Best Way to learn Italian, Rozeta Stone?
#21
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I wish I'd posted this question before diving into the Rosetta Stone world...could have saved some serious $$$. I'm one of those who spent $500 on the full RS package and then didn't commit to the work (my fault, not RS). However, one of the things about RS that frustrated me and probably contributed to my not sticking with it is that at times it was very elementary and repetitive (annoying, but it's good for learning a new language), then would jump so far ahead that I didn't have a clue what it was asking me to do. At one point I had to pick up an Ital-Eng dictionary to find out that "io" was "I". I'm usually pretty good on picking up on context clues so not sure how this one escaped me, but until I figured it out I couldn't make sense of the picture of the person thrusting flowers out ;-) livemocha is next on my list to check out...
#22
Join Date: Aug 2011
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I took four years of Italian in college about three years ago, and I was very good. Unfortunately I lost most of it and I have an upcoming trip to Italy this september. I stumbled upon ItalianPod101.com. I found it on Itunes under podcasts and went to the website. Its free to sign up but they will send you an email with an "awesome" one time offer to pay for an upgraded membership. I declined, but I love the free membership package! You get to listen to and download ALL the lessons (Newbie, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced!)There are vocab lists and they send a daily email with a word of the day. The lessons are easy and entertaining and definitely focus on Conversational Italian. (I have not actually listened to any of the newbie or beginner but I assume they are great too) I have considered paying for the better membership but Im not quite clear on what it gets that my free membership doesn't, but then again I just needed a refresher I just saw this thread and hope this helps! Sorry so late, Good Luck!
-Julie
-Julie
#24
Join Date: Jul 2003
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I think if you really want to learn to converse in a foreign language you should really take a group class, it would at least be 10 times (or 1000 times) better than Rosetta or Pimsleur hands down. Learning a language is best done together in a group interaction where you can practice with others and a live native speaker to teach and correct any misconception, mispronunciation & mistakes. IMHO, self learning prerecorded programs can't give you an acceptable skill to converse beyond a few anecdotal practical situations.
#27
IMHO, self learning prerecorded programs can't give you an acceptable skill to converse beyond a few anecdotal practical situations.>>
DAX, though i agree with almost everything else you say [about group lessons and a nattve-speaking teacher] i can't agree about the Michel Thomas CDs/tapes. the strength of his method is that he actually teaches you properly how to use the language so that it is not just situation specific, which is the disadvantage of every other language tape I've come across.
DAX, though i agree with almost everything else you say [about group lessons and a nattve-speaking teacher] i can't agree about the Michel Thomas CDs/tapes. the strength of his method is that he actually teaches you properly how to use the language so that it is not just situation specific, which is the disadvantage of every other language tape I've come across.
#28
Join Date: Feb 2004
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qwovadis, thanks for the info re the Pimsleur sale. For $10 it's worth a try. I just ordered both Italian and French. I've tried to learn French as an adult - taking both Berlitz and Alliance Francais courses - to no avail. Or, I should say I can read kind of OK; at least enough for tourist info or museum displays. But, I seem to have no ear for it. After my Berlitz course I was confident enough and sounded pretty good asking directions in Paris but could not understand a word of the reply. I learned if I ask in French they respond in French and I was clueless. So, it's worth a $10 try to see if Pimsleur could help me out in French.
On the other hand, I can catch and understand some Italian. Maybe that's because of all of the HS Spanish and the fact I live in NYC and hear Spanish every day so my ear is somewhat attuned to what I consider Italian's sister language. It's Italian I really would like to learn as I've just started my quest for Italian dual citizenship which I found I am qualified for. That seems to be a long process but if I'm successful I'd love to be able to speak a bit before I go to look up long lost relatives in Terrasina. Grandpa came here in 1919 and Naturalized after dad was born in 1928 so lucky me - I'm an Italian and just have to claim it.
On the other hand, I can catch and understand some Italian. Maybe that's because of all of the HS Spanish and the fact I live in NYC and hear Spanish every day so my ear is somewhat attuned to what I consider Italian's sister language. It's Italian I really would like to learn as I've just started my quest for Italian dual citizenship which I found I am qualified for. That seems to be a long process but if I'm successful I'd love to be able to speak a bit before I go to look up long lost relatives in Terrasina. Grandpa came here in 1919 and Naturalized after dad was born in 1928 so lucky me - I'm an Italian and just have to claim it.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Margaretlb, can we have a discussion offline? Not sure how to accomplish it, but I would like to speak with you about your success in getting the dual citizenship. I'm helping a friend of mine do this and we've stalled out at the USCIS with a FOIA request trying to see if there is an application on file for his father's naturalization. Shall I send you my email address?
#30
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CYESQ, you can e-mail me at [email protected]
#31
Join Date: Jun 2012
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I find Assimil much better than Rosetta and Pimsleur. I learned Italian this way.
http://assimil.com/method.do?methodes
http://assimil.com/method.do?methodes
#33
I find the following tools very affective they are free
http://quizlet.com/12488842/little-words-flash-cards/
http://www.duolingo.com/
http://www.busuu.com
for one to one tuition on skype
www.verbalplanet.com I use Elisa Polese who charges about Euro 17 per hour and gives homework
http://quizlet.com/12488842/little-words-flash-cards/
http://www.duolingo.com/
http://www.busuu.com
for one to one tuition on skype
www.verbalplanet.com I use Elisa Polese who charges about Euro 17 per hour and gives homework
#34
Join Date: Apr 2013
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Here's what you have to decide: How much time, money and effort do I want to put into learning a language I'm rarely going to use -- and then forget?
There are many ways to learn, but the truth is that if you don't use the language often, you're going to lose it.
I speak Italian (my Italian-speaking grandfather lived with us when I was a kid), and even I get real rusty after not speaking it for a while. I usually have no problem putting sentences together, but listening is another issue. Rustiness means not immediately picking up what people are saying.
So maintaining proficiency means continually using and listening to the language.
Funny side story: I was in a small town in Italy, and asked (in Italian) a local for directions. We spoke for a few minutes, and then he asked, "Are you German?"
I don't look German, and I'm a Yank, so I can only assume that somewhere along the line, my Italian picked up a German accent.
There are many ways to learn, but the truth is that if you don't use the language often, you're going to lose it.
I speak Italian (my Italian-speaking grandfather lived with us when I was a kid), and even I get real rusty after not speaking it for a while. I usually have no problem putting sentences together, but listening is another issue. Rustiness means not immediately picking up what people are saying.
So maintaining proficiency means continually using and listening to the language.
Funny side story: I was in a small town in Italy, and asked (in Italian) a local for directions. We spoke for a few minutes, and then he asked, "Are you German?"
I don't look German, and I'm a Yank, so I can only assume that somewhere along the line, my Italian picked up a German accent.
#35
Two more areas, always good to see an old thread ;-)
italki.com lets you link with lots of nice people who will skype with you to improve your italian while you improve their English. All for free and great fun (though there are pro teachers on the site who will also help you
The there is italianoautomatico.com a great course to get you ear tuned to the language with lots of Utube stuff with italian and english subtitles operating at slow and normal speed. A bit crazy but great fun and worth the time
And finally there is this guy in Lithuania bliubliu fantastic site and not very expensive
Then there is
newsinslowitalian a bit dull but good early on
radio3.rait.it talk radio in Italian, good during the day as the vocab is more limited
oneworlditaliano on utube is pretty fun
italki.com lets you link with lots of nice people who will skype with you to improve your italian while you improve their English. All for free and great fun (though there are pro teachers on the site who will also help you
The there is italianoautomatico.com a great course to get you ear tuned to the language with lots of Utube stuff with italian and english subtitles operating at slow and normal speed. A bit crazy but great fun and worth the time
And finally there is this guy in Lithuania bliubliu fantastic site and not very expensive
Then there is
newsinslowitalian a bit dull but good early on
radio3.rait.it talk radio in Italian, good during the day as the vocab is more limited
oneworlditaliano on utube is pretty fun
#36
Join Date: Sep 2005
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For anyone 60+, you might check into your local college/university. I just learned our Community College offers FREE classes to anyone over 60. Our local University offers free classes to the 60+ crowd as long as you're not working and rely upon retirement income as your main source of income. I just signed up for a summer French course which I will complete right before my trip to France. I will also take another course this fall before my Paris trip in December. My high school French is very, very rusty. I'm looking forward to much improved communications on these two trips.