How hard is it to learn Italian?

How to learn Italian if it’s so hard? Or… is it?

Italian is considered one of the easiest languages for a native English speaker to learn.

The grammar and sentence structure are different from English but simpler.

Because both have Latin roots, they also share thousands of cognates – words that sound the same and have the same meanings.

How long does it take to learn Italian?

How long does it take for an English speaker to learn Italian?

One year of classes in school. Between 5-6.25 years to reach an intermediate level.
Dedicated independent study (1 hour per day). Approximately 3 years to achieve an intermediate level of Italian.
Total, active immersion (8 hours per day). Approximately 3 months to have an intermediate level of Italian.

6 Tips to learn Italian fast

#1. Focus on conversation

My first study tip to speak Italian is to focus on conversation. Not grammar, not reading.

An hour of conversation (with corrections and a dictionary for reference) is as good as five hours in a classroom and 10 hours with a language course by yourself.

#2. Learning Italian every day

Studying a language four hours a day for two weeks will be more beneficial for you than studying for one hour a day for two months.

#3. Focus on speaking and listening

The greatest return on investment in language learning is forcing yourself to speak Italian and communicate with Italian speakers.

#4. Take 1-on-1 tutoring

Grabbing a solid tutor and sitting with him or her for a few hours every day is the fastest way to learn a new language I’ve ever found.

If you can’t afford 1-on-1 tutoring, find a language buddy online

#5. Follow your passion

Even if you’re totally excited about this new language learning journey you’ve embarked on, at some point or another, chances are studying this new language is going to feel like a chore.

#6. Don’t study grammar

You want to speak and think directly in Italian. So, don’t start with grammar rules.

If you’re overwhelmed by boring grammar lessons, you’ll give up because you lose interest and stop putting in the effort.

It’s not how long, but how you study

How long will it take to learn Italian?

That’s not the real question.

It’s rather, how to learn Italian fast?

Your learning methods play an important role in how fast you learn Italian. If your language learning is limited to a classroom setting, then it will take you a little longer to learn.

If, however, you also are exposed to Italian outside of classes, then you can cut down the time needed to learn it.

Reading, listening to the news in Italian, radio or eBooks, writing, speaking, watching movies, and traveling to an Italian-speaking country can all help to speed up your learning process.

There’s no right way to learn a foreign language, but there are lots of wrong ways.

Total Immersion is the most intense option for learning Italian with the best and quickest results.

January 19, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Italian dishes everybody needs to try

Places

Italy is best known around the world for their amazing cuisine and their love of soccer. Everyone knows that their food just outright beats the cuisine of most Western countries. Even Italian takeaway is seen as a delicacy and is amazing. With an overwhelming amount of choices these are the dishes that everyone needs to try.

Sicilian green olives

Starting off with a Mediterranean classic is olives. Now Sicilian green olives differ to normal olives and are worth the try. They have a different texture and flavour to other olives and may be the turner for those who aren’t a fan with olives.

Served with olive oil, herbs and garlic, green Sicilian olives are a great appetiser that everyone needs to try.

Arancini

Arancini are the height of street Italian takeaway food. These little rice balls definitely pack a punch of flavour. Normally stuffed with Bolognese sauce and mozzarella, they are then battered in bread crumbs and deep fried. Accompanied with a pinch of grated parmesan cheese to top it all off.

If bite size isn’t for you either make sure to find yourself a giant Arancino, guaranteed to conquer the mightiest of appetites.

Chili mussels

If you are a fan of seafood and can handle the heat, chili mussels are a must have treat. Best eaten on a cold night, the mussels are sautéed in a tomato sauce that is filled with garlic, chili and a splash of white wine.

When you’ve finished with the mussels usually some artisan bread is provided so that you can finish off all of that delightful sauce.

Gnocchi

Handmade gnocchi are a delicacy and a very tasty meal for all tastebuds. Traditionally like pasta, gnocchi is meant to be served as an appetiser. Due to the popularity of both dishes they have made their way as a main course meal for many Western countries.

Gnocchi are pasta/ potato like dumplings that are made from wheat, egg and cheese. They are then cooked in a pot of boiling water like most pastas and served with the desired sauce. Vegetarian sauces to accompany the gnocchi are preferred in the traditional sense normally being a pesto or Napoli variant.

Traditional pizza

No list of great Italian food would be complete without mentioning the Italian takeaway king itself, pizza. This dish has to be the most Westernised Italian dishes out of all the listings here but what people truly need to try is the traditional variant of pizza.

In Italy pizza is meant to have no more than three toppings on it. A handmade base with fresh roma tomato sauce, topping with buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil is sure to change your opinion on what pizza should taste like.

Cannoli

A classic traditional dessert, cannolis are perfect for a restaurant dessert treat. These little heavenly stuffed pastries originated from Sicily and have a staple for Sicilian cuisine. Traditionally stuffed with ricotta, fruits and nuts are sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Western countries have adapted the recipe as well, filling them with custard rather than the traditional ricotta. If you aren’t a fan of sweet ricotta then the custard filling is a must try.

Whether you’re looking to travel to Italy or you have a keen cooking skill and want to try something amazing, these are the top Italian foods that everyone must try.

If you can’t squeeze in a quick trip to Italy and don’t have any cooking skills like the most of us, you can always look for these dishes at good Italian restaurants Sydney! It’s time to get eating and be sure to try a wide range of the food on offer.

Tag: italian

Learning Italian Doesn’t Have To Be Hard. Read These 6 Tips