Buongiorno! If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re most certainly interested in learning Italian. And why wouldn’t you be? Just by studying any language, you’ll be able to develop your cognitive skills and improve your memory. But what sets Italian apart are other types of benefits.
Most learners who are eager to study Italian are well aware that developing this language will allow them to grow professionally and culturally. Being widely spoken and taught around the world, mostly in Italy, the cradle of architectural, gastronomic and business wonders, proficient Italian skills allow you to improve your career prospects by working for world-renowned Italian fashion brands and your cultural understanding by finding out the true meaning of this country’s fascinating historical heritage.
But the first obstacle most students face is how to begin. After all, there are plenty of studying methods and resources to drive anyone crazy. Fortunately for you, we are here to give you a hand with a list of the best Italian learning tools, as well as the secret to speeding up your language journey.
When it comes to language learning resources, there’s no such thing as “one-size-fits-all”. Research in pedagogy is very clear: Students have individual learning differences. So, before you start your Italian journey, it’s always recommendable to find out which learning resources fit your study methodology best.
Since checking every single Italian learning tool takes a tremendous amount of time, we thought about helping you. So, not only have we provided a list of the best tools to master this language but we have also arranged these resources into sensible categories that should meet every single learner’s studying method. Let’s give them a good look! Or, shall we say, Diamo loro un'occhiata!
Are you too busy with work to learn Italian through full-time online courses? Are you the kind of person who cannot stand traditional teaching techniques and schooling methods? Would you like to play games while learning a new language? If the answer to all, some or just one of these questions is "yes", then we suggest checking out these apps and getting ready to learn Italian on the go!
Duolingo: An online game-style language learning tool, Duolingo hosts Italian activities for students of various ages and linguistic abilities. These exercises consist of short and colorful games, such as flashcard or puzzles, to learn new vocabulary, sounds or syntactical structures. And for those who are not sure where to begin, Duolingo offers a placement test that will tell you all about your current Italian knowledge.
One of the main characteristics of this app is chunking. That is, breaking everyday Italian conversations into small segments. Thus, if you’re looking to become fluent in Italian, you’ll definitely want to try some of these apps’ conversational audio lessons.
With a focus on reading comprehension, MosaLingua gives you the chance to develop this skill by repeating native-speakers speech featured in flashcards and videos. There’s no guide, so it’s a self-directed resource. In other words, with this app, you’re in charge of your own learning experience.
It doesn't matter what you are studying. Dictionaries and translators will always come in handy, especially if you're intending to become proficient in another language. In this particular case, these dictionaries and translators will give you an in-depth look into Italian words and phrases and all of their characteristics (pronunciation, antonyms, synonyms, collocations, etc…). And yes, while they share one goal in common, they also boast different and unique features.
ForvoItalian : If you want to have a real sense of how Italian words are pronounced, you should definitely check this Italian pronunciation dictionary. Rather than giving you information about meaning, it combines recording of native-speakers from multiple places in Italy to give learners a real taste of Italian pronunciation.
Perhaps, the most comprehensive online dictionary, word reference boasts two interesting characteristics. Aside from hosting a comprehensive list of Italian words, it also has a forum with additional information about this language and a handy verb conjugator to work on your grammar.
For those looking for a translator, Sapere is an excellent online option. Aside from hosting a good Italian dictionary, it also offers Italian-English translations of all sorts of words and phrases.It does not only offer a good Italian dictionary but also Italian-English translation of all sorts of words and phrases.
Even though apps have slowly become one of the main sources of language learning for beginner students, textbooks are still very relevant. How so? Well, they offer the most complete lessons in Italian one can ask for! And they are geared toward students of all levels. From elementary to advanced activities, these textbooks will give you the chance to learn Italian in both traditional (e.g., fill in the blanks) and very creative ways (e.g., storytelling).
20 short stories, different characters, interesting plots and simple language, this is the perfect book for those wishing to develop Italian reading skills for the first time.
As the name implies, this book focuses on teaching vocabulary. Thus, inside, you’ll find a vast number of Italian words and practical phrases along with detailed and appropriate explanations on how and when to use them.
If you’re completely new to Italian, this is the book you’re looking for. It covers all of the basics, from grammar to vocabulary, to give you a foundation of this language.
Although YouTube is mostly used for entertainment, like watching trending videos, your favorite concerts, “how-to” guides or influencers, there’s a huge library of teachers who upload lessons in different languages. Italian is no exception. Nowadays, there are numerous YouTube channels that can be hugely useful to begin or continue your Italian learning journey. The problem is knowing where to start. But don’t stress. Below, we compiled our favorite channels to study Italian. Enjoy!
With these talented and engaging teachers, you won’t just learn some Italian words and phrases, you’ll also delve into Italian’s cultural traits. For instance, there’s a whole video dedicated to Italian gestures aimed at teaching how to interact with locals.
This YouTuber’s personal blog is an amazing Italian language learning tool. In a nutshell, Lucrezia will teach you all you need to know about Italians’ native tongue and Not only will Lucrezia teach you about Italian language but also give you a unique perspective into the locals’ lifestyle by touching on a wide range of topics, from food to clothes.
In this channel, you’ll find everything you need to become fluent in Italian, from lessons in pronunciation to street interviews and language learning techniques. Just make sure to have a good foundation of this language first, that is, at least an intermediate level of Italian!
Another non-traditional method to engage your language learning brain is through podcasts. Aside from being an excellent source of news and entertainment, podcasts can also be pedagogical tools. In the case of Italian, you’ll find plenty of shows and hosts who are ready to lay down to share the most interesting facts about this language, whether it is through essential grammar explanations or plain cultural knowledge. The great thing about them is that you’ll be able to listen to them wherever you go!
In today’s world, you have the chance to study Italian in a variety of ways. Online courses are some of the best options that technology makes available. Not only are some of them highly complete, but, according to MIT, they can be as good as traditional education. What’s more, they rely on different teaching methods. While some feature video classes, others offer audio content or simply reading lessons.
Exams generally suffer from a bad reputation, particularly among young students. Having to study for tests might cause high levels of stress and anxiety. But there are several positive effects as well. Examinations help you determine your Italian abilities and strength, increase your knowledge, improve your memory and give you the chance to study in other parts of the world. In this particular case, an Italian proficiency test will allow you to become more fluent in this language and open academic and work-related opportunities in Italy. Some might be costly, but they’re still worth taking.
What else can you do to learn Italian? Well, another excellent Italian learning tool is blogs. Many of these sites are devoted to language learning. Others, however, focus on Italian culture and specific niches of Italian life. So, you can easily combine them to start developing your skills as well as becoming acquainted with Italian lifestyle, like cooking, fashion, business, history and other topics. Here are our top picks for your Italian learning journey.
One of the main reasons students struggle to learn is getting distracted by their social media. Rather than revising their homework, they spend an unhealthy amount of time checking their DMs and doing other things on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Luckily for them, there's a way to solve this problem without the need to abandon their beloved social media profiles. They can use these sites as another language tool by checking or following these accounts or groups that upload bite-sized Italian learning lessons and videos.
But what if none of these tools suit your learning methods? Should you give up? Not at all! Instead, this is the perfect moment to try alternative teaching techniques. That is, ways to learn a language that don't fit the traditional schooling curriculum. Instead, they rely on everyday activities that will immerse you in Italian life and help you study this beautiful language naturally, through exposure to real-life language use. Let's take a closer look at these tools:
Of course, one of the easiest ways to learn languages is by chatting with native speakers. Apart from practicing your speech, you’ll also become more acquainted with Italian culture, learning patterns of interactions, conversational clues and slang.
But if you can’t communicate with native speakers, there are other ways to immerse yourself in the Italian world, namely, reading comics, newspapers and books in this language. Not only get you closer to Italian but also train your reading skills.
Most students love this language learning tool, because it is related to something they do every day, that is, watching something on the TV or on the web. So, get your pen and paper ready and begin taking notes on vocabulary or imitating native speakers.
Now that you finally have your resources list arranged in neatly organized categories, it’s time to begin your journey. But before you take on this new language, we’d like to tell you something very important.
If you’ve come this far, you’re probably highly motivated to learn a language. But a burning desire to become proficient in Italian won’t be enough to master this Latin descendant. You’ll have a better chance of fulfilling this goal if you follow these next tips:
There's one more tip we need to talk about. And if you follow it, you’ll acquire native-level Italian skills faster than any other learner. not only will you acquire native-level Italian skills but also master this language faster than any other learner.
As it happens, all the resources in our list will give you a great foundation in the Italian language. Some of them will even allow you to gain advanced knowledge. But if you want to develop truly bilingual abilities, you need to interact with native Italian speakers who have a mastery of both their language and pedagogy. In short, you need to have classes with a native-speaking tutor.
And this is your lucky day since at Language Trainers we specialize in offering these types of tutoring services. What's more, we give you the chance to have classes in the comfort of your home or office. And in case none of these options are available, you can also ask for online classes through Skype, Zoom or Meet.
If you send us a quick inquiry, we'll get in touch with you to set you up with our highly qualified native-speaking teachers. Hope to see you soon. Ci vediamo!
