Italian is a romantic language spoken by 60 million people in Italy and other areas around the world. There are many regional dialects in Italy, but the Tuscan version is one of the most widely spoken. To learn Italian, start with the basic alphabet and grammar, get professional instruction, and live the language if you want to become fluent.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Learn the Italian alphabet
Most of the Italian letters are the same as Indonesian, but the pronunciation is different. The letters j (i lunga), k (cappa), w (vi/vu doppia), x (ics) and y (i greca) are not part of the Italian alphabet, but appear in foreign words. Practice pronouncing the letters in your Italian before moving on to pronouncing whole words.
- 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 = Kyu
- R = Erre
- S = Esse
- T = Ti
- U = U
- V = Vi/Vu
- Z = Zeta
Step 2. Practice basic phrases
Learn some basic phrases that will help you get around Italy and determine if you are interested enough to learn the language. Familiarizing yourself with these phrases will also prepare you for an Italian class. Practice. UYp8Diugmeg pronunciation of these phrases with an Italian accent:
- Buon giorno ("Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon")
- Ciao ("Hi / Hello / Bye")
- Arrivederci("Goodbye")
- Per favore / Per piacere ("Help")
- Come sta? / Come stai? ("How are you?" [formal/informal])
- Sto bene. ("I'm fine/well.")
- Scusi/Scusa (“Excuse me” [formal/informal])
- Grazie ("Thank you")
Step 3. Familiarize yourself with Italian vocabulary and grammar
Purchase an Indonesian-Italian dictionary and an Italian grammar book to help you understand how this language is structured. Memorize some of the vocabulary and practice pronouncing it aloud. Also, practice your grammar until you are good at constructing simple sentences.
- Develop your Italian vocabulary by labeling items in your home with the Italian word and pronounce them aloud when you come across them.
- Search the internet for other study materials to help you practice Italian vocabulary and grammar.
Method 2 of 3: Obtaining Professional Instruction
Step 1. Take an Italian class
Enroll in a class at the University or Campus in your city. You may be able to find a course at a school that specializes in language teaching. These schools usually provide intensive programs to help you learn a foreign language quickly. Also check online course opportunities as they are often cheaper than face-to-face classes.
- Do your Italian homework. There's no point in taking the course if you don't do all the homework and exercises. These tasks may seem daunting, but they are necessary because learning a foreign language relies heavily on practice.
- Take part in class discussions. Point your hand frequently to answer your teacher's questions. Speak aloud to get feedback on your pronunciation from the teacher and help speed up your development, rather than just sitting and sitting in class.
Step 2. Purchase Italian language software
Companies like Rosetta Stone offer software to help you learn Italian quickly in your spare time. This language pack has an audio component so you can hear the Italian pronunciation and practice it yourself. This software is quite expensive, so try to find a used CD or joint venture with a friend who also wants to learn Italian.
Step 3. Get an Italian teacher
One-on-one learning is the best way to learn a new language. Use the services of a teacher to improve the lessons in your class. Even if you don't take a course, try to see a language teacher a few times a week for the instruction you need to learn Italian effectively.
- Check university notice boards for other Italian students or linguists who offer language lessons. Your university's language department may have a list of available teachers.
- If you are not associated with a university, search the internet for advertisements for Italian tutoring. You can learn from native Italians by using Skype or other online video programs.
Method 3 of 3: Living Italian
Step 1. Spend time with Italian speaking people
Talk to students in advanced Italian classes, or make friends with people who speak Italian fluently. Surrounding yourself with Italian speaking people is a great way to improve your language skills. Direct practice like this cannot be obtained from reading books or using other learning materials.
- Create an Italian discussion group that meets several times a week. Members can only speak Italian for about an hour. You can create a topic of discussion, or just go with the flow of the conversation naturally.
- Plan to travel with Italian-speaking people so you can practice the language in a variety of contexts. For example, you could visit a museum and discuss Italian art.
- Find out how to speak Italian for at least an hour a day. Even outside of your scheduled group meeting, catch up with fellow Italian speakers and chat in Italian for half an hour. Meet your Italian teacher outside of business hours and discuss lessons in Italian. Try to practice as much as possible.
Step 2. Consumption of Italian language media
Media exposure is great for improving your language skills. This method helps you understand Italian in depth through pop culture and other contexts. Watch Italian films with Italian subtitles too, or no subtitles at all. Focus on understanding the language. In the end, you can understand what the cast is saying.
Step 3. Study live in Italy
If you want to be fluent in Italian, it's best to go to Italy and learn the language as long as you can. To become fully fluent, it takes years. However, usually in just 6 months your language skills have improved tremendously.
- Look for scholarship opportunities that colleges or universities offer. You may be able to spend a semester or a year studying in Italy.
- If you are not affiliated with any school, look for job opportunities in Italy. Usually, these opportunities are in the form of art programs, organic farming programs, and other interesting opportunities.
- When in Italy, try not to speak Indonesian or English. Don't hang out with people who speak Indonesian, or English. Many Italians will assume you prefer English, but you should continue to speak Italian politely, even if it can be difficult at first. With enough time and practice, this language will become ingrained and you can speak Italian fluently.
Tips
- A list of Italian-language newspapers can be found at
- Note that most words in Italian end in a vowel.
