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Is Learning Italian Useful?

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Is Learning Italian Useful?

Is learning Italian useful? The short answer is yes. Learning any language is useful. It signals to employers that you have an ability with languages, it makes you stand out from other potential candidates and it will help if your company deals directly with Italy. It’s also useful for travel and it gives you a good foundation from where you can learn other languages as well.

When people ask is learning Italian useful? Of course it is, but if they mean is learning Italian the most useful language or would other benefit me more then it’s very likely other languages would be more useful unless you’re living in Europe or working with Italian companies.

However, if you just want to know if it could be useful for you in general then yes it can and let’s take a look into some of these reasons in more depth.

Learning Any Language Is Useful

To start with learning any language is useful regardless of which one you choose. Learning a second language can decrease your chances of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s as more nodes become activated in your brain. It is useful for improved cognitive function in general and the discipline of learning a second language is something you can take into lots of different areas of your life.

It also signifies to an employer that you’re an intelligent person and can be seen as an attractive quality even if you don’t need to use it in your workplace. When asking is learning Italian useful? You are immediately met with a yes because learning a language is so useful even before we look at Italian specifically.

Italy Has 8th Largest GDP In World

Italian in itself is useful from a professional and economic point of view. As well as being a centre piece of Europe, Italy has the 8th largest GDP in the world meaning it is a useful language to learn in a professional capacity. Many countries both inside and outside of Europe deal with Italy and Italian companies and having Italian on your CV can really help you.

Also if your company are partnering with an Italian one and they have the chance to send over some employees to the Italian branch, they’re going to send the ones who already know the language. And the opportunity to live and work in Italy, even if not forever, is not one that people turn down often.

Italian Culture Is Rich And Beautiful

You shouldn’t just look at how Italian can benefit you but also what you can gain from knowing the language. Italian culture is rich and old. Many operas are sung in Italian, Italy has produced great works of art, literature and music. They take pride in their customs, food and culture. Not to mention the country is beautiful and that includes the countryside and the cities.

Learning Italian can open up this hold world for you. And yes you could visit Italy and not learn Italian but being able to speak it allows you to converse with locals, to experience Italy in more depth and to have exchanges you wouldn’t otherwise be able to have. If you plan on spending much time in the country, it’s definitely worth your while trying to get up to an intermediate level at least if you want to get the most possible out of your time there.

Italian Helps You Understand Other Romantic Languages

Learning Italian can give you a foundation to learn other romantic languages from. Although there are different in romantic languages from grammar points to vocabulary there are also a lot of similarities and once you’ve learned one romantic language it becomes much easier to learn another. Getting your head around conjugation, gendered nouns and new vocabulary is tricky but once you’ve done it one time it becomes a lot easier to do it again. Italian is also a relatively easy language to learn compared to French so if you choose to learn Italian or Spanish first, you’ll be better equipped to tackle a language like French next.

And even if you don’t choose to learn another romantic language, knowing Italian will help you to understand others with greater ease. When speaking slow enough and keeping the topic simple an Italian person can feasibly speak in Italian to a person speaking in Spanish and they will get the gist of what the other is saying even if they can’t understand everything.

So to summarise is learning Italian useful? It most definitely is. And don’t be put off if you don’t see any real world application for your Italian learning, if you enjoy it and you like having something to work towards then that in itself is enough. Goals can be intrinsically motivated, we don’t always need to be shooting for something more. The pleasure that you get out of learning Italian would be enough to answer yes to this question let alone all the benefits that come with it.

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Suggested Article: Best Italian Textbooks

Learning French and Italian at the same time

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Learning French And Italian At The Same Time

Learning French and Italian at the same time is no easy feat. They are incredibly similar as they are both romance languages, making it easy to mix them up. If you start learning them both from scratch at the same time then you’re likely to run into some difficulties. However, if you’re willing to stagger your learning or if you’re just determined you’re going to make it work then there are some things you can do to make it easier for yourself and to make it more likely that you’ll succeed.

Learn One Language To An Intermediate Level First

If you’re able to, try to learn one language to intermediate level first rather than learning French and Italian at the same time from a beginner’s level. Once you have a solid understanding of a language at an intermediate level, you’re less likely to forget that language when you learn a new one, especially one as similar to French as Italian. If you use the European framework for reference then a solid B2 is a good level to get a language up to before learning another.

You might feel impatient and not want to do this but if you can then it will make you less likely to mix the two languages up and it will also make the second language easier to learn as you’ve already learnt one and you’ve had an insight into grammar from another language. You’ve also had a chance to see what techniques work for you and what were a waste of time which should help you progress more quickly with the second language.

If you really can’t wait and want to learn them both at the same time from scratch then keep reading and we’ll look at some tips that might come in useful for you.

Study French And Italian Every Day

If you’re determined to learn French and Italian at the same time then make sure you study each language every day. This is better than doing French one week and Italian the next. Studying them every day will get you used to switching between the two which will come in useful when you’re trying not to mix them up.

Set aside dedicated times of the day to learn French and dedicated times to learn Italian. Even if you can only give fifteen minutes to each language each day. Sit down with your French materials and your French brain and study French, then when you sit down to study Italian later you can get yourself in the zone for Italian. This kind of learning should get you more used to swapping between the two languages.

Try To Speak Each Language Every Day

Output of a language is a great way to start thinking and formulating thoughts in that language. Speaking both French and Italian every day will quickly get you used to using these two languages and will help you switch between your French brain and your Italian brain much more quickly.

In the early days you can this by speaking to yourself, narrate what you’re doing or treat this exercise like a verbal diary. Writing the language could also help. Another great technique is to record yourself speaking the language each day. Not only is this a way to make sure you definitely get the practise in but you’ll also be able to look back and see how you’ve improve a few months down the line which can be great motivation when you reach that inevitable intermediate plateau.

Once you’ve gained a bit of confidence then you can start looking for language partners. You can try websites like conversation exchange or italki to find language partners and do exchanges with them. Maybe you’ll even be able to find some Italian and French friends and then your language skills can really start to flourish.

Find The Materials That Suit You

Not everyone learns in the same way. If you’re someone who finds textbooks boring and slow then you don’t want to buy an Italian textbook and a French textbook that you have to wade your way through. Try different things out and see what helps, do you enjoy Duolingo? Do you like memorizing vocab or working through a textbook? Do you like functional language use where you want to learn vocabulary in preparation for upcoming exchanges. No two people learn a language exactly the same so find out which method is most useful for you.

Make A Note Of Mix Ups And Work On Them

Mix ups will happen as the two languages are very similar but if this happens don’t worry, instead make a note of them and work on them. If they are common mistakes then you could drill them in each language, or actively practise using them. When you’re coming up to something in Italian where you’d normally substitute in some French, slow down, concentrate and really work on using the Italian. As this becomes more natural for you you’ll be able to speed up without using mistakes.

Learning French and Italian at the same time can be difficult but if you’re determined and you like a challenge there’s no reason you shouldn’t go for it. If you choose to this then these are some tips that could make it a little easier for you:

  • Learn one language to an intermediate level first
  • Study French and Italian every day
  • Try to speak each language every day
  • Find materials that suit you
  • Make a note of mix ups and work on them

Finally, good luck with your language challenge.

Article: Learning French and Italian at the same time

Suggested Article: Best Italian Textbooks To Sky Rocket Your Italian

Italian Boy Names That Start With L

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Italian Boy Names That Start With L

Italian names just like French, Spanish and Portuguese names are very nice to listen to. They often have multiple syllables, they use lots of vowels, and quite frankly they’re often just beautiful names. Whether you’re Italian or not, whether you’re looking for a baby name or the name of a character in your book, if you just love names it doesn’t matter, we’re here to help you find some amazing Italian boy names that start with L. The selection might not be enormous but we believe these are some of the most common and attractive Italian boy names starting with L to give you that European sound that you’re after.

  • Lando
  • Largo
  • Lave
  • Lazaro
  • Lazzaro
  • Leandro
  • Leo
  • Leonardo
  • Leone
  • Lorenzo
  • Luca
  • Lucan
  • Lucca
  • Luciano
  • Lucio
  • Ludo
  • Luigi
  • Luka

The great thing with Italian boy names that start with L is that there are many famous Italians with these kinds of names. Everyone’s heard of Leonardo da Vinci and Leonardo DiCaprio so if you choose to name your child this it might be unusual but people will have heard of it and they know how to pronounce it.

Italian names are also often associated with the renaissance or Rome or the mystique of being European which seems to attract people from Anglophonic countries. If you’re choosing an Italian name for your child then this could work to their advantage. If you’re looking for something unusual but you still want to pick something that is actually a name then choosing an Italian name could be a great compromise as they are real names but if you live in Australia, the UK, Canada or the USA there aren’t going to be many people that also have that name which will make your child stand out.

As you can see many of the names in the list have multiple syllables, it isn’t often you will find monosyllabic names in Italian which gives them part of their charm. Two and three syllable names are probably the most common but you’ll be able to see three and four syllable names in the list as well. You’ll also probably notice that not one name in our list only has one vowel. Vowels are one of the things that make Italian so pleasing to the ear so it should come as no surprise to you that these Italian boys names that start with L are packed with vowels.

If you’re not only interested in Italian boy names that start with L but you’re also interested in learning a bit of Italian then why not take a look at some of our favourite Italian textbooks to get you started. And if you think we’ve missed any great Italian boys names off our list then let us know in the comments below so we can add them.

Benefits Of Using An Italian Textbook

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Benefits Of Using An Italian Textbook

There are lots of ways to study Italian and these keep increasing as technology improves and we have more options. However, regardless of the advances in technology, people seem to still enjoy using Italian textbooks to study.

Some people question ‘should I use an Italian textbook?‘ or ‘should I be using a more hands on approach. Yet regardless of where they stand, Italian textbooks continue to be one of the most popular ways of learning. Obviously not the only way, but they are often included in people’s methods of studying.

So what are some of the benefits of using an Italian textbook?

You Can Check Your Italian Progress

Unless you were very unfortunate in the textbook you chose, you should be able to check your progress as you go. That’s because the vast majority of Italian textbooks come with exercises that you can complete as you go. Then once you’ve completed these exercises you can check your answers in the back of the book and see how you’re doing.

You Can Work At Your Own Pace

A lot of people find Italian classes quite slow. They only go once a week for one or two hours and don’t find themselves progressing that quickly. One of the benefits of using an Italian textbook is that you can work through the material at your own pace. Whether you’re a fast learner who wants to work their way through the material as quickly as possible or if you like to take your time, an Italian textbook is perfect as you can choose the pace that you work through the material rather than a teacher

It Teaches You Things In A Logical Manner

Textbooks have been produced for years to teach people Italian. The creators of textbooks know which order it’s most useful to learn different material in and set these out in the book accordingly. Maybe you’re going to find some of the material a bit dull to start with but the textbook will take you through the information in the most logical order to help with your learning.

Obviously a class should do this as well but if you’re self studying and jumping around using different tools a textbook can be the perfect way to teach you the material you need to learn at the different stages of your Italian journey.

They’re Portable And Easy To Carry Around

Unless you buy an incredibly heavy duty textbook, most Italian textbooks are portable and pretty easy to carry around with you. Which means you can study Italian on the go. You can take the textbook to work with you and brush up on your Italian there or if you’re meeting friends for a coffee you can arrive half an hour early and whip out your textbook for some quick studying.

No matter what other methods of learning Italian you’ve chosen, we would highly recommend an Italian textbook to help with your learning. Our only tip would be don’t spend a lot of money buying several books, buy one and work your way through it before you move on. That way you’ll be much more likely to complete the textbook and see the benefits.

Where Can I Buy An Italian Textbook?

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where to buy an italian textbook

So you’ve decided to learn Italian which is great news! And now you just need to find an Italian textbook to help you with your learning. Well you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places where you can buy an Italian textbook from.

Where you can buy Italian textbooks will depend on where you live, but here are some great online stores where you should be able to find an Italian textbook that matches your needs.

Remember that using an Italian textbook alone won’t teach you Italian, you need to do other things to supplement your Italian textbook in order to make sure that you’re practising all of your skills and not just working your way through grammar and vocabulary.

Amazon

The number one place you can find Italian textbooks is Amazon. Amazon has a large selection of Italian textbooks and it can ship to pretty much anywhere in the world.

But remember that Amazon doesn’t have everything, and you might be able to find Italian textbooks cheaper elsewhere.

So with this in mind, make sure you keep reading and take a look at some of our other suggestions.

European Bookshop

The European Bookshop is a great resource where you can find textbooks and fiction books in various European languages, Italian included of course. The textbooks and fiction books available are suitable for learners of all levels so whether you’re a beginner or an upper intermediate there will be something there for you.

And if you’re interested in learning any other European languages they also have books in Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Russian.

Blackwells

Blackwells is a fantastic bookshop based in the UK that serves as the main academic bookshop for UK universities.

As well as finding Blackwells online (if you’re not from the UK), you will find a store in all of the major cities near a university campus.

Blackwells has a section dedicated to foreign languages which includes Italian where you will not only be able to find Italian textbooks to help you study but also Italian fiction books if you’d like to improve your comprehension skills.

Italian Bookshop

Another great resource is the Italian bookshop itself. The Italian bookshop is an online store that specialises in Italian books. The Italian bookshop has a range of textbooks available for learners of different levels so you should be able to find one that matches your learning needs.

In addition to textbooks, the Italian bookshop also stock a range of fiction books so you can practise your reading skills and get immersed in some Italian literature. And don’t worry, you don’t have to wait until you’re fluent, they stock fiction books for beginners to so you can get started with your reading straight away.

These are just some of the places where you can buy Italian textbooks. Make sure you check out local bookstores where you’re from to see if they have anything. Unfortunately many local bookshops don’t stock these because the demand is low but is you live near a university be sure to check out their bookstore and you might be pleasantly surprised.

How To Supplement An Italian Textbook

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How To Supplement An Italian Textbook

Using an Italian textbook is a fantastic tool for learning Italian There are an enormous amounts of benefits of using an Italian textbook.

However using an Italian textbook isn’t going to help you learn Italian on it’s own. In order to learn Italian you need to be studying in other ways as well, so you can supplement your learning.

Here are some of our favourite ways you can study Italian alongside your textbook.

Italian Speaking Practise

One of the issues that Italian textbooks have is that they don’t give much of an opportunity to practise speaking, but this doesn’t mean that an Italian textbook isn’t useful, just that you have to find opportunities to practise speaking elsewhere.

If you are in Italy then obviously you are off to a huge advantage as you will be able to speak Italian every day in a variety of exchanges. However, if you’re learning from your own country which may be more likely then don’t worry, there are still things you can do to practise speaking.

Using websites like italki and Conversation Exchange, you can find languages partners. Simply schedule in a language exchange for once a week and you’re off.

If you’re a bit nervous speaking Italian with another person just yet then why not start narrating what you’re doing in the house and talking to yourself in Italian. You might feel a bit silly but it will help to make the sounds seem more natural in your mouth.

Find A Great Italian Series

Another thing you can do is to find a great Italian series. If you watch the series with the audio in Italian while reading Italian subtitles then you’ll be able to improve your listening skills and reading skills at the same time.

Another great thing about this method is that it enables you to listen to more colloquial language and come across natural speech patterns. This may be difficult for you to understand at first but as your Italian comprehension improves you’ll be happy that you chose to start watching them.

And the best thing is that you don’t even have to search that far. Netflix is getting better and better for foreign language series every day. There are a load of Italian series you can choose from on Netflix and work your way through.

Set The Language On Your Devices To Italian

This is one of our favourite tips for getting more exposure to a language. If you want to learn Italian then you want to see it written down often, you want to hear it often and you want to be exposed to it often. So a way to increase this exposure is to set the language on your mobile, tablet or laptop to Italian. Then you’ll be seeing it every single day and will start to pick up words that you might not otherwise have had exposure to.

The more you see the more natural it will seem to you and the more you’ll be able to pick up.

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