What are the best ways to practice and improve my Italian?

Question

I don't know anybody who speaks Italian so I can not have conversations with them, and I also live in a small town so there are not Italian classes offered (nor in surrounding towns either). I've pretty much taught myself out of books but any suggestions on how to improve would be great. Thanks!

Oh, and the reason why I'm trying to learn Italian so hard is because in June of 2007 I'll be living in bella Italia for a year. Thanks again.

Answer 1

find an online friend that you can atleast converse with, buy some instructional tapes, if you have satellite tv see if theres an italian channel, rent italian movies.

Answer 2

You do not say what element of your language expertise you have got to upgrade. If it have been oral construction (which you have already got a well snatch of), I could say pass to a talk magnificence. If you're anyplace close London, they do dialog categories on the Italian Cultural Institute (Belgrave Square) - you would see me there! If it is grammar consolidation and train you want, I could generally tend to suggest books instead than CD programs or internet sites, considering that that is what I realize and it is what works for me. Everything released via Guerra Edizioni is excellent. I suggest "L'italiano e l'Italia" - there are 2 volumes, a grammar and an recreation e-book. A particularly terrific textbook for complex pupils with in-intensity studying and physical games is "Capire l'Italia e l'italiano" (Lia Buono Hodgart, Guerra Edizioni). Try the Italian Bookshop (Cecil Court) or Grant and Cutler (Great Marlborough Street) for those.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry much wearing your shoes...if you already know pretty well Italian, when you'll be there you'll have all the chances to improve the language and your knowledge will grow fast...anyway as someone suggested you, watch a movie that you particoularly love 100 times and step by step you'll learn more, or at least, you can find a chat just to chitchat to prove your Italian skilling.

Answer 4

Hi there,
if you have 2 improve ur Italian, the only way 2 do it is speaking a lot. Iam available 2 chat w/u. so u can add me on yahoo messenger (or msn messenger) or by email. (if u click on my profile u will find my email address).

Which city are u going to live? Do u come to study or to work? I live in Milan I'm going 2 Phoenix in a couple of month. Where r u from?
Take care

Answer 5

You could start with this course.

http://learnitalian.elanguageschool.net/

I advise you to read newspapers or magazines to learn a large number of words.

You can find here the on line versions of major Italian newspapers:

http://www.repubblica.it
http://www.corriere.it
http://www.lastampa.it
http://www.ilsole24ore.com

The pronunciation is pretty easy, but when you'll move across Italy you will find very different accent.
The verbs are the biggest hurdle, many of them are irregular but don't care if you make mistakes, every Italian can anyway understand what you want to say.

Could you give me some English lesson? ;-)

Answer 6

I'd suggest subscribing to an Italian magazine and/or newspaper. Also, if you're on Yahoo Messenger or other IM programs, seek out Italians to have chat sessions with.

Answer 7

Find some Italian movies on dvd. You need to hear how things are pronounced and books won't do that for you.

Answer 8

ahhh, you take a Italian class when get here? And speak with Italians? We love help! Do not worry....have lots fun!

Answer 9

try an "online school", order books with exercises an then read italian books, watch italian dvds....
You also have to socialise with some italians...

Answer 10

hi i m italian if you want learn italian you can go on italian chat