I <3 italian. if i move to italy will i learn it okay?

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videotutorialzone

Hi Stefanie,

When I was 19, I moved to Italy from Los Angeles. At the time, I didn't speak a word of Italian, except for the obvious (Ciao, Buongiorno, and a few cuss words, of course).

When I moved there, I went to a small town. The only person I knew there that spoke English was my girlfriend (now my wife), who was native to the town I was living in.

I made it my mission to learn the language as quickly as possible, so I fully integrated myself. Wherever I went, I always had an Italian/English dictionary with me, and I did everything I could to carry on conversations with people.

I spent a great deal of time having meals with my girlfriend's family, and even though she spoke English, I made it my responsibility to communicate in Italian, and only had her help me when I couldn't find an answer myself.

When we were apart, I would find people to speak with and learn their life stories.

Even at home there, while I did have a bunch of movies in English (Before satellite TV), I regularly watched Italian dubbed versions of American Television, even though I didn't understand. I found that while listening, I could watch the lips and get a good sense of what was being said, allowing me to translate on the fly. It was extremely helpful. I remember understanding reruns of The Bionic Woman by reading lips.

I also attended classes in Rome that were for foreigners. The classes were 100% in Italian, which was interesting. This helped me with grammar more than anything.

With all of that, after 3 months I was at a point that I could effectively communicate. After about 6 months, I would say I was proficient in the language, and after about 9 months I was fluent.

At that point, my desire was to dive deeper into grammar, since it is so much more complex than English, build a much better vocabulary (vocabulary in written Italian is quite different than spoken), and to lose my American accent.

About a year after having arrived, I was successful in losing the American accent. I still had an accent, but it was non-descript. People knew I wasn't 'from there', but they couldn't figure out where I was from.

Unfortunately, I moved back to the states after a couple years, and while I travel back and forth very regularly now, my American accent has returned :-(.

I hope this helps. It really isn't a difficult language to learn, but it is difficult to master. You just have to be very determined, and stay away from English as much as possible.

Good luck!

tuesdaysue

Good for you! You've got lots of enthusiasm, which you'll need if you move country.
Most people who come have a reasonable grasp of the language after a year or so, but there's always more to learn - it can be exhausting.
Three bits of advice:
- Read about the more negative aspects of living in Italy before coming - I love it here, but there are very frustrating aspects too! Try "The Dark Heart of Italy" by Tobias Jones for example. Remember - all countries have their downsides, no matter how lovely Italian culture is. Don't let it put you off, but be wise to it.
- Learn as much Italian as you can before coming - it'll make those first disorienting months in the country easier if you can understand a bit and make yourself understood. Try www.learnitalianpod.com, listen to Italian radio e.g. www.radiodeejay.it, try and make your way through a book (the first book you read will be hard, but it gets easier after that!), try "Il Corvo" by Mario Lodi if you can find it on international Ebay or something.
- Stay with Italians when you arrive. WWOOFing is a good way to visit an Italian family cheaply (www.wwoof.it).

iTaLiAnA

yes if you like that much..... just make sure you study the language and practice with talking to people as much as you can :) good luck and have a great time this summer, u will love italy :D

Kate

Hi, I m an italian girl... and I livi in Milan....
i would like to know if u want an apartment ( only a room) in Italy... contact me kategianny@yahoo.it

Gabrio

Italy will be happy to receive you and you will seduced by all of us. You will appreciate our wine, pasta, palaces, fashion, jewelry, be ready to celebrate!

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