Italian culture, history, and cuisine fascinate many people. Perhaps you are one of them, and you dream about experiencing la dolce vita with more language skills but can’t or don’t want to enroll in an Italian course. The good news is Italian is a relatively easy language to learn, and you can do it by yourself. If you’re interested in learning Italian by yourself, there are several effective strategies you can employ to make the process enjoyable and effective.
Set Clear Objectives
Whichever language you start to study, you should create clear objectives. Try to make them smaller. If you create a big goal such as learning communicative Italian by the summer trip, you might feel overwhelmed or start procrastinating. Instead, divide your goals into smaller sectors, such as: going through food vocabulary by the end of the week, writing a letter in Italian in three days, and so on. By doing so, you not only create a studying plan but also keep yourself motivated. When you achieve these small goals, you will feel that you are progressing, and that is a very rewarding feeling.
Find Good Resources to Study
Finding good resources for studying a language is the key to success. Gather quality learning materials such as textbooks, grammar guides, dictionaries, and online resources like The Intrepid Guide. Check if the resources you choose cater to the needs of self-study. It’s good if resources have audio or video components to practice pronunciation and listening skills.
You can also use interactive ways to learn Italian. Language apps are a great choice because you can use them anywhere, even if you have a small amount of time, for example, while waiting in line in a shop. Nowadays, there is a huge choice of learning applications. Some of the best apps to learn Italian include Rocket Languages, Babbel, and Pimsleur.
Immerse Yourself in the Language
Once you get a grip on basic vocabulary, you should immerse yourself in the Italian language as much as possible. One of the most amazing experiences would be ordering coffee by a canal in Venice and listening to passersby in less touristy nooks in Rome. However, if you haven’t planned your Italian trip yet, you can still immerse yourself in the language by listening to Italian music, watching Italian content creators on Instagram, or reading Italian novels.
By immersing in the language, you not only significantly improve your language skills but also build a better understanding of a whole culture, various traditions, and nuances of the language.
Practice All Sides of the Language
Students tend to practice things that are easier for them more. For example, if you are good at reading Italian, you might be more prone to read articles instead of trying conversation. However, it’s crucial for your development to practice all aspects of the language. Listening, reading, and speaking are equally important. Be sure to practice vocabulary, sentence building, as well as a bit of grammar.
Practice Speaking with a Friend
You don’t need a tutor to practice speaking in Italian. You don’t even need a person who understands this language. While having a conversation with someone might be more beneficial and help you improve your speaking skills faster, you should try using the language at any given opportunity. Even when talking to a friend, you practice your speech apparatus and you can get used to the sound of your voice in a foreign language.