Learning Italian can provide you with many opportunities, both inside and outside of Italy. Over 60 million people worldwide speak Italian, making it one of the most widely-spoken languages after English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. This makes it a very useful language to learn for both travel and business.
The rise of Italian band Måneskin has also made the language more popular with young people. And who could resist the temptation of delicious Italian food? Being able to speak Italian will allow you to order dishes like neapolitan pizza or spaghetti alla carbonara with confidence.
Is it difficult to learn a new language?
It doesn’t have to be difficult! The secret to making learning a language easier (and fun!) is quite simple - don’t stress about the details, learn what interests you, and immerse yourself in the language.
Many traditional learning methods insist on teaching irrelevant words and focusing on grammar. It would take weeks before getting to learn things that you find interesting and useful in the real world. So why not learn phrases about travelling if you love to travel? Or phrases about food if you’re into that. Learning a language through what you already love keeps you motivated, helps you contextualise the language, and makes learning much easier and enjoyable.
Where do I start when learning a language?
Starting to learn a new language can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. The best way to start learning a new language is by finding something that you're interested in. If you love to travel, for example, start by learning about travel. There are plenty of resources out there, from online courses to apps like Memrise, that can help you get started. And once you start getting the hang of things, keep yourself engaged and immersed in the language by reading books, watching movies, or listening to music in the language you're trying to learn. With a little bit of effort, you'll be speaking like a native in no time.
Can you learn a language on an app?
Yes you can! Learning a language with an app is better than textbook learning for a number of reasons:
Learn on your phone wherever you are, whenever you want. This is convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule or are always on the go.
Smart algorithms know your learning levels and keep you challenged. This ensures that you are always making progress and not just repeating the same lessons.
Apps like Memrise are packed with videos of native speakers that show you what the language sounds like in real life. This is helpful for understanding the rhythm and flow of the language.
Memrise also lets you customise your learning journey - choose the phrases most important to you and learn those first. No one wants to be forced to learn to count to 1000 before getting what you really need.