Italian is a Romance language spoken by 60 million people in Italy and in other areas of the world. There are many regional dialects in Italy, but the Tuscan version of the Italian language is the most commonly spoken. To learn how to speak Italian, start with the alphabet and basic grammar, try to get professional-caliber instruction, and immerse yourself in the language if your goal is to gain fluency.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Learn the Italian alphabet
Most of the letters of the Italian alphabet are shared with the English alphabet, but the pronunciation is different. The letters j (long i), k (hood), w (vi / double vu) x (ics) and y (Greek i) are not part of the Italian alphabet, but are present in foreign words. Practice pronouncing the alphabet in Italian before you start pronouncing whole words.
- A = A
- B = Bi
- C = Ci
- D = Di
- E = E
- F = Effe
- G = Gi
- H = Acca
- I = I.
- L = Elle
- M - Emme
- N = Enne
- O = O
- P = Pi
- Q = Cu
- R = Erre
- S = Esse
- T = Ti
- U = U
- V = Vi / Vu
- Z = Zeta
Step 2. Practice your essential phrases
Learning some basic phrases will help you move around Italy and decide whether to continue studying the language you are interested in. Having a little familiarity with these phrases will also give you an advantage if you decide to start taking Italian lessons. Practice. UYp8Diugmeg by saying these sentences with an Italian accent:
- Good morning ("Hello / Good morning / afternoon")
- Hello ("Hi / Hello / Bye")
- Goodbye ("Goodbye")
- Please / Please ("Please")
- How are you? / How are you? ("How are you?" [Formal / informal])
- I'm fine. ("I am fine / well.")
- Excuse me / Excuse me ("Excuse me" [formal / informal])
- Thank you ("Thank you")
Step 3. Become familiar with grammar and vocabulary
Purchase an Italian - English dictionary and grammar to help you begin to understand how the language is constructed. Memorize some basic vocabulary words and practice saying them out loud and doing grammar exercises until you are able to construct simple sentences.
- Expand your Italian vocabulary by labeling objects in your home with Italian terms and saying them aloud when you pass them.
- Search for additional resources online to help you practice grammar and vocabulary.
Method 2 of 3: Get Professional Guidance
Step 1. Take Italian courses
Enroll at your local university or secondary school in your area. You can also consider courses from a language-oriented school: they often offer intensive programs that are designed to help you learn a foreign language quickly. Also check online for course opportunities, as they are often less expensive than in-person attendance.
- Do your Italian homework. There is no point in attending an Italian course if you don't intend to do all the homework and exercises. It may sound boring, but they are absolutely necessary, as learning a brand new language takes hours and hours of practice.
- Participate in class discussions. Raise your hand often to answer the teacher's questions. Speaking aloud as often as possible and getting feedback on your pronunciation will help you improve much faster than being silent in the back of the classroom.
Step 2. Buy Italian language software
Companies like Rosetta Stone offer programs to help you learn languages quickly and in your own time. These language packs have an audio component so that you can hear the Italian pronunciation and also practice independently. Language programs can be expensive, but you could try to buy a collection of used CDs or share the shopping with a friend who, like you, wants to learn Italian.
Step 3. Get an Italian tutor
Person-to-person guidance is invaluable when it comes to learning a new language. Hire a tutor to help you excel in the classes you are taking. Even if you are not taking lessons, consider meeting a language tutor a few times a week so that he can provide you with the necessary instructions to learn Italian effectively.
- Check your university notice boards to see if graduates or other students proficient in Italian advertise tutoring services. It is also possible that your university's language department also has a list of tutors available for students.
- If you are not enrolled in a university, look online for people who offer tutoring services. Through Skype or other online video programs, you can work with someone who currently resides in Italy.
Method 3 of 3: Immerse yourself in the language
Step 1. Spend time with people who speak Italian
Talk to the students of the more advanced Italian courses or make friends with people who speak it correctly and with ease. Conversing with someone fluent in Italian is the most effective way to improve your language skills: it is impossible to develop this type of skill just by reading a textbook or using other educational resources.
- Start an Italian discussion group that meets a couple of times a week. The goal should be to speak only Italian for an hour or so. You can have everyone discuss a certain topic of conversation or just go with the flow of the discussion.
- Program of outings with those who speak Italian to be able to practice the use of the language in different contexts. For example, you could go to the museum to discuss art in Italian.
- Make sure you speak Italian for at least half an hour a day. Even on days when you are not with your group, make a phone call to an Italian-speaking friend and chat using Italian for half an hour. Meet the Italian teacher during his office hours and discuss the lesson in Italian. Practice as much as you can.
Step 2. Use all Italian media:
books, films, magazines, music. Immersing yourself in the media is a great way to continue improving your skills and helps you achieve a deeper understanding of the Italian language through popular culture and other contexts. Rent Italian movies and watch them with subtitles or even without. Focus on understanding the language - you'll soon be able to figure out what the actors are saying.
Step 3. Study Italian in Italy
If you want to learn how to speak Italian fluently, there is nothing better than going to Italy to study the language for as long as possible. It can take many years to achieve full command, but just staying there for six months to a year will significantly improve your language skills.
- Look for study abroad opportunities offered by your school or university. There may be the possibility of spending a semester or a year of study in Italy.
- If you don't rely on a school, look for new job opportunities in Italy. Foreigners can work abroad through arts programs, organic farming programs and other exciting opportunities.
- When in Italy, speak Italian. Don't gravitate towards the English-speaking foreigners you will inevitably encounter. Many well-meaning Italians may think that you prefer to speak English, but you should politely keep speaking Italian, even if it is difficult at first. With time and practice the tongue will start popping and you will be able to speak fluently.
