How To Learn Italian Using Fun and Practical Methods

Want to know how to learn Italian? This guide covers the best ways to pick up the language, whether online, in class, or through travel!

If these sound familiar, then you’re in the right place.

The good news for you is that technology and communication have developed in the last 20 years to make your pursuit so much easier. Imagine trying to learn Italian before the internet, streaming, apps and budget travel.

Depending on your learning style, there’s no one way to learn Italian, you have options! If you are like me and prefer classroom learning, then great news: there are a ton of schools around the US and the world. 

If you love learning through apps, or want to pick up the language through culture and travel, we’ve got some great articles that you might want to check out. This guide will walk you through the best ways to pick up the language, and we’ll throw in some fun, useful links along the way.

Taking Traditional Italian Classes

For some people, like me, structure and a schedule is key for success. If you like learning in a classroom with an actual teacher guiding you, then formal Italian classes might be your best bet. You get the benefit of immersive and interactive lessons and immediate feedback on your pronunciation. 

The other benefit is that there’s a good chance you’ll meet fellow learners to practice with! This was true for me. I appreciated meeting other students, many who were older, who had a passion for learning Italian and visiting Italy. The recommendation is to find a school that caters to the type of students you prefer to learn with.

The only negative that I have found is the price. Classes can be pricey at certain schools, but there are alternatives to the more well known schools that can be affordable. If that works for you, check out: “Italian Language Classes Around The US Are Here For You!” to find some great options.

Learning Italian Online

If your schedule demands flexibility, then online learning might be where it’s at. These days, apps and online courses make learning a new language super convenient. You can use platforms like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone (one of my favorites) from your phone or laptop whenever you have time.

If learning one-on-one is a preference, getting an online tutor might be the right approach for you. You can either find a tutor through a website like iTalki.com which has a large number of teachers and manages payment, scheduled appointments and feedback.

You can also find individual tutors that manage their own time, billing and lesson plans. I’ve tried both of these approaches and I’ve enjoyed both ways. That said, the individual tutors tend to be more expensive and it will be up to you if the cost is worth it.

The benefits of using an app is that you can learn at your own pace. The negatives are that sometimes you miss out on real conversational practice. If online learning sounds like your style, check out: “The Best Way To Learn Italian Online Is Waiting For You” for top recommendations!

Using Italian Culture And Superstitions To Learn

Want to know a well-known secret about learning Italian? One of the most fun ways to learn the language is by diving head first into the culture. Italians are passionate about their traditions, and even their superstitions are a big part of everyday life.

Other superstitions are less familiar. Like: the number 17 being far more scary than the number 13 and when it is important to wear red underwear.

From avoiding the number 17 to never placing a hat on a bed (yes, really), these little quirks are fun and teach you useful Italian words along the way! Get to know them in: “These Italian Superstitions Need To Be Understood And Loved”.

Learning Italian While Traveling

If you really want to learn Italian quickly, you can go straight to the source: Italy! Being fully immersed in the language forces you to pick up new words and phrases quickly. Whether you’re ordering pasta in Rome or asking for directions in Florence, every interaction can be a mini-lesson.

While full immersion has traditionally been held up as the gold standard for language learning, it might not be everyone. People like to use the example of an infant learning to speak their mother tongue because they have to in order to survive. 

That’s a nice story, but it leaves out how it takes years of practice and speaking in “Caveman” English. This while having a dedicated teacher (i.e. a parent) working with them 24 hours a day. Also, there is a need to be more outgoing and extroverted to have these meaningful learning opportunities.

Imagine doing all this work and then finding out that English might not be allowed in Italy. You might be wondering if you’ll have to speak Italian the entire time, even if you are at a beginning level of language learning. Get the answer in: “Is It Illegal To Speak English In Italy For Anyone?”.

Learning The Language Through Italian Idioms

While you won’t become fluent in Italian if all you focus on are idiomatic expressions, learning them can add some depth to your language learning, as well as a bit of fun. One of my favorites is: “In Culo alla Balena”, which means: “In The Ass Of The Whale”. I’ll leave it to you to find the correct response.

If you want to sound more authentic as an Italian speaker, you have to learn idioms. These expressions make conversations more fun and help you understand traditions. For example, one common expression language learners are exposed to is  “In bocca al lupo” (literally “in the mouth of the wolf”) actually means “good luck!”

Do you want to learn how to respond to these? Check out “13 Idiomatic Expressions In Italian You Need To Learn!” for phrases that’ll make you sound like you are “In The Know”.

Understanding Italian Social Norms

Learning language and culture go hand in hand. What’s polite in one country might be rude in another, and Italy is no exception! For example, ordering a cappuccino in the afternoon isn’t considered rude, but you will get some odd looks like the waiter or barista.

There are formalities of eating with other people that should be observed as to not make a “Brutta Figura”, or depending on your heritage you might also be an “Ugly American”. In fact, isn’t your only goal not to make a mistake when dining with others?

If you don’t want to accidentally offend anyone or embarrass yourself, check out our article: “Learn What Is Considered Rude In Italy Without Embarrassment” before you go!

Typing Like An Italian: The Keyboard And Alphabet

If you didn’t know, Italians use a different keyboard than the one we use in the US. While it is still considered a “QWERTY” layout, many of the symbols are in different locations, and some are added (like the “€”). Also, the words like Enter, Shift, Print and End are not surprisingly in Italian.

Another thing you might not have considered are the differences in handwriting between Americans and Italians (possibly all Europeans). This sounds like a little thing, and one that is typically not part of a language course, but imagine getting a phone number and not being able to read the numbers correctly.

Need a crash course? Then check out: “Mastering The Italian Keyboard Layout And The Alphabet” for all the details!

Making Friends In Rome And Practicing Italian

From my experience, the best way to learn Italian is to have a spouse or significant other who is fluent in  the language. Obviously, this isn’t always an option, but there are alternatives that can approach the same level of immersion. Make some Italian friends!

Rome is full of long and short term visitors, as well as locals, who love meeting new people and are interested in perhaps a language exchange. There are tons of ways to connect with others once you are setting in Italy. Language exchange meetups, cafés and even social media groups.

Italians are a supportive group of people and especially if you are learning their language. Luckily, quite a few of them also want to learn English, so find a new friend, partner or romantic interest and work on your language skills. Not sure where to start? Take a look at: “How To Make Friends In Rome While Embracing The Culture”!

Exploring The Roman Dialect

So, I wouldn’t recommend diving too deeply into the Roman dialect until you’ve learned quite a bit of Italian. However, when you visit Rome and realize it feels like a different language they are speaking, you might want to understand why. 

The reason is because Rome has its own way of speaking, full of unique words and phrases. I intentionally didn’t use “dialect” in my description because I’ve read conflicting ideas of whether it is a dialect, or just a collection of accents, idiomatic expressions and velocity. Make no mistake, however, that it is difficult for a beginner language learner to understand.

If you want to understand locals better, check out: “The Roman Dialect Is Tricky And We Are Here To Help You”.

Spend More Time Learning Italian

As you might have expected, there are tons of different ways to learn Italian, from online courses to cultural immersion. The key to success? Find the method that works for you and mix things up to avoid boredom! Whether you’re using apps, taking classes, or practicing with locals, time spent is what truly matters.