Learning Italian- the easy way!

laura,

You might check with your local Library to see if they also offer the Pimsleur Levels I / II / III language series. I've been using them for the last couple of years, and the teaching method seems to work well for me. I try to go through them on a regular basis so that I don't forget the material between trips.

Cheers!

Hi,
I agree with the Pimsleur CDs. I was only able to
get the first 8 lessons on CD at my library.... but they are wonderful. I plan to ask the library if they can order the others for me.
Frances

I don't know if your library carries it, but I found the best to be Rosetta Stone. It is an incredibly easy way to learn another language. If your library has it, give it a try!!!

Mark, could you clarify the format that Rosetta Stone programs use? I've looked at these before and they appear to be strictly PC based, which is a big disadvantage for me as I don't have that much time to sit in front of a computer.

I've found the Pimsleur products to be especially easy to use on a daily basis, as each of the levels can be ordered on a "Bookchip" (basically an SD card) that fits my Palm PDA (or other portable audio device). I can listen to these anywhere, which makes them much more versatile for my lifestyle. There are also CD and possibly Cassette versions of Pimsleur available also.

If any of the group here is interested in having a look at these, check This web site for all the details.

Cheers!

If you want to take your Italian lessons to the next level, I recommend Michel Thomas. He teaches grammar, including verb tenses, without memorization. I know it sounds crazy, but it works.

Sherry,

How would you learn verbs without memorization? Or any part of a language? Those that sell foreign languages learning programs and claim that there is no memorization are big liars IMO. Maybe you can explain to me how that it's possible..just curious...
I'm talking about speaking a language fluently, not just a few sentences.
I speak several languages fluently and all I can tell you is that you have to memorize, especially conjugations. Over time, if you speak the language often enough, words and grammar might come to you "naturally".

I don't know how it works, and it may not work for everyone. All I know is that now I can carry on a conversation in Italian using the present tense, the past tense, the future tense, the conditional, etc. I can make myself understood and I can understand what is said to me.

Even Pimsleur gives some instruction in the conditional tense without relying upon rote memorization.

Maybe it's not so mysterious. After all, children all over Italy learn to speak Italian without memorizing verb conjugations.

Maybe it seems that they don't memorize , but they actually hear the language every day, because it's their native language.When you study a language it's different. You first hear and speak your native language, and you alocate less time for your foreign language.
But I would give it a try to this guy, Thomas.
Thanks. I appreciate your answer.

I used Michel Thomas in 2003 and again in 2008. I think what makes him work so well is he teaches sentence construction versus memorizing important phrases. That is why you can carry on conversations with Italian speakers.(I was doubtful the first time, but his program is very helpful) At least I impressed my brother-in-law and sister while we were there and I had several Italians comment on my Italian, and I only study for a few months before going. They are used to people being able to ask "key" questions and then not being able to decifer the answer. Obviously my skills were limited. Too important phrases I learned were "speak slowly please" and vocabulario limitato (Limited vocabulary) You do have to supplement Michel Thomas with some other programs. He does not teach basic things like days of the week, numbers, time, etc. However, I check all my supplies out from the library, so have no trouble supplementing with other programs. Total investment in my limited Italian: $0. The fun of trying to communicate and carry on conversations: priceless.

I think it's best to have a variety of language courses.

I like the PC based to see the words I'm trying to pronounce. I like the grammer and other lessons you can get from a PC based program.

I have the "Learn to Speak" programs by the Learning Company (they're hard if not impossible to find now) in French, Italian and German. I really like the voice recognition feature. It tests my pronunciation and has interactive conversations with a video person.

There are multiple online language courses. I've used the BBC's courses.

I like Pimsleur to use in the car. I like the fact that it starts with easy words and phrases and builds into more complicated phrases.

I think adding some foreign language films or music is also a good tool. It gives you the chance to listen to native speakers who aren't going out of their way to help you understand. Watch or listen to them repeatedly. As you listen more, you will catch more of what they're saying and can know you're making progress.

The library is your best resource. When you find a program you love, you can buy it online or at a bookstore.

I agree with the idea of listening to Italian music.

Here are some good Italian rock/pop singers with excellent diction and good music:

-- Laura Pausini

-- Nek (if you like Sting, you'll like Nek)

-- Eros Ramazotti

-- Tiziano Ferro

With all these singers, be sure you get the Italian version of the CD as many release the same CDs but in Spanish.

They're available through amazon.com and other sites.

Don't bother with listening to opera for purposes of learning the language. The Italian used by Puccini and Verdi sounds very stilted to modern Italians and contains lots of words that are no longer used in conversation.

I'm also a fan of Pimsleur. The basic technique is to teach you words and phrases and then have you repeat them just about the time you have almost forgotten them. So you hear a sentence and then immediately are asked a question where that sentence is the answer. Now a different question, then back to getting you to say the 1st sentence. The next interval is longer, and so on.

It's pretty painless, and you really acquire an ear for how things should sound. Structures that at first sound strange (eg. "where is the your car?" would be a literal translation from italian) end up sounding right in the language. Pimsleur gives you a framework for expressing many thoughts and questions, mostly in the present tense.

But any language program can only go so far. The 90 lessons give 45 hours of instruction, which is hardly enough to make you "fluent" if that is your expectation. On the other hand after finishing the lessons I have traveled in Italy and been able to get by, including one situation where I needed to replace a dead SIM chip with a clerk who either couldn't or wouldn't speak a word of english.

Michael, thanks for reminding me about the music - I forgot to mention that. Also, if it's available in your area, watch Italian TV! I find that listening to the conversations and especially the news is really helpful. I quite enjoy watching some of the drama and reality shows. One show that I watch every week is Ce Posta per Te.

In addition to the artists you mentioned, there's also:

• Alexia

• Gianni Morandi

• Lucio Dalla

Some of these are available on I-Tunes, so it's possible to listen to short clips of the music before purchase.

I find that it's a good idea to keep working on the language lessons between trips, as the knowledge disappears very quickly if not "refreshed".

Cheers!