Tests I Use

I found these tests that are helping me.

Code:

http://www.goethe-verlag.com/tests/index1.htm

gonna check that out and see what happens...I am so lazy about learning, I just learn 'on the street'!

Has it been really hard?
I don't want to have to depend on Frank for everything.

I know some Italian but i seem to have a mental block at the moment and i just find it impossible to learn anymore. I do learn some new words though when im out and about and from the italian girls i babysit.

So i think as long as you know some italian once you are here you should be able to pick up the rest from daily life etc.

Clare is right. I have been fortunate/unfortunate to have my in laws who speak English (my MIL is English) and my partner went to an English school so all his friends are half English. Then I worked at an English school..so I was a bit slow at the beginning because I didn't need it. Then I went on maternity and it was a case of : if i didn't speak Italian I spoke to no one all day.Once you have the basics it is easy to make progress. But I would strongly recommend yiou doing an Italian course when u arrive and continue doing it until youi are fluent (ie years), I have 3 kids and no time/money for language school ...if you have the opportunity make the most of it and it will be easy peasy !

jmisgro wrote:Has it been really hard?
I don't want to have to depend on Frank for everything.

This depends on your mentality, but mostly it depends on your personal capacity to learn languages. Some people are naturally better at it than others.

My motto is (and this is also the motto I suggest to my ESL students):

If you never make mistakes, you will never learn. Therefore, speak, speak, speak and try your best not to be embarassed.

You can ask people that are close to you to please correct you when you make mistakes. Every day make sure you do something interactive like calling someplace for info, writing your neighbors a note, going to the pharmacy...

Don't expect to learn much from the news programs on TV. TV is an EXCELLENT way to learn languages, but not the news (too hard), so watch as much dumb day-TV as possible (unfortunately there are not many good shows on Italian TV, but just suck it up and put on the radio or Tv constantly.)

Most people are forgiving of your mistakes. Don't worry!

I am hoping for the best!!! Maybe my old brain will kick in and help me out! hahaha

Ciao ladies.
There is a group of us here in the USA studying l'italiano.
It has been difficult for me, although my teacher tells us not to use "difficult". It's negative, and sends out negative vibes.
We DO have to work hard at it.
My husband finally took a class at a local community college. I continue with the "Italian for Travelers style" which includes verb conjugations. For those of you living there, some basic studying would go a long way in understanding what you hear.

My husband, oops, mio murito e io, listen to CDs at least a little each day. We are making progress, slowly, but we won't give up! (We tend to blame it on being 60, but I know I'm not an easy language learner, 'cause I tried it once in high school.)

You have a good group here that can help I'm sure, but we started two Meet-up groups (meetup.com) just for learning and practicing the language. Classes, parties, dinners, happy hours, study groups... and drinking wine really DOES help! (we relax and are willing to try speaking more.)

I have several books and CDs to recommend if anyone wants them.

My husband and I are traveling to Italy a month each year now*. Hopefully this Fall we'll be able to carry on a bit longer conversations, well, at least sentences!
(*This year: Venice, Castelfranco Veneto [father-in-laws birth city] Verona, Bologna [Parma, Rimini, Modena], Cinque Terre, and Varase] Visiting Simionis we have met on Facebook. No relatives -- yet!)

I wish we had your opportunity to spend more time in Italy and really learn the language. Don't miss out. You'll never forgive yourself!