Why learn Italian?

In this lesson, you'll learn the reasons why you should start learning Italian, and how to get started.

Why learn a new language?

There are countless reasons, but perhaps the biggest one of all, is that it could actually change your life! Learning a new language unlocks new pathways that are off limits to you now.

There are certain things that you simply cannot do without having the technical or cultural skills that come from learning a new language.

Like working or living in another country!

Knowing another language provides you with greater job opportunities. You have the freedom to move to another country halfway around the world and be able to earn a living, or even better yet, build a career from it – instead of just being stuck in one place.

Language allows you to visit or live in places that you may never even have considered going, simply because that wasn't a possibility for you. Knowing another language simply gives you more options to choose from.

And learning a new language also helps you to be more open-minded and see the world from a new perspective.

Language and culture go hand in hand. The world is a big place, and by broadening your understanding of other cultures, it allows you to be more empathetic and understanding of the many different ways that people live their lives. With language, you're able to see and experience more, which helps you to grow as a person.

Learning a new language also improves your memory.

Several studies have consistently shown that those who study another language have improved memory as opposed to those who didn't learn another language. Learning another language also keeps your brain healthy by significantly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia. This difference can be as much as 4 to 5 more years of quality life!

And those are just some of the reasons you should learn another language. The list just goes on and on.

Why learn Italian?

Italy has a lot to offer: landscapes, cities, ancient monuments, stunning coastlines. You’ll need plenty time to see them all! And if you learn Italian, your experience will be much more rewarding.

Italy has 51 World Heritage sites. That’s more than any other country in the world. Tourism is one of Italy’s most profitable industries. Despite this, English is not widely spoken outside the main tourist centers. Now Rome, Venice, Florence and other big cities are a must-visit, but if you speak Italian, your experience will be that much more authentic, and you'll be able to take trips to lesser-known cities and cultural sites.

Let's not forget the food! Have you ever heard of pizza? Pasta? Or spaghetti? Well, they're all Italian foods!

Italian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. It’s extremely rich and varies from region to region. If you know the language, you can easily read the menu and enjoy different types of Italian dishes. There’s much more to discover than just pizza and pasta!

Of course, it’s not all just about food.

What about business opportunities?

Italy is a highly developed country with a dynamic economy. It's the the world's second largest wine producer, and the fourth largest manufacturing country. Italian production is renowned all around the world for its high-quality creative goods.

Major Italian industries include fashion, cars, jewelry, and of course, food. Ferrari, Prada, Gucci, and Armani are just some examples of well-known Italian brands. And Milan Fashion Week is one of the four leading fashion events internationally.

Thousands of companies all over the world do business with Italy. So learning Italian will open up many opportunities for you.

How to get started

Getting started is actually very simple. Just start by learning your first word in Italian and build up from there!

The good news though, is that you already know some Italian!

cappuccino, gelato, maestro…

These are all English words of Italian origin. The reverse also applies. Nowadays, Italian speakers use a lot of English words in everyday conversation.

babysitter, gossip, meeting…

Many English and Italian words are derived from Latin. This means that there will be many words you'll be able to easily recognize.

originale, turista, televisione

“original,” “tourist” and “television”

Now, let’s teach you something useful.

Grazie

This means “thank you” in Italian.

That's a very versatile phrase. It could be used in all types of situations, both formal and informal.

Grazie

A very common mistake many learners make when pronouncing this word, is that they don't pronounce the final "E" clearly.

Another aspect that can be difficult for beginners is learning how to roll the "R.”

Grazie