A = A B = Bi C = Ci D = Di E = E F = Effe G = Gi H = Acca I = I L = Elle M - Emme N = Enne O = O P = Pi Q = Cu R = Erre S = Esse T = Ti U = U V = Vi/Vu Z = Zeta
Buongiorno (“Hello / Good morning/afternoon”) Ciao (“Hi / Hello / Bye”) Arrivederci (“Goodbye”) Per favore / Per piacere (“Please”) Come sta? / Come stai? (“How are you?” [formal / informal]) Sto bene. (“I am fine / well. ”) Scusi / Scusa (“Excuse me” [formal / informal]) Grazie (“Thank you”)
Expand your Italian vocabulary by labeling items in your home with Italian words and pronouncing them out loud when you pass by. Check online for additional resources to help you practice grammar and vocabulary.
Do your Italian homework. There’s no sense in taking a language class unless you’re going to do all the homework and exercises. They may seem tedious, but they’re absolutely necessary, since learning a brand-new language takes hours and hours of practice. Participate in class discussions. [7] X Research source Raise your hand a lot to answer the instructor’s questions. [8] X Research source Speaking out loud as often as possible and getting feedback on your pronunciation will help you improve much faster than if you listen quietly in the back of the classroom.
Check your university’s message boards for graduate students or others proficient in Italian who may advertise tutoring services. Your university’s language department may also have a list of tutors available for students. If you aren’t affiliated with a university, look online for people advertising tutoring services. You can work with someone who is actually in Italy by using Skype or another online video program.
Start an Italian discussion group that meets a few times a week. The goal should be to speak only Italian for a full hour or so. You can have everyone discuss a certain conversation topic, or simply go with how the conversation flows. Plan outings with Italian speakers, so you can practice using the language in a variety of contexts. For example, you could go to a museum and discuss art in Italian. Find a way to speak Italian for at least half an hour a day. Even on the days when you don’t meet with your group, give a fellow Italian speaker a call and chat in Italian for half an hour. Meet with an Italian instructor during his or her office hours and discuss the class in Italian. Get as much practice in as you can.
Look for study abroad opportunities offered by your college or university. You may be able to spend a semester or a year studying in Italy. If you aren’t affiliated with a school, look for work opportunities in Italy. Foreigners can work abroad through arts programs, organic farming programs, and other interesting opportunities. When you’re in Italy, speak only Italian and try to avoid English. Don’t gravitate toward the English-speaking foreigners you’ll inevitably encounter. Many well-meaning Italians may assume you’d rather speak English, but you should politely continue to speak Italian, even if it’s difficult at first. With enough time and practice, the language will begin to click and you’ll be able to speak with fluency.
