Learning another language

[aam1234]

I've always wanted to learn Italian. Thought about taking classes but my working hours make it a bit challenging to do that. So bought some books, but they are tough to learn from and very boring. Then recently somebody suggested using Rosetta Stone cd's (you can find their site here (http://www.rosettastone.com/ind/catalog?language=ita)). So was wondering if anybody used their software, if so, what do they think about it. Or maybe somebody can suggest another way to learn the language, short of going to Italy.

[Citizensmith]

Marry an Italian who lives near you.

[sixshot]

Not sure the marrying idea would work, I live in China, my girlfriend is Chinese and most of my friends are Chinese. And after 2 years my Chinese is terrible. but my photography is ok!!

[Pekka]

I've always wanted to learn Italian. Thought about taking classes but my working hours make it a bit challenging to do that. So bought some books, but they are tough to learn from and very boring. Then recently somebody suggested using Rosetta Stone cd's (you can find their site here (http://www.rosettastone.com/ind/catalog?language=ita)). So was wondering if anybody used their software, if so, what do they think about it. Or maybe somebody can suggest another way to learn the language, short of going to Italy.

Reading, listening and especially talking and writing is the key. There is no way around it. Get a satellite dish (There are about 20 italian channels free, at least on Hotbird), get a dictionary, joing Italian language forums, ask embassy for Italian activities and courses...

[Redbird_xo]

From personal experience in learning a second language, I would think learning from books or classes or other activities to that nature won't get you very far. I say living as a local would greatly enhance the fluency of the language (assuming the person actually speaks the local language).

[Rob612]

I can turn you my personal experience. Assume that part of my family lives in Naples, FL as the first point. Then think that until 12 I took English lesson ad nauseam, with very, very poor results, even getting the best courses available (never been a great student, perhaps). At the end of these courses I wasn't even able to ask for a sandwich.

For my 13th birthday Dad came to me with an envelope and told me. "Got a gift for your birthday: this a round trip plane ticket to your cousins place (at that time Florence, SC). From there, I want you to go visitin your aunt (at that time, Bonita Springs, FL). You will have to manage the trip from SC to FL by yourself, but ask your cousin to help. You will have enough money to handle all your needs (that was 1974, I think I've got something like a thousand bucks, do not remember exactly).Your flight will be in 10 days" And left me absolutely astonished. After a few minutes, e went back to me and here he goes "I forgot to mention that you have to change flight in NY, you'll arrive at JFK in around noon and you will leave for (I think was Charlotte) around 7 PM, so yo have plenty of time to move from an airport to the other."

Well... to make a long story short, I went back in Italy abouth a month later, just before the shool beinning (my birthday is in August). And my English was good enough that I never had to study it anymore at school. I never did another homework in the following years (except those where literature was involved, of course :D).

After that experience, I spent a lot of time in the US (I even used to have a Green Card a few years later, but that is somethng that unfortunately I had to let expire for family reasons).

It was tough, I can tell you, but it worked out fine. Only at that point I realized that foreing languages were easy enough for me to learn as long as I did not have to study with a method.

Whats the moral of this story ? As somebody else have already pointed out, live the language and learn it. It just comes out naturally. Sure, you won't be perfect, but at the end you'll find yourself extremely comfortable.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention that my cousin, that was aware of my Dad's intentions actually helped me out a little bit. With a Greyhound trip from SC to Florida one way, and with Amtrack for the return :D

[CyberPet]

My husband had to learn Swedish by himself, even if the government offer free schooling for immigrants. Problem is that you don't get paid studying, so to be able to support himself hubby had to find a job. I think the best way to learn a language is to more or less put you in a situation where you have no choice than to learn it. Of course hubby had the advantage of most swedes knowing english, but still... he had to learn to understand swedish on his own.

My mother wanted to learn spanish in her old age (spanish people speak fast btw) and she went on a trip to Spain for a few months, and signed up to some classes. She was boarded at a local woman's house and that lady did not speak any other language than spanish, so mom had to get by with the little spanish she picked up at school and sign language. She said that was the best way to practice the spanish she was taught in school, and the lady corrected her if she was doing some errors. My mom doesn't speak much spainsh today, but she still does understand both written and spoken spanish.

Italian is a language I wish to learn too.... I took some lessons 25 years ago and all I remember now is how to order ice cream and beer (more or less the essencials anyway). :D

[Claire]

Yep, go to the country or hang out with people speaking the language. In addition to that of course study through books, music and TV. Still, it's all about speaking to others that help the most.

[Citizensmith]

What may be easier is finding a good, authentic, italian restaurant and making friends with some of the staff. Assuming that is that some of the staff are italian.

[aam1234]

Thanks to everybody for the advice and help. The idea of spending few weeks in Italy taking a crash course in the language is certainly doable (taking the camera along of course).

Few mentioned music as a way to learn, and I definitely agree. Listening to music helped my English tremendously.

On that note, can anybody suggest few names of Italian musicians I can listen to. I have all Andrea Bocelli's CDs but I'm more interested in good pop type of music. You know, like Elton John, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart kind of pop. I only know Ramazzoti, who else would you suggest.

Thanks