Any linguists in the house?

[Manks]

I have just got back from another Italian holiday and am planning to go again next year. Spending as much time as I do over there I should really speak the language, beyond ordering pizza and wine.

Am I better off finding a "beginners Italian" evening class, or should I look for a GCSE Italian course?

Advice appreciated.

Manks

[eldar]

Depends if you want to talk to people, or 'talk proper'.

Beginners course, listen to Italian TV and radio, and avoid speaking English while there.

[Manks]

eldar said:

Depends if you want to talk to people, or 'talk proper'.

Beginners course, listen to Italian TV and radio, and avoid speaking English while there.

More the latter I think.

When I learnt Spanish, I was aware that I was technically better than I was in practice because there was a lot of emphasis on grammar.

[ShadownINja]

http://www.michelthomas.com/

He will have you "thinking" Italian rather than thinking "I want to say 'Hi, can you tell me how to get to Verona?' so what is 'Hi', 'Can you tell me how' and 'get to Verona'?" if you get my meaning.

[Flintstone]

I'm cunning as well if that's any use?

[eldar]

Manks said:

eldar said:

Depends if you want to talk to people, or 'talk proper'.

Beginners course, listen to Italian TV and radio, and avoid speaking English while there.

More the latter I think.

When I learnt Spanish, I was aware that I was technically better than I was in practice because there was a lot of emphasis on grammar.

If you can speak Spanish, and get the grammar, Italian is relatively easy to learn, according to my daughter who speaks both.

Possibly a teach yourself Italian course. In spanish

[karona]

http://www.livemocha.com/

[Dog Star]

Do something that emphasises conversational skills - this above all else will help you.

I went to live and work in France as a computer programmer in an environment where nobody spoke a word of English - it was total immersion. I already had GCE O and A levels in French and a degree. When it came to actually being there in a 100% French business environment you would have been shocked at just how basic my knowledge really was. I *really* started to learn French properly when I lived and worked with them - this was far more valuable than all school lessons I had, so much so that even now, 20 years later, most French assume I might be Belgian (that might be an insult!) because of my accented but otherwise good French.

Same would apply to Italian.

[Minel]

I'm Italian and my wife did the GCSE course, but still couldn't really speak much. I'm a bad teacher (no patience) otherwise I'd have taught her myself. I think the best way is a mix of sound grammar foundations coupled with proper conversations with a native speaker. Being in the country will help too

Edited by Minel on Saturday 4th September 15:29

[Manks]

Minel said:

I think the best way is a mix of sound grammar foundations coupled with proper conversations with a native speaker. Being in the country will help too

So a GCSE and more Italian holidays. Woo hoo!

[V8mate]

Rosetta Stone.

[7mike]

I looked at the title of this thread & opened it just to see who would be first to include the word 'cunning'. Well done Mr Flintstone

[Jimbeaux]

Flintstone said:

I'm cunning as well if that's any use?

Beaten to it!

[vit4]

V8mate said:

Rosetta Stone.

Learning Italian has long been something I've wanted to do but never quite found time for; our school only offered French Is Rosetta Stone as good as it makes itself out to be?

[RDMcG]

vit4 said:

V8mate said:

Rosetta Stone.

Learning Italian has long been something I've wanted to do but never quite found time for; our school only offered French Is Rosetta Stone as good as it makes itself out to be?

its very good indeed. It will give you the basics.