Why learn Italian? That is a very a good question and a good reply will be to say "why not?" After all, it is beautiful language that is used not only in Italy but in different parts of Europe as well.

1. But the best reason will probably be for you to be able to interact with the locals if ever they don't understand English. This will make it easy for you to find your way if you get lost, buy tickets, find the bus stop or read important notices that are posted.

2. The next reason believe it or not is all about politeness. You are a guest in their country and instead of them adjusting you should be the one to make the adjustments because they will surely do the same when they visit the US.

What this does is make the locals appreciate who you are even if you do not the pronunciation right. The important thing is you made an effort.

Some of the basic phrases you need to know include how to say good day, good afternoon or evening, goodbye, please, thank you, do you speak English, I don't speak Italian, where is the bathroom and how much is this.

If you know that, the locals will be more than able to assist you despite your limited knowledge of their language.

But if you would like to strike a conversation with them, you have to learn other words and phrases. You can start out by buying a dictionary, listening to audio tapes and enrolling in a class. If you have a friend that can speak Italian, the better so he or she can correct any mistakes that you have made.

You can also check online for other learning resources. Be aware that while some ask you to pay a certain fee, others are willing to teach you for free.

3. Another good reason why you should learn Italian is to improve your employment potential. If you apply for a job and it requires someone who speaks Italian fluently, your name will be in the final list of candidates for that position.

4. For those who want to pursue higher education, it is also beneficial since some schools require you to speak at least a foreign language.

5. Learning Italian will let you appreciate more plays, books and other works that were written by Italian writers. Yes you may have read the English translation but it is nothing compared to reading or hearing it in the original version.

6. If ever you plan to work or decide to settle in Italy or somewhere in Europe, it will be easy for you to blend in with the people.

7. Learning Italian or any other language makes you understand their culture and who you are. This in essence will give you a better view of the world which helps shape your identity and makes you appreciate what you have.

8. Lastly, so that you will be able to make life long friends even if they happen to live across the Atlantic.

So why learn Italian? So you will be able to speak another language apart from English and have a greater understanding of other people and yourself. Something you will find useful when applying for work, going back to school or simply while you are on vacation.

So you want to learn Italian language. Good for you. But before you buy the different materials there are available, you should know what factors to look for as this tell you whether or not what you are getting is good value for your money.

First of all, the material you get should have the right combination of features and tools that will cover all the fundamentals of this beautiful language. It should also be easy to use because you are the one who is going to use it.

When we refer to the features of the material, there has to be a way that you will be able to monitor your progress. Does the book or program have exercises in the back?

The fundamentals mentioned earlier should teach you two things about the Italian language. First is for you to be able to speak the language while the second is for you to be able to write it even if you won't be writing anything. But writing is still considered to be important because it helps you build your vocabulary.

You won't have a problem using an Italian language text book but if you are planning to use a program, be sure that it user-friendly. You get to do more when you are having fun so the program you decide to get should also have audio, video, speech and word recognition activities and culture lessons.

If there are problems, there should be a help section you can access including tutorials that will help explain difficult concepts. If you look at the back of the book or packaging, there has to be a customer service number you can call.

Of the different materials available, language software is the newest because it has interactive features that the rest do not offer. Does this mean you should give up on the rest? Of course not because a handy dictionary or an electronic translator is nice to have around when you forget what you have learned at home.

While some of these materials cost under $20, there are others that will go as high as $200. Although price is one factor, it should not be the only thing to help you decide if you should get it or not. What is important are the quality and the results. In the end, the issue is whether or not you are able to speak the Italian language like a local or not.

One more thing you should do when looking for Italian learning material is to ask yourself what is your learning style? Do you learn better simply by listening or do you require other techniques so you can understand the language. That is something only you can answer so try and recall what works for you and then apply the same thing.

The Italian language which is also known as the language of romance is spoken by 70 million people not only in Italy but in 29 other countries as well spread out through most of Europe and Africa.  If you go to an authentic Italian restaurant, this is also spoken by the staff.

Because of the large number, you should take the factors above mentioned seriously if you want to learn Italian. Otherwise you are just wasting your time and money.

Learning a new language has also reached the digital age. These days you can buy it and then learn Italian on our own time and pace. Since there are so many of them around, you should consider what to look for when you are out shopping for one.

The first thing you have to consider is your learning style. Do you need a program that has various exercises you can try out or do you want one that simply tells what is the meaning of the word in English and vice versa? Do you learn better reading the words or hearing them?

There is not one program out there that can make you speak Italian. For this to happen, you will have to get more one program because it is not enough to understand what someone is saying but most importantly, how you are able to express yourself to whoever it is you are talking to.

The only way you will know what software is available is for you to go to the local book store and looking for similar products online. You can also inquire or purchase a CD from a language learning center.

Keep in mind that language software has different levels from beginner, intermediate to advanced. If you have studied Italian in the past and simply want to freshen up, maybe you can skip the 1st level and then purchase either the intermediate or advanced.

Once you have found it, narrow your choices down to at least 5 then find out which one is really worth getting.

You can do that by reading the reviews that were written about it. You can also ask other users what they think about the program to find out if it is really good value for their money. If possible, try and test it yourself so you are not influenced by what people say but rather through your personal experience.

This will be easy for you to do since most of the software has a test or "lite" version which you can download for free. If there is no free trial available, see if you can borrow it from someone and test it at home. It is only when you learn something that you should consider buying the program.

Don't forget to also check who made the program. It is best to only buy Italian learning language software that is made by a recognized institution so you don't waste your time and money using it. A few examples are Rosetta's Stone, Berlitz International, Tell Me More, Talk Now and Magnum Language. 

The truth is every language software available in the market has its strengths and weaknesses. List them down and then see which one you think can really teach you Italian.

If you still can't decide which language software to get, try asking a friend or your former university professor for some help.

A lot of people say that it is easy to learn Italian but you shouldn't take their word for it and instead find out if this is true.

Aside from language software, there are audio books, language courses and other training materials available so don't rely on just one to learn Italian. As much as possible try them all because these will all help you speak and understand the language.

Learning Italian is just as challenging as learning any other language. You won't be able to get it overnight but you will eventually get the hang of it by following these tips.

First, study the pronunciation of the language. It is best to practice the most difficult sounding words regularly until you get it and then work your way down to the most common words and short phrases. To be sure you are getting it right, check how it sounds with someone who speaks Italian fluently.

From there, you can now practice the native intonation, stress and rhythm of common, short sentences and social questions as this will help make you sound like a local instead of a tourist. The best tool to help you here are audio and video language kits. If someone in your neighborhood speaks Italian, practice with this person and tell them to correct you.

Audio books have limits to what they can teach you about the Italian language so buy a dictionary to learn other words. If you happen to encounter a new word, find out what it means and try using it in a sentence.

Given that you are just learning the Italian language, don't expect to know everything. If you are lost in words, it is good to have a translation dictionary which will translate English to Italian and vice versa. You can also put notes all over the house describing different objects in Italian.

It is not enough that you learn how to speak language. You also have to be immersed in their culture. One way you can do that will be to borrow or buy some well known Italian literary works. Check out some plays, short stories and even the opera. If it is possible, try to read a magazine or newspaper that is written in Italian. 

You should also learn how to act Italian. Across the Atlantic, people over there kiss each other on the cheek when they meet someone they know. There is no malice involved here just a sign of affection for a loved one similar to when we shake someone's hand or give them a hug.

If you have money, pay someone who speaks Italian to tutor you through one on one conversation practice. Record the sessions, play it after and take notes so you know where you should improve on.

When all else fails, enroll in class because the instructor will give you activities to do. The community college is the best place to check if there are no language centers in the neighborhood.

The most important tip to become well conversant in Italian is practice. Don't be ashamed if you are corrected many times because this is the only way you will learn this new language. From there, you become a better person and are now more confident in speaking that language to fellow Italians.

There are different ways to learn Italian so you must never stick to just one. This will make it easy for you to engage in a conversation with the locals when you meet someone from there or when you are there on vacation. If you feel like giving up, remember again what got you interested in learning the language in the first place then you are back on track.

Italian culture is one if the richest culture and history in the world. One can trace the roots of Italian culture to the Roman ruins and ancestry.  Culture and history can also be tasted in its Italian food.  To live like and Italian is to learn much from them.  Let's learn and live like Italians. 

Italians have made their mark in the world.  They are quite known and are leading in different fields like fashion, interior design, culinary arts and visual arts.  Italians are very much proud of their origin and their heritage.  And who would not be?

The World Heritage Sites or Unesco sites in Italy combined will be about 43 sites.  The most number of Unesco declared sights in Europe can be found in Italy.  Even some of the oldest universities in the world can be found in Italy like University of Padoya and University of Bologna. 

The University of Salerno was established in the ninth century, during the medieval times.  Other old universities would be University of Naples established by Frederick II, the University of Florence established in 1308 and then the universities of Pisa, Pavia, and Turin. 

Living like an Italian is senseless without the knowledge of the Italian art and literature.  Prominent writers like Dante Alighieri, Petrarch and Boccaccio are all Italian.  Meanwhile, Italian artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

There are minor and small towns that offer a great glimpse of Italian art.  Siena in Tuscany showcases their great artists from the thirteenth and fourteenth century like Duccio and Cimabue as well as Simone Martini.  Genoa and Turin in the northern cities are somehow overlooked by many tourists.  These places offer beautiful piazzars, magnificent churches and exquisite art galleries.

Music had always served as a cultural marker for Italians.  Italy had been renowned for their opera, traditional music from the diverse region, popular music both from local and international source, and modern experimental classical music. 

There are different institutions and centers that support music as a profession in Italy.  There are conservatories, opera houses, radio and television stations, recording studios, music festivals and important centers of musicological research. 

Fashion icons and popular designers are considered to be the finest in the world.  To name a few Italian designers - Armani, Prada, Gucci, Versace and Valentino.  Milan is one of the most important and prestigious centers of fashion in the world. 

Aside from the things, history and heritage that Italians should be proud of, Italians also provides much importance to their families.  A strong and united family is very important for Italians.  Families represent the moral strength of society.  That is why family meals are longer than average meals in other culture.   At home, water and wine are served with lunch and dinner. Children from age of 12 may begin to drink a small amount of wine with meals.

Majority of Italians are Roman Catholics.  Catholicism is the primary religion for more than 2000 years.  Festivals are observed in celebration of their faith.  Festivals are always connected to saints. Italians also observe practices during a particular significant event in Catholicism.  One of these practices would be non-eating of meat on Fridays during Lent and also on Ash Wednesday.  But fish and vegetable can be eaten during these times.

Italians are also well known for their friendly nature.  They are generous, gentle, warm, sociable and welcoming. 

How to learn and live like an Italian is not only by copying the way they speak and the way they act, but it is also important to make sure that the core values that they possess will be integrated in daily lives.

For your trip to gorgeous Italy, it helps if you can speak the language as you go around the beautiful streets and take in the sights of this marvelous country.  Italy's official language is Italian but there are many other local dialects from the different regions of the country.  Any local will be able to distinguish between a Pisan and a Roman just by their accent.  But all citizens of the country can speak Italian which is why it's convenient for tourists to learn how to speak Italian even if it means just learning a few phrases.

Learning the Language

Italy is a tourist hotspot and tourism is a major industry of the country.  Italians are used to tourists and they welcome them with open arms.  Any traveler will find it quite easy to navigate through the major cities of Italy as most of the people can speak a few and basic English phrases but if your trip to Italy takes you to the smaller cities and regions, not many know how to speak English, which is why learning a few phrases can be handy.  Plus, learning the language is also a great way to get into the Italian culture and get the full blown Italian experience.

Even more so is the fact that learning just a few phrases can get you plus points with the natives who will appreciate your gesture and you effort.  By learning a few Italian phrases, you're trying to connect with the locals and look very much like an educated tourist.

Talking the Language

When it comes to speaking Italian, pronunciation is very important to be easily understood and any amount of effort to do so will be greatly appreciated by the locals. 

Easily enough, Italian pronunciation is simple.  All that is required is to speak each consonant and vowel clearly.  Italians tend to talk fast but with a light tongue.  And like learning any language, practice make perfect.  Remember, it's the effort that counts so it's alright to make mistakes.

Here are a few basic phrases that you can use as you go around Italy:

* Arrivederci- Goodbye

* Bene- Well or good

* Buon giorno! -  Good day

* Buona sera! - Good afternoon or evening

* Sto bene - I am well

* Dov'è...? - Where is...

* Per favore - Please

* Grazie! - Thanks!

* Male - Bad

* Mi scusi - Excuse me

* No - No

* Si - Yes

* Prego - You're welcome

* Quanto e' - How much is...

Almost Like English

As you learn how to speak Italian or at least learn some basic Italian phrases, you will come to realize that it does sound almost like English.  Just like Italian, English is a Germanic language and because of this there are many words that are shared between the English and the Italian languages.  Although some words are pronounced the same in both languages there are those that are pronounced differently.

As you listen and read through the Italian language, it's always important to learn and be observant of how every word is pronounced.  You will notice as you listen in to conversations in Italian that most of these words you already know about.

Fashion design is an applied art dedicated to clothing and lifestyle accessories created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time.  Italian fashion had been playing a major role in the fashion world.  This time let's not just fallow the fad; let's learn Italian fashion and its roots. 

Italy and fashion have a very unique and special relationship.  Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Armani, Gucci, Versace.  All these names are Italians.  All of them are famous designers known worldwide for their artistic creativity and contributions to the world of fashion designing. 

During the twelfth century, Florence is known fore the Florentine feronnerie and in the fourteenth century, there was the success of the Scarlatti wools of Venice.  Italian even boasts of the invention of eyeglasses or roidi.  As early as 1300, Italy is already releasing licensed designer sunglasses worldwide. 

Italians are responsible for the some of the most refined leather and fur craftsmanship of the twentieth century.  Trussardi and Furla were both family companies founded in the early 1900s and promote the most beautiful leather goods in fashion.  Fendi has been a longtime producer of pieced and dyed furs. 

In 1920, the United States saw the first hand made shoes of the first Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo.  Among other exclusive fashion names are Valentino, Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Fendi, and Dolce & Gabbana.  Gucci is the greatest- selling Italaian fashion brand, with worldwide sales of &7.158 billion dollars.

It was Count Giorgini who started the "Italian fashion Craze" in 1951.  He organizes a show to be presented to an international audience in Florence.  Nobility would present the new collection against a backdrop of fine art or scenery.  This contributed to the status of Italian fashion.   This had put into the customer's mind that Italian fashion is very rich in quality.

Milan made its mark as being the Fashion Capital of Italy in 1970s and 1980s.  Italian brands are now universally recognized and regarded as "high quality" and "high fashion".  Fashion fairs in Milan are always considered to be an international and national event. 

Italian fashion is not only available in Italy.  There are great fashion houses that are very popular in most of the countries.  But there are people who found branded Italian clothes are very much expensive for their pockets. 

There are great shopping stores in Florence and in Rome near the Piazza di Spagna.  There are also fabric stores and notions shops in Mercerie.  Mercerie hosts a wide array of buttons, bindings, cords, and tassels. 

Italian fashion has been a landmark for the fashion industry.  Italian fashion is a representation of love, art and values of Italians.  Education and of course, culture had greatly influenced the fashion scenario of the country.  Italian fashion saw a big change during the sixties, dresses changed from a mere dress to something that was reflection of creation and design.

Italian fashion looks like a fairy tale.  For Italians, fashion is an instrument of social redemption whereby class is determined by what one wears.  Fashion is becoming a tool for confirming the social status.  Italian fashion had evolved for a long time.  It evolved from simple fur and leather products to immensely expensive and beautiful clothes. 

Following the fad is just never enough.  Knowing the brand and learning from its origins, it his matter, we learn about Italian fashion, helps us make right choices whether it is for family or for personal.

Before you pack your bags and enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Italy, which you've probably already read about and thoughtfully researched, also consider learning the language of your place of destination.  Learning a new language can be fun especially if you're visiting a new place and you want to get into the culture and get the full experience of living the lifestyle of the locals.  If Italy happens to be in the list of places you want to visit you'll want to be able to learn the language without having to invest so much money to do so.  In fact, you can learn Italian for free without spending anything. 

Learning Italian Online

You can learn anything through the internet just the same as you can find almost anything in it.  The internet plays host to a lot of websites that can teach you to speak any language you choose including Italian.  You can find these websites by entering keywords like "learn Italian" with the help of search engines like Yahoo or Google.  Usually these websites offer downloadable software that you can install into your computer.

The software comes with text and audios that can teach you how to read and pronounce words and construct sentences.  You can download the software for free but most websites like www.simpleitalian.info offer a six-day trial course for free and anything beyond that they charge you.  But the free course itself already teaches you the basics of the language.

Another great way to learn Italian online is through online forums or communities like www.impariamo.com which is dedicated to people who want to learn the Italian language.  You can meet a lot of people from all over the world and share tips on how to learn and improve your Italian.  The site also sends its members a weekly quiz that you can answer and to test how much you've learned.

Learning Italian in Your Area

Conveniently enough you can learn to speak Italian through your local community for free.  There is one such website called Italian.meetup.com that gives you a list of groups that have the same interests and by joining these groups you get to learn how to speak Italian.  After all, immersing yourself with the language is a great way to learn especially if you're among friends. 

Learning Serious Italian

If you're looking towards getting more advanced learning of the Italian language there are other ways you can further your study, although these lessons don't come for free.  The best way to learn the language is by signing up and joining classes offered in schools.  Not only will you be able learn the language from an expert you get to practice what you've learned through classmates.

Another great way to speak Italian is by visiting Italy and study the language by being exposed to it in a daily basis.  You can sign up for on-site learning courses so you get to study the language while you're there.

Free Learning

To be able to learn Italian for free is a great convenience.  Although it may not have the advantages of learning Italian by signing up for classes, you get to learn the basics of the language that will help you get around the city and speak to the locals like an educated tourist.

Do you want to learn Italian but don't want to be pressured to learn the language? Well the good is that you can learn it on your own pace when you decide to use an Italian language program.

Italian language has been around for some time. Some of the manufacturers first started selling tapes to people and then shifted to this medium. But the question remains, what should you look for when you decide to learn the language?

There are 5 important things to look for when you want to learn Italian on your own time.

First, you have to be aware of the features of the program. Does it have exercises you can practice apart from the audio? What about written exercises or activities? While some do not think this is important, they should because knowing how it is written will help you understand how the word is pronounced. It will also increase your vocabulary.

The Italian language program has to be user-friendly so it is easy for you to navigate through the menu. If there is a problem, it should have a help menu and customer support which you can call so the problem can be taken cared of.

Does the program enable you to monitor your progress? Each lesson should have an exercise in the end to see how you are doing. Otherwise, it will be difficult to tell if you are improving or not. If you are doing well, go over it again until this is already in your head.

You can't help but consider price as a factor when you want decide to learn Italian on your own time. While books will cost under $10, programs range from $20 to a little over $200. There are free programs as well that can teach you Italian so look at them as well.

Let's say you have already mastered the program. Do you learning end there? The answer is no and for you to improve your skill in Italian, you have to get the next program that will develop your skills further. The best programs out there have three levels namely beginner, intermediate and advanced so although this means shelling out cash again, you will become more fluent in the language.

Now that you know what factors to look for when you decide to study Italian, the only thing you have to do now is go out there and see what is available. Reading the reviews written by the users themselves can help you decide which one to buy.

You can also get recommendations from those teaching in language centers since this is where some base their curriculum.

Italian language programs are not only for people who want to learn this on their own time. Students who are already enrolled in a class will find this to be useful as it can help you pinpoint mistakes in your Italian pronunciation and at the same time offer corrections.

You are never too young or too old to learn another language. If you want to challenge yourself, go ahead then and learn Italian. It is something worth learning given that this language is spoken by immigrants from Italy and used in various European countries which you will find useful should plan to go there on vacation.

There are a lot of reasons why people want to learn a new language. If you want to learn to speak Italian, then may be you fell in love with the place and decided to stay for a while longer or maybe you fell in love with an Italian. There might be a work opportunity waiting for you in Italy and you can't say no. Your family history may be pointing towards Sicily and you wanted to retrace the steps.

You may be a musician and you just want to make sense out of so many terms like allegro, adagio, or andante. Those are some of the reasons why a person decides to embark in a new learning adventure.

Aside from those here are a few more excuses on why you should really be motivated to learn Italian, the romance language that has 89% similarity to French, and about 82% similarity to Spanish.

* So you can understand what the famous tenors are saying whenever they are hitting the notes in high C.

* So you can make a reservation in that posh, authentic Italian restaurant and confidently order by speaking Italian.

* Expand your knowledge of various cultures and world languages.

* Turn off the subtitles when watching foreign films in Italian.

* Visit Rome and talk to the locals, or ask for directions in Italian.

* Make a conversation with your grandparents who were born in Italy.

* Step into an Armani shop and shop for your right size without making any guesses.

* Study art history.

* Read Dante's La Divina Commedia in its original language.

Now that you have the motivation to start learning Italian, you will have to tuck in a lot of dedication and patience because learning a new language is never easy. Some language schools will say they can teach you in days and you will be fluent, but those are just promises. You have to extend a lot of efforts on this project. Here are some ways to learn how to speak Italian:

1. Listen carefully to how Italians speak so you could hear how the language really sounds. Watch Italian movies with the subtitles off so you can fully concentrate on the dialogues. It doesn't matter if you won't be able to make out the story line as log as you get to learn the rhythm of the language delivered verbally. This is something you have to do as reinforcement to your class or tutorial sessions.

2. Purchase good Italian-English dictionary and phrasebook. These will come in handy so you have a guide on the pronunciations and vocabulary. The useful conversation statements or phrases can help you out since these can't be found in the dictionary. Always keep this close to you for reference.

3. As you go through your learning sessions, write the lessons down so that the notes will be retained in your memory. You can begin a new journal where you will write in Italian. You can also jot down your favorite lines in any Italian movie that you have watched. Writing is a great tool to reinforce the new words into your memory.

4. Practice makes perfect so do not stop attempting to speak in Italian. Do not be conscious if you're too slow in finishing your sentences. You will speak it faster in time. If you want to learn to speak Italian, it will also be best to go to Italy for an extended period of time so you can converse with the people who are fluent.