Learning a new language is fun and exciting, but sometimes also hard. So, it makes sense to ask the question, how long does it take to learn Italian before dipping your toes into the language.
Italian boasts over 70 million speakers worldwide, with about 40 million being native speakers. It is also the official language of Vatican City, Rome, and Italy. In addition, this rich romance language is also among the six official working European Union languages.
The truth is there is no exact answer to how long it will take you to learn Italian. Mastering any language requires dedication and motivation. These factors, along with your learning speed, will vary from one person to the other. Fortunately for you, I will share tips and tricks to help you learn and speak Italian quickly.
First, let us see the different Italian language levels.
Italian Proficiency Levels
Italian, similar to other foreign languages, has different levels that help determine your proficiency in the language. These levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)—and yes, my courses are designed using this framework!
- A1 – Beginner/Novice level
- A2 – Pre-intermediate level
- B1 – Intermediate level
- B2 – Fluent/ Upper-intermediate level
- C1 – Advanced
- C2 – Native/ Proficiency
How long it takes to learn and speak Italian will depend on your language learning goals. For example, learning basic Italian words and phrases for travel will take you a shorter time than language learners whose goal is to speak fluently.
What Determines How Fast You Will Learn Italian?
The US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) says it takes about 600-750 hours of language learning to be fluent in Italian. However, Italian language learning looks different for everyone for many reasons. Some of these reasons include the following:
How much time you have to learn Italian
How many minutes or hours can you set aside to learn Italian daily or weekly? Setting aside time to study Italian can be easy for some or challenging for others, especially if you have many personal and professional life responsibilities.
That said, it is important to spare dedicated time in your day as you start your Italian learning journey if you want to improve your language skills.
Your previous language experiences
Is Italian your first foreign language to learn? Do you already speak another romance language?
Learning Italian can be challenging, especially if it is your first foreign language to learn. Having an online tutor for learning Italian as a first foreign language can be highly beneficial due to its personalized attention, convenience, flexibility, access to resources, and cultural immersion. The tutor can offer one-on-one personalized support, provide flexible scheduling options, offer a wealth of resources for practice, and help students explore Italian culture and customs.
That said, learning and speaking Italian fluently takes some time, despite your native language.
Your learning methods and exposure to Italian
Often, your language learning process determines how fast you learn. For instance, learning Italian will take longer if you do not practice the language outside of a classroom setting.
However, learning Italian is faster for language learners exposed to more Italian. This could be by listening to Italian radio or podcasts, reading Italian material, and writing and speaking Italian. You can also watch Italian movies or visit an Italian-speaking country to improve your vocabulary and pronunciation.
Your confidence and motivation
Overall, your confidence and motivation will determine how long you will take to learn Italian. So, ask yourself your goals for learning Italian, and keep practicing until you get there.
- Are you traveling to Italy and would like to socialize with native Italian speakers?
- Are you fascinated by Italian culture, arts, and gastronomy and would want to learn more?
- Do you have Italian friends or family that you would like to get to know more about or speak to them in Italian?
- Do you have a fun and fascinating opportunity that requires your knowledge of Italian?
Staying motivated ensures you are consistent in your Italian learning process. Additionally, practicing Italian regularly will help you master the language faster.
Learn Italian With Lingua Lunga
I’m Alice, founder of Lingua Lunga Italian. This company started in 2022 after years of me teaching students like you Italian. I’ve had the opportunity to teach people to appreciate and learn this language in over 15 different countries.
No matter what age you are, if you have consistency, enthusiasm, and passion, you can learn the Italian language. Book a Free Call with me today to begin!