How to Learn Italian on Your Own

Thursday, December 03, 2020 Cristian 3 Comments

There might be various reasons why you would want to learn a foreign language. However, there could also be a variety of reasons why you still did not get on with it. You might don't have enough money to invest in face-to-face classes, private tutors, study abroad experiences, or don't have enough time and prefer to study between commitments instead. Regardless of why you didn't start studying yet, I hope I will be able to help you get on it now. It's never too late.

Why should I learn Italian?

Italian culture, literature, art, and food are known and appreciated all over the world. You will always be able to find the opportunity to show off your Italian knowledge, whether it's during a museum visit, ordering food at an Italian restaurant, or when you start dating an Italian person. 

Italian and Colorful Street

How long does it take to learn Italian?

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to how long it will take you to be fluent in Italian. It depends on many factors: how many hours you are willing to study, the level you are trying to reach, how often you will practice, how you will practice, and the reason you are studying it in the first place.

How to learn Italian on your own

Before you even start investing time in learning, come up with a plan. Choose when you want to study, and how much you want to invest (either daily or weekly), and finally gather all the resources available to you. Identify the learning method that is most suitable for you. f you don't enjoy reading, it goes without saying that reading in a foreign language is not going to be a pleasent journey for you. Try listening to music or podcasts instead. Watching TV in Italian. You can definitely start with English subtitles and eventually switch them to Italian. Last but not least, you should practice your speaking, either with other language learners or, if possible, with natives. 

What to Watch 👀

Netflix has a decent amount of Italian content that you might be able to watch from your home country. If that's not the case, try using a VPN. 

Here's a list of Italian series and movies available on Netflix: Cinema Paradiso (Best Foreign Language Film, Academy Awards, 1989); Life is Beautiful (Best Foreign Language Film, Academy Awards 1999); Under the Riccione Sun (Netflix Original); SKAM Italia (originated from Norway, every country has now a different version of it); The Life Ahead (Netflix Original); Summertime (Netflix Original); Suburra (Netflix Original); Baby (Netflix Original); Everything Calls for Salvation (Netflix Original). The more you watch and rate on Netflix, and higher the chances you have to be suggested other shows you might like.

Infinity TV is an Italian streaming platform that contains a greater catalog of Italian movies and TV series, here are some of the most popular ones: Perfetti Sconosciuti, Tutta Colpa di Freud, The Place, Benvenuti al Sud, Benvenuti al Nord, Così è La Vita, Ma Che Bella Sorpresa, I Cesaroni, and many more.

Italian Music

I don't necessarily like all of these artists but hopefully, you will find some whose music you enjoy: Ligabue, Maneskin, Ultimo, Ariete, Coez, Marco Mengoni, Jovanotti, Cesare Cremonini, Negramaro, Fedez, and more. If you start listening to these on Spotify, it's possible that the platform suggests you similar artists that you might find interesting.

Italian Podcasts 

If you are looking for something to listen to while cooking, drawing, commuting, etc, podcasts might be right for you. I haven't actually listened to any of these but I heard good things about them: Coffee Break Italian, Café Design, 5 Minute Italian, Italiano Automatico, ...

What to Read

If you would like to practice your reading, I'd suggest you start with books you've already read in your native language. That way, you will be able to visualize the story and it won't be too hard to follow. Additionally, make sure you always have a dictionary close by. Underline the words you don't understand and translate them. Some of the most famous Italian books you can read are the following: The Adventures of Pinocchio; The Late Mattia Pascal; One, No One, and One Hundred Thousand; The Name of The Rose, but these  - depending on your level - can be tougher reads.

Practice your Speaking 💬

Now that you've spent hours watching tv and reading Italian, the next step is speaking. Find Italian speakers in your community that can help you practice. Ask them to conversate with you or correct your reading. SPEAK Social is a platform where you can find many language groups. During the first covid wave, all language groups were offered online and for free. Language groups are usually in person and cost a small fee. 

A girl in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Conclusion

These are just some of the many resources you can use to learn Italian. I haven't watched or read all of the things I listed above, so don't take my suggestions as personal recommendations. If you are learning Italian, have you watched some of these Italian movies and TV shows? Are there more you recommend? Any more books that can be good for beginners/intermediates? Respond in the comment section so that I can add them to the article. 😊

- Cris

3 comments:

How to Choose Where to Study Abroad

Saturday, October 10, 2020 Cristian 2 Comments

You've probably heard it countless times: studying abroad is cool for endless reasons. At the end of the day who doesn't like to travel, make friends, try new foods, and speak new languages?! However, even though we always say the world is small, it is extremely big. So, how do we choose where to study abroad? Stay with me and you will find out. 

Why Study Abroad

Education is important and those of you who have access to it should consider themselves lucky. Studying abroad will benefit you even more. It is proven that those with academic and work experience outside their home country are more likely to get a job. Additionally, it is particularly important to study abroad whilst in high school as it proves a high level of maturity. Not many feel ready to leave their homes at 16 years old, if you do, welcome to the batch! Moreover, by living with a host family, you will be able to learn about new cultures and traditions. In fact, I'm sure that after living abroad, the word "normal" is going to leave your vocabulary because you will develop new habits and everything new is going to become familiar. In short, does studying abroad change lives? Yes, it does.

When to Study Abroad

Given that you are now informed about the benefits of studying abroad, you should definitely explore the programs available and whether you are eligible or not. Students usually study abroad during their second to last year of high school. However, in some countries, students can also take a gap year between high school and college. If you don't feel ready to face this big step during high school, don't worry! Thousands of universities have international partners so you can consider doing an exchange at a later time. 

A guy with a backpack on a bridge


Where to Study Abroad

It is easy to take someone's advice to study abroad, it is tougher to decide which country is going to be your home away from home. I get it, I still struggle to this day to decide where I want to move next. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make this decision for you. You won't feel 100% sure either. Therefore, you have to be open to taking risks. Even so, today I will try to list several factors you can consider when choosing where to study abroad.

Language Preferences

It goes without saying that thinking about which language you are interested in is important. However, you should also think about why you find that language important. Have you always wanted to speak it fluently? Do you have family that speaks it? Or is it going to benefit your future career? Identify your target language and focus on your long-term goals. 

Career Prospects

Are you looking to move abroad permanently? Perhaps you should consider a country with a low unemployment rate and generous job offers in your desired field. Keep in mind that you are going to be living with a local family, who will be your main point of reference to build a stable network in your host country.

Cultural Differences

Are you looking for a country that has a completely different culture from yours? Or are you looking for a place that shares similarities with home? Keep in mind that culture shock is real and it is up to you how you embrace the differences. 

Distance

Are your parents hesitant about sending you overseas? Perhaps going to a country that is only a 2-hour flight away will help your chances in convincing your parents to let you study abroad. Generally speaking, those who studied closer to their homes also visit their host country way more than those who studied far away, as it is more affordable and logistically easier. 

Welcoming Environment

The factors mentioned above are all valuable, however, the biggest advice I can give you is to go to countries where diversity is not considered a threat. Unfortunately, there are still parts of the world where all forms of diversity are not tolerated.

Conclusion

Leaving your comfort zone is going to make you a people person. You are going to become a better version of yourself. Probably, you are going to face more challenges during your year abroad than over the course of five years back home. There will be tough times. Times during which you are going to regret your decision to study in one country rather than another. However, at the end of it, everything is going to make sense and you are going to learn how to appreciate things as they come. However, times are even tougher when you go home from your exchange and everybody thinks you hate home but the reality is that you miss your experience abroad and just need time to adjust. 
 Now I would like to hear from you. How did you decide where to study? Share your story in the comment section. If you are yet to go abroad, feel free to ask questions.

- Cris

2 comments:

Cris Stays Home, and You Should Too.

Monday, March 23, 2020 Cristian 0 Comments


I normally go. Now I decided to stay. Home. 

I always have it all planned. I plan the future and I sometimes forget to enjoy the present. I am always looking for a new place to visit or a new experience to live. I am curious. I just am not the kind of person that can settle for too long. 

But right now it's different.

I love to travel, to go to the beach, to sightsee, and I love happy-hours with friends. 

However, 
I am terribly disappointed at those of you who continue to take this situation lightly. 

Schools being closed is not a free pass for you to go to the beach or hang out with your friends. 
If the club is closed, it does not mean you can throw a party at your house. 
And being young does not make you immune to the virus. 

Your travels, your happy hours, and your classes can be postponed. The life of a loved one cannot. 

Please be smart about it. Stay home for yourself and others. If you have friends and family that still joke about it or do not take it seriously, please have a discussion.

A cup of tea on a cozy bed

You are asked to stay home, not to go to war. Read a book, take an online course, paint, draw, make art, play games with your family, watch a movie, learn a new language, write a journal, call your friends, clean up your room, try new recipes in the kitchen, plan the future, work on your weaknesses, work out, reflect upon all those little things you always take from granted... and be kinder in the future, to yourself and to others. 

Do the right thing, and be safe.

Until next time,
Cris

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