Truly words of wisdom, Chris! Sure, some will be able to get along without speaking Italian, but their lives will be so socially impoverished that they'll be the first ones back on the plane home. You will have ex-pat friends and Italian friends - you'll need both, but your Italian speaking friends will open up their world to you, but only if you can understand what they're telling you. No, it's not easy, but anything that requires a little effort is always worth the reward! Buon Natale a tutti, Chris!
One thing that helped me learn Greek before the internet days was watching TV in Greek. You will pick up words without realizing it. Watching TV in another language helps with any .
Great input Beverly. I had heard that until TV came out and was widely available a lot of people spoke only dialect and once they started watching TV they learned the generalized Italian that everyone speaks. It is a great way to get up and rolling and get your ears accustomed to it. Happy Christmas Beverly!
50 years ago, I came to live in Italy with no internet or courses. Only an English-Italian vocabulary plus Topolino, the weekly Italian Mickey Mouse comic book. Simple language and the action demonstrating the words. From there you graduate to tougher things. And don't be afraid of being embarrassed
Buon Natale! Very good advice. I moved to Germany at 50 years old without having much German language skills, once here I had to swiftly learn, got a job after 7 months on the railway, then after that worked in a callcenter in German. Still get asked if I am from the Netherlands, I'm not but my accent is dutch for some reason.
Wow! Very well done! I find that the phone calls took a long time for me to be comfortable with. It is a challenge when you don't have facial cues. Super! Merry Christmas and thank you for writing!
I have taken 3 semesters of Italian several years ago, but have forgotten everything. I'm doing Duo lingo and Rosetta Stone, but do you know of a good app that just drills the verb conjugations? I had a spanish teacher in high school that did it and it really did help me.
I was in a Italian hospital for a surgery 3 weeks ago. My Italian is not perfect, I still have difficulty with verbs. Some of the staff where worried that I would not understand them. I understood 90% and they change the words for the ones I did not know. If you do not learn any language that you would need you are cutting yourself of so much.
Hi Sylvie, I hope you are much better now. Yes thank God I knew Italian when I was in the hospital. It is amazing what you can do and how much you understand when you really need it.
It is difficult to find people who speak English well enough to assist you in Calabria. Happily they are all well versed in Google Translate. That said, there is no substitute to being able to communicate readily in Italian.
I'm so sad that my mother did not speak Italian to me and my sister 😢. She used to speak it with the older immigrants and with my aunt at Christmas time. To keep the gifts a secret. Lol
My dad came to America from Italy when he was 12. After he and Mom passed I asked my oldest sister why he never taught us Italian. She said Mom couldn't speak it, she was American, didn't want to learn Italian, and didn't want us to learn because she didn't want us to talk and her not understand!
Truly words of wisdom, Chris! Sure, some will be able to get along without speaking Italian, but their lives will be so socially impoverished that they'll be the first ones back on the plane home. You will have ex-pat friends and Italian friends - you'll need both, but your Italian speaking friends will open up their world to you, but only if you can understand what they're telling you. No, it's not easy, but anything that requires a little effort is always worth the reward! Buon Natale a tutti, Chris!
Hi Jon, Thank you and you are so right. Buon Natale to you guys!
Very timely video for me! I just bought a home in Italy and need to learn the language. Thank you for the encouragement!
Congratulations!😊
Wonderful! Congratulations!
Congrats! Where?
One thing that helped me learn Greek before the internet days was watching TV in Greek. You will pick up words without realizing it. Watching TV in another language helps with any .
Great input Beverly. I had heard that until TV came out and was widely available a lot of people spoke only dialect and once they started watching TV they learned the generalized Italian that everyone speaks. It is a great way to get up and rolling and get your ears accustomed to it. Happy Christmas Beverly!
Gosh you are so inspiring! Thanks for the great pep talk! We can do it!
Yes you can! I am so glad it helps!
50 years ago, I came to live in Italy with no internet or courses. Only an English-Italian vocabulary plus Topolino, the weekly Italian Mickey Mouse comic book. Simple language and the action demonstrating the words. From there you graduate to tougher things. And don't be afraid of being embarrassed
Hi Carol! Wonderful! It just shows that with some attention you can learn it. Super well done!
Buon Natale e Buon Capodanno amici
Grazie! Same to you!
Great video, Chris 😊
Thank you Janet!
Couldn't agree more, Chris~! Buon Natale 🎄😍 ~ Croce & Carol Amato
Grazie Cari amici! Spero che il tuo Natale sia stato il migliore di sempre! Buon 2025!
@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC Grazie mille~! 💚
Buon Natale! Very good advice. I moved to Germany at 50 years old without having much German language skills, once here I had to swiftly learn, got a job after 7 months on the railway, then after that worked in a callcenter in German. Still get asked if I am from the Netherlands, I'm not but my accent is dutch for some reason.
Wow! Very well done! I find that the phone calls took a long time for me to be comfortable with. It is a challenge when you don't have facial cues. Super! Merry Christmas and thank you for writing!
I love reading ¡Hola! In Spanish. Regular Spanish as is spoken. I read Casa Facile for Italian!
Great idea Catherine! Thank you for the tips!!
great tips
thank you Boyd! Merry Christmas!
@@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC buon natale
I have taken 3 semesters of Italian several years ago, but have forgotten everything. I'm doing Duo lingo and Rosetta Stone, but do you know of a good app that just drills the verb conjugations? I had a spanish teacher in high school that did it and it really did help me.
Hi Maggie Unfortunately I don't however I found a book of 501 Italian verb drills and found the very helpful. I think it is still available on Amazon
I was in a Italian hospital for a surgery 3 weeks ago. My Italian is not perfect, I still have difficulty with verbs. Some of the staff where worried that I would not understand them. I understood 90% and they change the words for the ones I did not know.
If you do not learn any language that you would need you are cutting yourself of so much.
Hi Sylvie, I hope you are much better now. Yes thank God I knew Italian when I was in the hospital. It is amazing what you can do and how much you understand when you really need it.
What I've been told is that if you make a mistake the locals will help you.
They always have for me!
In CALABRIA.... You need to need to learn the language !!!!!!!!! Maybe not so much in Rome and Milan. No one speaks English in Calabria.
It is difficult to find people who speak English well enough to assist you in Calabria. Happily they are all well versed in Google Translate. That said, there is no substitute to being able to communicate readily in Italian.
Is there a good site for finding an online tutor?
I'm so sad that my mother did not speak Italian to me and my sister 😢. She used to speak it with the older immigrants and with my aunt at Christmas time. To keep the gifts a secret. Lol
My dad came to America from Italy when he was 12. After he and Mom passed I asked my oldest sister why he never taught us Italian. She said Mom couldn't speak it, she was American, didn't want to learn Italian, and didn't want us to learn because she didn't want us to talk and her not understand!
Hi Gary, I have heard this a lot, that those who cameleer did not teach it to their kids. I understand but it would have been a golden opportunity.
Well it is never too late!
Absolutely...why move to italy if they are not going to speak the language...How do people think this? Excuses....lol Great info my girl.
Thank you so much Gina! Merry Christmas!
Even the babies in Italy speak Italian. It's just not that difficult to learn, if you are patient and persistent.
Very true! It takes study and attention.