Pimsleur Italian
Pimsleur Italian
If, as a total beginner, you feel that “Ripeti con me!” goes too fast
for you, or you’re afraid of making mistakes, you might want to start
with Pimsleur, then switch to RCM after a couple of months.
This course prompts you to repeat words and sentences like RCM, but with a more limited range and at slower pace.
Duolingo Italian
Duolingo Italian
Duolingo is the best free app to become familiar with the sentence structures and learn basic vocabulary.
This excellent online Italian course makes virtually any similar paid app useless (Babbel, Busuu, etc.).
Recommended for total beginners up to lower-intermediate level.
Take a couple of lessons (5-10 minutes) every day, then put what you
learned into practice, for example writing your own sentences or using
the new words in your next live lesson.
My personal tip is to read everything aloud even if you’re not prompted to. You’ll learn faster.
Skype Lessons
Italian lessons on Skype
1-on-1 lessons on Skype are the absolutely the best way to master a language like a native.
However, they also happen to be the most expensive way.
Whether you take lessons with me or with other tutors on Italki, you need at least 2 weekly 1-hour sessions to make steady progress.
If you have a busy schedule, you could split your lesson time into shorter bits, like 30-minute lessons, 3-4 times a week.
Language exchange
Language exchange
If you don’t want to spend money on professional lessons, you could try looking for a language exchange partner.
For example, if you’re a native English speaker, go find an Italian who studies English, then teach each other on Skype.
This is not recommended for beginners who need competent guidance.
Also keep in mind that you’re not spending money, but you’re still spending your time teaching your language.
Vocabulary review
Vocabulary review
During a 1-on-1 lesson or a language exchange, you get to hear a lot
of new words and expressions. Your tutor should type them in the Skype
chat box while they introduce them. This way, you can review them later.
As a learner, I do this the day after every lesson. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to review vocabulary from a 1-hour lesson.
If you take paid language lessons or do a language exchange, your
lessons are the main source of vocabulary in a language learning plan
template.
Writing
Writing
Writing is an excellent way to elaborate on what you learned recently and put new words and grammar patterns into practice.
Twice a week, 30 minutes per session is a good pace.
Every serious language learning plan template includes writing.
Youtube
Youtube
From a low-intermediate level on, it’s useful to watch and listen to media made for native speakers.
This could be the news in Italian, TV series, or movies.
For better results, go over the same clip several times and repeat or note down the words that you want to learn.
This too is available for free and is included in every free Italian language study plan template.