t get your plan right at the first attempt: simply revisit it and make adjustments.
TIP # 4: DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES
It can be embarassing at the beginning, but don’t worry.
Everybody has been a beginner, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Just learn from your mistakes and go on.
TIP # 5: FIND YOUR OWN WAY TO LEARN
There are different techniques that you can use to learn.
Try to experiment and find the ones that works for you the best.
TIP # 6: CREATE YOUR “VOCABULARY” BOOK
Here is where you write everything you learn so that you can then review it on a regular basis.
You can be creative and organize it as you wish.
TIP # 7: READ ACTIVELY
Read is very important when you learn a language, but make sure that you read actively and you will see improvements very fast.
TIP # 8: LISTEN, LISTEN AND LISTEN!
We all already know that listen is fundamental.
Choose something that is right for your level and listen whenever you can.
TIP # 9: PRACTICE DAILY
There are many ways that you can practise even if you don’t live in Italy or don’t have a mate to learn with.
TIP # 10: HAVE FUN!
That is the most important of all! Find a way to make the learning process enjoyable so that you’ll more likely to commit long term.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this article and that you’ll apply these tips to your learning.
Please let us know what you think in the comments below 🙂
A presto!