One of the questions I often get, from Italians and English-speakers both, is “did you speak Italian before moving to Italy?” The answer is both yes and no.
Yes, I spoke some Italian. I had been studying Italian on my own for a year or so with the help of CD courses, etc. I could order in a restaurant, make my needs or wishes known to others and hold a stilted conversation. But, I was not up to the level of all day Italian immersion.
There’s a reason why you see foreign language immersion classes so often and the reason is because it works and it works quickly. The fastest way to learn a language is to be immersed in it and have to speak it. You may not have that opportunity, but don’t think that that doesn’t mean you can’t still learn a language. The important thing is to get started. In any event, before you immerse yourself, you should be sure to get some of the basics under your belt.
Many of us make the mistake, when learning a language of not using it. It’s relatively easy to learn lists of vocabulary and grammar rules, but when it comes to having a real conversation with people who are talking a mile or minute, then it gets a lot more difficult.
But, don’t despair. If you’ve been trying to learn a language and don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere, or want to learn and don’t know where to start, here are a few hints from someone who learned a language in school as well as learning on their own. (I learned Spanish in school and have a degree in French. But Italian I learned on my own. Eventually I want to learn another language or two, when I’ve got some time. Actually, I had started learning Greek before I moved over here, but once I got here my focus was on Italian.)
Anyway, to get started, I would suggest seeing what’s available to you. If you’re brand new at it, make sure you start off with a beginner course. Personally, I can’t say enough about Rosetta Stone for someone who is just starting out. It helps you learn by associating the word with a picture and gradually adds more and more on top of what you’ve already learned. It’s one of the tools I used in Italian. It is a bit pricey though.
Whether or not you are using Rosetta Stone, look around for classes in your area. If you live in a well-populated area, this may be easy, if not, you may have difficulty finding one. I will be honest though and tell you that most adult courses are very light. You may have class once a week with about 10 minutes of homework. At that rate it may take you 20 years to get to a fluency level. But, the opportunity to hear the language and speak it is essential. So, take advantage of a class if you can find one, but keep learning on your own as well.
Basically what you want to do is get yourself as much contact with the language as possible. But, it’s all going to be up to you and how committed you are to doing it. Just like anything else - an exercise program, a hobby, etc. - it takes a personal commitment.
The next step, get on line, go to Google and type in “learning Italian” (German, French, Japanese, or whatever language it is that you want to learn). You’ll find lots of pages that offer free lessons over the internet along with some paying sites. Some of the sites offer daily or weekly email newsletters with vocabulary. Pick a few and sign up for them. You’ll get a few new vocabulary words once in a while. Also, pick some of the free online classes and do those when you have some time. Try to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to learning the language. The more time you can dedicate to it, the better.
Of course, the key to being able to converse is to know the vocabulary. So, the more words you can learn, the better. The other key is to learn verbs and their conjugations. But, start out simply, with present tense, before going on to the more difficult things. Try to learn a verb a day and 5 to 10 vocabulary words a day. Even if you’re working, you can still do this exercise. Write the verb conjugation and the vocabulary words along with their English equivalents on a notecard. Throughout the day, whenever you have a few minutes, look over the card and run the words down in your head. Believe me, I did use this method. All it takes is a minute or two a few times throughout the day. In the evening, test yourself on the words and the verb conjugations. If you didn’t remember them, don’t get discouraged, go over them again the next day until you can test yourself and get them right. If you got them all right but one or two, add the ones you missed onto your card for the next day.
Another thing that you can do is make labels for different items throughout your home: refrigerator, drawer, window, door, etc. Every time you have to use the item, say the word to yourself
A good idea is to head to your local book store and see if they have a basic book on learning the language. Most do. Pick a book that looks like it gives you a little bit of everything: vocabulary, grammar, conversation, and reading. Be sure to do the exercises regularly.
Once you’ve got some vocabulary down and have been doing some lessons, the next step is to start using the language. If you can find a local conversation group, that would be a great idea. Again check on the internet for “Italian (or other language” conversation groups”. Another good idea is to have a friend or family member who is also interested in learning the language. Get together every so often and speak in the language. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and, even though at first the conversations will be very simple, keep at it. It will give you valuable practice for later.
Another important thing, start reading. Again, use the internet for free resources or head to your local book store. Many have an international section with books in different languages. In the beginning, it may be slow going and, in fact, the internet may have more simple texts to start out with rather than what you would find at the bookstore. You may have to look up quite a few words, whenever you do, add it to your list of vocabulary words. Remember the index cards? Yep, keep using them as a resource. Once you get more advanced, start reading newspapers in your language of choice.
Use the language as often as you can, even if you are only mentally talking to yourself. By this I mean, as you go along your daily activities, say what you’re doing in your head in the other language. For example, “I’m cooking dinner”, “I want to read the newspaper”, etc. When you’re shopping, think of the word for the item in the other language, or mentally count what you’re buying - two apples, 5 oranges, etc. and think about the prices in the other language. (You may not want to talk to yourself out loud, people might have you committed.)
The next step is obvious, talking to a native. Your first encounter with a native speaker of the language may be a bit discouraging. They may have a different accent than you are used to, or speak a lot faster than you thought. Some of the first things you should have learned is how to say, “I didn’t understand”, “could you repeat that?”, and “Please speak more slowly”.
You’ll find that just about anywhere you go, people will be willing to help and will be pleased that you are learning their language. And yes, sometimes you may say some silly things. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning and still make some now. O has always found it very funny. Especially when I make a masculine noun feminine and vice versa. Those can be pretty embarassing and amusing mistakes. I’ll talk some more about that another time. Most people won’t laugh unless they know you well. But, remember, if they do laugh, they’re not being mean or trying to humiliate you. Learn to laugh at your own mistakes. It’s the best way to learn.
So, good luck to all the language learners out there. I hope I may have inspired some of you to start learning another language and that I didn’t discourage anyone. I know it sounds like a lot of work. But then, anything worth doing takes a little bit of time, doesn’t it?
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