Practical Tips for Studying Italian

Study Italian with Alessio, a passionate, experienced teacher offering personalized classes and practical tips for immersive language learning.

Learning Italian is an exciting journey, but it takes more than just memorizing vocabulary lists. To truly master the language, you need to immerse yourself in authentic experiences and practice speaking regularly. With over five years of experience teaching Italian both online and in person in Amsterdam, I bring passion and expertise to help my students succeed. Armed with a Double Degree in Applied Languages and two Masters, I am committed to guiding you through this journey. Let’s explore how individual Italian classes, combined with practical tips, can transform your language learning experience!

Start Talking – Now

You can spend years memorizing vocabulary, but real progress comes from practicing speaking. According to language learning expert Benny Lewis, there’s no time like the present to start talking. Whether it’s hopping on Skype to chat with native speakers or practicing with classmates, speaking Italian regularly is crucial. In our individual classes, I’ll provide you with plenty of opportunities to practice speaking, helping you gain confidence and fluency quickly.

Use Spaced Repetition to Learn Vocabulary

Opera singer Gabriel Wyner, who has mastered four languages, swears by spaced repetition for effective vocabulary learning. This technique involves using flashcards (real or virtual) to focus on words you find most challenging, revisiting them at strategically spaced intervals. In our classes, we’ll incorporate spaced repetition to ensure you’re consistently reinforcing and retaining new vocabulary, making your learning process more efficient and effective.

Learn How to Listen with Minimal Pair Testing

Understanding subtle sound differences is essential for mastering Italian pronunciation and listening skills. Gabriel Wyner suggests using minimal pair testing—listening to word pairs that differ by just one sound. This practice helps you distinguish between similar sounds, enhancing your listening comprehension. We’ll integrate minimal pair exercises into our lessons, sharpening your ability to recognize and produce distinct Italian sounds.

Tell a Story in Italian

Thinking in your target language is a powerful tool for achieving fluency. One way to practice this is by telling a story about your day in Italian. Whether it’s narrating your morning routine or describing what you see on your way to work, this exercise helps you think and formulate sentences in Italian. In our individual classes, we’ll use storytelling techniques to help you internalize the language, making it a natural part of your daily thoughts.

Online Italian Teacher: Alessio!

I’ve been teaching Italian for over five years, both online and in person in Amsterdam, offering individual and group classes. My background includes a Double Degree in Applied Languages and two Masters. Recently, I began another Master’s in Teaching and Promoting the Italian Language and Culture to Foreigners (ITALS) at Ca’ Foscari Venezia University, and I also serve as a teacher assistant at a private school in Amsterdam. My previous masters include Project Management at Rome Business School and Teaching Italian as a Second Language: Methodology and Didactics at IPSEF.

Currently, I have a fantastic group of 10 returning students from around the world, each with unique goals and motivations. This diversity creates a rich learning environment where every class is a dynamic cultural exchange.

Learning Italian is more than just memorizing words; it’s about immersing yourself in the language and culture. With personalized classes, you receive tailored instruction and practical tips to enhance your learning. By starting to talk now, using spaced repetition, practicing minimal pair testing, and telling stories in Italian, you’ll make significant strides in your language journey. Ready to embark on your Italian adventure?