A beginner’s guide to learning Italian
Monday, 12th April 2010
I took a 10-week Italian beginners course ahead of a friend’s wedding in Monterchi, a fairly remote and rural part of Tuscany.
We were going as part of a group of 20 for a week’s stay; no one spoke Italian. I had done Latin at school many, many years ago, and had been pretty rubbish at it. But, I was determined to pick up at least some basics for the trip. I only had four classes before we set off to Italy, but I was amazed how far you can get with just some basic phrases! I had done well to prepare, as few of the locals spoke English.
Despite my infant-level Italian, I was able to make table reservations in the local restaurants, read the menu and order (for all 20 of us!), buy supplies at the village shop, ask for directions, postcard stamps, ATM machines and good places for breakfast and even have the odd conversation with waiters, the local shop keeper and her wine-making husband. My attempts may have been feeble, but trying to communicate in their language, earned me the locals’ infinite patience at guessing what I was trying to say, plus their well-meaning encouragement and reassurance of my “excellent Italian”. A little can go a very long way!
Top tips for getting by on the basics:
1. Be realistic. There is a limit to what you can learn and remember over any given time.
2. Know what you want to be able to do with the language. Don’t spend hours trying to learn the different tenses and pronouns, if all you want to be able to do is get by.
3. Concentrate on real-life situations and practical vocabulary, i.e. verbs! You can point at most nouns. Pick the words with most multiple uses – you’d be amazed how far you can get with “I want that…” and “I don’t want that…” – travel essentials from my experience!
4. Have fun. You’re not at school anymore, or maybe you are, but it’s not an exam. Getting ourselves understood is what most beginners in any language really want (understanding what others say back is a bonus!). You will find most locals to be very patient and encouraging once you start trying (if somewhat bemused by your attempts). But you’ll be impressed what a few inelegantly muttered words in the local tongue can do for breaking down barriers! It got us an invitation to the local vineyard’s wine tasting evening – and after a few glasses of the local beverage of choice, you‘ll find you’re pretty fluent anyway!
Oh, and don’t think that your attempts at the local lingo will only be appreciated or come in handy in remote areas! My basic Italian was just as useful in Rome, maybe even more so, as it really makes you stand out from the rest of the tourist crowds. You’ll find the locals have a lot more time for you, which will ultimately enrich your experience.
Cactus offers an array of language training options, including UK and US - based evening classes, foreign language courses abroad, and tailor-made training to suit your specific needs. Visit our websites for more information, or contact us on 0845 1304775 (UK) or 1 888 577 8451 (US) for help in choosing the best training format for you.
Tags: phrases, course, language, italy, italian, english
Posted by Tinka Bose 2010-04 under Attitudes to Language Learning,
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