Best way to learn Italian?

psychopathbabble

Ciao, comme stais? (I think that is right?!) :rolleyes:

I have wanted to learn Spanish for a while now, however I have heard rumours my employers may be expanding into Rome in a year or so, and if that is true then I want my name first on the list! Unfortunately, we have to be fluent in Italian first...

I'm just curious as to what way you think is better to learn a language properly?

I was thinking about finding a tutor for the basics, pronunciation etc, and then relying on books and cds...

I know living in the country is the ultimate way to learn, but rules are rules and I can't get there until I can speak and understand Italian!

Thanks

asea

Try the Rosetta Stone, you can buy it on Amazon. I recently moved to Italy and it really helped

Voyager2002

Visit your public library and borrow some of the courses there (written and sound, with video in some cases). Choose one that suits you, and persevere with it.

The Open University provides some excellent courses, some at an elementary level.

Of course, the best way of all is to find an Italian=speaker here and fall in love!

littlepinkstars44

i speak spanish french and italian, learned in school

psychopathbabble

Voyager2002 wrote: »

.

Of course, the best way of all is to find an Italian=speaker here and fall in love!

I wish!!

Voyager2002

psychopathbabble wrote: »

I wish!!

There are a surprisingly large number of language students and au pairs around, many of whom would be delighted to exchange conversation in English and Italian. And, as is well known, one thing can lead to another...

aqueoushumour01

psychopathbabble wrote: »

Ciao, comme stais? (I think that is right?!) :rolleyes:

I have wanted to learn Spanish for a while now, however I have heard rumours my employers may be expanding into Rome in a year or so, and if that is true then I want my name first on the list! Unfortunately, we have to be fluent in Italian first...

I'm just curious as to what way you think is better to learn a language properly?

I was thinking about finding a tutor for the basics, pronunciation etc, and then relying on books and cds...

I know living in the country is the ultimate way to learn, but rules are rules and I can't get there until I can speak and understand Italian!

Thanks

when I learnt spanish I did a few evening classes to introduce me to the lanaguage. Then I hit the books in my spare time and worked in spain for a few months even though I knew almost nothing. I consider myself fluent in the language - not fluent in the way most english people think they're fluent when they only can say a handful of half correct sentences - but pretty much as fluent as it gets conversationally. So, you can do it if you put your mind to it!

farso

Theres plenty of podcasts out there teaching various languages, most of the ones i have used are great for making an initial impression on people of that language. Best of all, they are geneally free to download.

psychopathbabble

Thanks for your advice guys... I remembered my friend has an Italian cd set floating around that she was considering ebaying so I think I'll start on that... if I find it too confusing then I'll look around for someone to help me...

Hopefully this time next year, I'll be fluent and ready to (hopefully) transfer to Rome!!