I have a reasonable understanding of Italian grammar - I do not believe in the view that English grammar has a set of rules with some exceptions, whilst Italian grammar has a set of exceptions, which may themselves have their own exceptions, and some rules, very unkind ! I also have a fair vocabulary - my problem is conversational Italian.
Picture the scenario, I am chatting with Ofelia, I should be so lucky. Ofelia speaks to me, I translate it, in my head to English, think what I want to say in English, translate it into Italian then 10 minutes later reply.
Are there any tips ? I am listening and listening to the audio files in the hope that my old ears ( ho ottant'anni) can become attuned to spoken Italian, spoken at the normal conversational speed.
Does one eventually start thinking in Italian, if so how ?
Thank you for any help
John