If you want to know how to learn Italian fast, you’ve come to the right spot. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to Italy or perhaps want to learn a new language for fun. I did it, I have learned Italian and now I am sharing with you a list of tips and tricks to learn Italian in only 2 months!
The list includes a set of tips and tricks on how to learn Italian, names of textbooks and apps to support your studies, amazing Italian YouTube channels and movies to watch. If learning Italian on your own is not your cup of tea – I have also prepared a list of Italian language schools you can frequent.
Want to know how I did it? Let’s dig in.
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TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO LEARN ITALIAN FAST
There is no right or wrong way when you want to learn a new language. Below I’m sharing some tips and tricks on how I learned Italian fast on my own and can now speak it fluently. All that without ever taking a language course!
Download a language app on your phone
Downloading a language app that supports Italian is definitely a good place to start! The most common language apps to learn Italian, supported by both, iOS and Android are:
- Duolingo – number one free language app (with in-app purchases)
- Babbel – to use Babbel you will pay around €6.95 per month. See their full pricing here
Such apps are designed for beginners and will teach you the basic vocabulary and ideas behind the formation of sentences.
Tip: Use Duolingo on your laptop as this allows you to write the sentences down on your own, an option not available on the mobile app. What is best, you also get free unlimited lives that are otherwise only available on a payable version.
Ask your friends for old Italian textbooks from school
Do you know anyone who used to study Italian at school? Ask to borrow their textbooks and workbooks and start on your own! Take a notebook and copy the exercises. Familiarize yourself with the rules and start writing and reading out loud to get used to how your voice sounds in another language.
I have used the following textbooks and I can’t recommend them enough:
- Level A1: Nuovo Progetto Italiano 1a, Amazon, €21.90 (textbook + workbook)
- Level A2: Nuovo Progetto Italiano 1b, Amazon, €19.00 (textbook + workbook)
- Level B1-B2: Nuovo Progetto Italiano 2, Amazon, €21.40 (textbook) and Nuovo Progetto Italiano 2, Amazon, €12.50 (workbook)
- Level B2-C1: Nuovo Progetto Italiano 3, Amazon, €41.35 (textbook) and Nuovo Progetto Italiano 3, Amazon, €12.25 (workbook)
You can order yours through Amazon by clicking on links above. The textbooks are separated by level so you can choose the one most suitable for your knowledge.
Switch your phone language to Italian
Has it ever happened to you that you’ve changed your phone language by mistake and you then spent hours trying to switch the language back? Well, do that with Italian, but on purpose. It might be a challenge at first but you will see how quickly you start picking up words and phrases.
Master your listening skills in Italian
Listening to Italian on a daily basis will help you pick up the language quicker. You would be surprised by how fast you can remember words only by listening to them!
The best way to do so is to start watching cartoons in Italian. Open Netflix, Disney+, create an Amazon Prime Video account (they offer 30 30-day free trial) or any other platform or TV channel, and choose a cartoon on a simple topic. It is important to watch the cartoon in Italian with subtitles in English or your native language. Once you feel confident, switch subtitles to Italian.
Support your Italian learning by watching YouTube
YouTube is a gold mine for learning Italian. Several YouTube channels are focused on teaching Italian to foreigners or expats. These are some I have watched while studying Italian and would recommend to any beginner:
- Learn Italian with Lucrezia
- Italy Made Easy
- Callmedidi (lifestyle – for advanced listeners)
LIST OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
You would like to learn Italian, but now on your own? I have got you covered! Here is a list of Italian language schools you can visit in order to learn Italian fast. Take into consideration that Italian language schools can be costly. What is great is that your get separated by the knowledge level and practice with students with the same level of Italian.
Italian language schools in Milan:
- Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
- ELLCI
- Spaziolingua
- ILS (International Language School)
- Centro di Lingua e cultura italiana per stranieri
Some other alternatives to Italian language schools:
- If you’re a student – check if your university provides an Italian language course!
- Work online with an Italian language teacher
There you go. Now you know all the tips and tricks on how to learn Italian fast. What are you waiting for? Grab your new Italian books, download Duolingo and start. Imagine the feeling when you are finally able to order a cappuccino with breakfast, in Italian!
Were the tips helpful? Let me know in the comment section or send me a message HERE.
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Hi, it's Neja
I am an expat from Slovenia,
living in Milan since 2021 and writing a travel blog for all of you who are curious about life in Italy or traveling in Europe.
Follow me on my journey and learn everything about Italy and the European destinations.
