Learning Italian

So in January I decided that I would start the new year being pro-active (generally writing more) and perhaps doing something different. I came across someone on Facebook who wanted more people to join them in learning Italian as she wanted to create a group (rather than having a one to one session). So I messaged her. It turned out the time she was having her lessons didn’t suit me so I left it. But a day or so later, the tutor made contact with me. After a few messages, all was arranged for her to come over. Now I’m having Italian lessons!

I’m totally new to this…

Now, I’m ok (ish) with a bit of French. I can order a milky coffee and tell the time when I’m over there. But my Italian is limited to ‘Ciao’, ‘Prego’ and ‘Bambini’. All very random. Darrel used to speak it very well with his dad being half Italian. However he’s getting rusty with it so he joins me in the sessions.

I’m about to have my third lesson and I’m thinking it’s not really going in. All the verbs and rules – and the exceptions to the rules are confusing me. My memory isn’t particularly sharp either right now. I call it baby brain, but not sure how long I can keep that up for..

So I am remembering the odd word like caffe for coffee (a very important one to know) and some general objects around the house. But we have been told to start practising sentences! I know ‘per favore’ is ‘thank you’ but I need to remember the bits before that. Even worse, I thought a clever trick would be to put them on the fridge using magnets so it would sink in a bit. However, I have a couple of Italian sentences up there with no translation so I’m forgetting what it all means. D’oh! More magnets are in order. I picked these up from Lidl which was just by chance.

Brain Fog!

If my husband started to talk to me in Italian it may help but my confidence levels are pretty low. I’m so self conscious trying to pronounce the words and rolling my ‘R’s. I know all that can happen is I’d get it wrong and I have to just get over that.

So techniques for learning (and I’d better get some practise in quick before this evening!) I guess would be writing it down and reading it back. Then for me taking the book away and trying to remember. Music is another – I’m limited to Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli singing Perfect Symphony though at the moment. Also having access to Italian telly with English subtitles, or watching movies. It’s getting used to hearing those sounds.

Then there’s actually going over there. We are discussing another road trip this summer over to Terni with a few stops on the way and way back. Going out and talking with friends is the best way. I’d even learn all the swear words!

So let’s see how far I get with this. In six months time, I’m hoping to be able to order my food at a restaurant in Rome and getting it right! Or just having the confidence to look the locals in the eye, rather than shying away because I can’t say a single word to them. Unless it’s ‘sorry..I’m English’. I just wish I’d started learning a long time ago…

I’m determined to stick with it. It just might take a while before I actually get the hang of this…