Italy is a complex place to navigate for international residents, not least because Italy has one of the worst levels of English proficiency in Europe and many public services and bureaucratic matters lack any type of English-language information.
We recently asked readers of The Local to share their views on whether this meant that it was impossible to live in Italy without knowing at least some Italian.
The majority of respondents said living in the country without any Italian was doable but not ideal due to a number of major disadvantages, in particular the need to rely on Italian speakers to navigate complicated bureaucratic matters, including those related to residency permits, healthcare, housing and taxes.
Further, multiple respondents said that while it may be possible to get by in Italy without speaking Italian, settling in and integrating was a completely different kettle of fish.
But how can people living in Italy and struggling with Italian improve their language skills? Here’s what our readers advised.
‘Use multiple paths to learning’
The majority of respondents suggested a multi-faceted approach to learning Italian, involving traditional learning methods such as in-person or online language courses alongside a number of habits to incorporate into daily life, including watching, reading or listening to Italian media and speaking with locals.
Jianna Kristiana, an American national living in Castelvetrano, Sicily, said: “Use multiple paths to learning: online apps, YouTube videos, books, tapes, music, and most of all, make local friends. Speaking is the best path to learning.”
READ ALSO: 'You'll survive but not settle': Can you move to Italy without any Italian?
Christine O'Grady, a Canadian national who lived in Italy for 11 years, had similar advice: “Take an Italian course, learn the basic grammar, you have to memorize the verbs! Watch Italian TV, read the newspaper everyday.”
Several readers stressed the importance of consuming Italian media to improve proficiency.
Linda Poulnott, a Scottish national in Naples, said: “I started watching Italian programmes on TV and reading kiddies’ books/comics. It was helpful to watch films I’d already seen in English. In that way I was able to concentrate on the language, as I already knew the story.”
American-Italian national Judith Ward, living in Bergamo, Lombardy also advised learners to “listen to the radio and or the TV” in order to “get used to the rhythms of the Italian language”.
‘Speak Italian at every opportunity’
Many respondents said that venturing into daily conversations with locals was one of the best ways to quickly improve language skills, as well as expand your vocabulary.
James Charney, a US national living in Orvieto, said: “Immerse yourself in situations where much Italian is spoken. And dive in to do your best to speak. Italians are very forgiving and encouraging of anyone trying their language.”
READ ALSO: Boh, mah, eh: Five strange noises Italians make and what they mean
Ian, an Australian also living in the central Umbria region, advised learners to “speak [Italian] at every opportunity, even if you butcher it”.
“Many Italians will modify and slow their speech to help you as well. They will also gently correct you, which is really beneficial,” he said.
While bars and cafes are a good place to engage locals in conversation (you’ll rarely find an Italian who’s not happy to talk to you about local wine or coffee), there are several alternative opportunities to speak with native speakers depending on where in the peninsula you live.
Susan Palmer, a Briton living Abruzzo, said: “Join the local choir, learn to play cards with the locals, ask local ladies if they’ll teach you how to cook. Join locals at the vineyards picking grapes or olives,”
Getting an Italian partner may also work wonders in your journey to Italian fluency.
Ellie Rose Elliott, a British national living in Puglia, said: “For a woman, the best way to become fluent in Italian is to get yourself an Italian boyfriend. He will refuse to speak English and your problem will be solved, though it may be painful in the short term.”
Let go of fear
Another point made by multiple readers was the importance of not letting fear get in the way of your learning process.
A British reader in the Marche region said: “Don't worry about making a fool of yourself. Imagine you are a child in Italy and learning the language by talking to friends and family.”
Several respondents also said that Italians were generally very understanding and happy to help them get greetings, words and phrases right.
READ ALSO: Buongiorno, buonasera, buonanotte: How to greet people like a local in Italian
A reader in Verona, Veneto, said that “Italians don't mind if your Italian is not perfect, they will help you and be pleased that you are trying!”
“Just go out there and make a fool of yourself! The Italians are very forgiving!” Valentine Hornsby, a British national living in Puglia, said.
Do you agree with the advice given by our readers? Do you have any additional tips that you'd like to share with us? Let us know in the comments section below.
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