<p>Hey guys, I really need your help!
I'm interested in teaching myself Italian, but I don't know where to get started. I was wondering if you guys knew any ways (books, flashcards, apps, etc.) that I could begin learning Italian without breaking the bank (Rosetta Stone is out of the question, I don't have almost $200 to spend). I already know French (I'm Haitian and I spent 3 years learning it in school) so I think Italian is a good way to challenge myself, while staying inside of the Romantic languages. Anything you guys have to help me is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Rosetta Stone sucks too. Best way would be able to get a good textbook and learn it from there, Google for recommendations.</p>
<p>Make sure you are actually interested in the culture before learning it, don’t learn “just to challenge yourself” if so, you are wasting your time. </p>
<p>@bloodythunder Sorry, I didn’t mean it like I needed another thing to challenge myself, I meant it as: I love to learn about culture as a whole (why I want to study International Relations) but learning French isn’t really proving that to anyone because I already know the language. I might know that I love all things culture (food, clothing, architecture, languages) but to show that to others I need to push my boundaries and learn other languages and actually experience culture. Italian is a good way to me to show that, not only to myself but also others, while staying in a range of languages that is relatively easy for me to understand (compared to learning German or Mandarin).
On another note, I never thought about getting a textbook, so I will head to Google right now and begin researching!</p>
<p>A textbook is usually the worst way to learn a new language but can help tremendously if used with other resources. Everything I’ve heard is that rosetta stone or a program is good and people like it.</p>
<p>@jimmyboy23 I would consider purchasing Rosetta Stone, but it costs too much and the more advanced I want to get in the language with the program, the more I have to pay for advanced level add-ons. As a high school student, that is not reasonable for me, even without the thought of all the money I’m going to spend in senior year.</p>
<p>You should strengthen your memory skills first. I recommend The Memory Book by Harry Loryane. They have really good memory stragies and it works well with learning new languages. :D</p>
<p>@Jchemistry I never thought about that…I’ll look it up. Thanks! @clk2014 It looks helpful and interesting, but I’m still looking into it. Have you used it personally or do you know anyone who has? I wold really like to read some reviews on it before I get started.</p>
<p>I’d recommend Duolingo.</p>
<p>@DiscipulusBonus I have Duolingo! It’s pretty good, but I was looking for a supplement for additional learning, practice, and clarification.</p>
<p>You should check out your local library and see what they have. Also try and find resources with audio and some native speakers to practice with. Use a flashcard system like Anki to help keep up with vocab.</p>
<p>These two resources might help.</p>
<p><a href=“Free FSI Italian Language Courses - Italian Fast, Italian Programmed and Headstart Italian”>Free FSI Italian Language Courses - Italian Fast, Italian Programmed and Headstart Italian;
<p><a href=“Learn 48 Languages Online for Free | Open Culture”>http://www.openculture.com/freelanguagelessons</a></p>
<p>@letmeseetheworld Thanks for the links and the library tip!</p>
<p>A lot of listening practice will help with your accent. You can watch movies in Italian, listen to podcast, watch YouTube videos. Anything. Even if you don’t understand it. Before you know it you’ll start to recognize words you’ve learned and your listening skills will also improve. And try to practice speaking every chance you get, even if it’s just a few words. Knowing a lot of vocab and grammar rules is different from actually trying to speak smoothly. Learning some key phrases, questions and answers will also help too. </p>
<p>For example: </p>
<p>Why are you learning Italian? </p>
<p>I am learning Italian because…</p>
<p>I only know a little Italian.</p>
<p>I don’t understand.</p>
<p>What does ____ mean? </p>
<p>Please speak slowly</p>
<p>Etc…</p>
<p>Check out NSLI-Y</p>
<p>NSLI-Y is not an option for Italian.</p>
<p>Definitely try your library; in fact ask the librarian about resources.
They might subscribe to a language program, or know about an Italian club/group.</p>
<p>Huh. Sorry OP, thanks @skieurope. Still homestay programs might help if you want to get really extreme; check out AFS and other homestay companies</p>
<p>@letmeseetheworld I’ve been using the TuneIn Radio app to help improve my French, so I’ll add an Italian radio to the list and I’ll definitely internalize your advice on the key phrases. @scholarme As soon as I get a chance I will be visiting my local library 
@Apollo11 @skieurope What are homestay programs, and do you know any ones personally that I can look up?</p>
<p>Here’s an example</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/”>http://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/</a></p>
<p>@skieurope That sounds amazing and looks like a really great program! I never thought about doing those, but financially they might not be an option for me 
</p>
<p>To be honest, I had the same problem but my choice of language is Japanese. Don’t go for textbook and other website that doesn’t help. It took me a while to find a app on the ipod just to get a descent one. Like @skieurope said, go study abroad. If you’re thinking about speaking fluently, best choice is study abroad. You learn much more that way then all the material you had to look through.</p>
<p>It might be expensive but it’ll be worth it. As long as you got a plan, then any will work just fine.</p>