learning italian in Rome

Linda, Laurel should be able to answer that question for you. Hopefully she'll spot this post.

hi linda brush up before you go-------unless you are specifically going to take a language class--------intermediate level is pretty good-i went to a school in florence for 3 weeks-----much fun and learned a lot however I beleive if I had spent the entire time hanging with all the locals i met I would have done even better. in bocca al lupo!
annette

Ciao Linda. Some of my colleagues have gone to Scuola Leonardo DaVinci and were pleased. Their courses were intense though: more like 6 hours per day. Personally I would not take away from my vacation/travel for language courses. Use Pimsleur to refresh, get a good workbook like "Italian Grammar Drills," and dive in by using your skills with the locals.

With the way the talk in Rome (basically 'Romanesco' dialect), there is no way you are going to learn proper italian there. Go to Tuscany.

Grazie mille tutti! I have begun brushing up and think you are right...my time will be better spent mixing with the locals.
Linda

Simple little Berlitz cd called Rush Hour Italian has helped us quite a bit. We listen to it when in the car going to work etc. Its not too expensive and through their songs and conversations you pick up enough to get by, negotiate with vendors, order dinner, ask directions etc. We used the French one a few years back prior to going to Paris and thought enough of it to get the Italian one. Good Traveling!

Elizabeth, I, too like the Rush Hour tapes and listen to them on the way to and from work for several weeks prior to any visit where Italian or French is spoken. It has been very useful.

i would say listen to some cds in the car or on your iphone a few weeks before going. maybe get a hold of the rosetta stone. they are supposed to be really good.