The number of people learning a new language has risen by 300% over the past year. Recent studies show that language-learning apps have experienced an exponential rise in users since the lockdowns began.
In some instances, people have decided to learn a new language as a means of distraction and this theory makes sense. After all, studies require enough focus to be that of a “distraction” and this is certainly true when it comes to learning a language.
Top 5 Reasons to Learn Italian
1. You Can Travel Italy Like Never Before
Italy is home to a colorful culture and the highest number of UNESCO sites in the world. As if that’s not enough, there is an incredible mix of art, cuisine, and scenery in every region and attraction at every turn in the cities of Rome, Milan, and Florence.
But it’s much easier to move past the tourist attractions and discover the hidden side of Italy when you speak the language. You should also find a slightly better welcome from the locals and a lot more experiences along the way. I’m talking about the lesser-known landmarks points of interest and the cafes or eateries that only the locals know about. It’s true when you learn Italian in Italy, you automatically open yourself up to an entirely different experience.
2. You Can Actually Learn Italian in Italy
There’s only so much you can improve and enhance your skills without practicing this language in a real-world environment. When you learn Italian in Italy, talking with locals is often the fastest way to improve your hold of the language. Spending time in Italy will also give you a much better understanding in terms of the use of certain words or phrases while helping you get-to-grips with the many different accents.
While it’s more effective to learn Italian in Italy as opposed to learning through an online course, another major benefit is that you get to live in Italy! For instance, if you choose to learn Italian in Florence, you can explore the galleries and museums in between classes. Florence is also an important centre for arts, food, and fashion and needless to say, you’ll also get to indulge in fine food and coffee every day!
3. The Italian Language is Relatively “Easy” to Learn
The Italian language is a lot easier to learn than many other languages. For many learners, even the sound of the Italian language makes it rather easy for words and phrases to stay in your head. Many words are also quite similar because, unlike other languages, Italian is still very close to Latin. This means you should be able to quickly understand someone that speaks Italian to you and might explain why you can often interpret what an Italian person is saying without knowing the language. If you speak English, learning Italian will be even easier for the reason mentioned above. Here are a few English words and the Italian translation to better explain this point:
Problem – Problema
Final – Finale
Future – Futuro
You see what we mean? Some words and phrases are very easy to pick up!
As for the sound itself, the Italian language has a “melodic” sound that makes it one of the most loved languages in the world. There’s not much else to explain in this sense; the Italian language sounds lovely – and you will too – when you learn Italian in Italy!
4.Learning Italian Can Help With Your Career or Networking
It should go without saying that learning Italian can help with networking and open you up to more job opportunities. After you learn Italian in Italy, you can even apply to teach English and business owners can then take advantage of being able to communicate with Italian customers or suppliers for the purpose of growing their business. While you may not wish to learn Italian in Italy for professional reasons or not, having a second language looks great on any resume and it can’t be bad for your career. In fact, many brands in Italy look for candidates that speak Italian and if you plan on moving to Italy, the Italian language will almost certainly help you find work.
5.You Might Even Live Longer…
Okay, we might be exaggerating a little but the Italians have such a healthy lifestyle, and embracing a piece of the Italian culture is sure to have some sort of impact.
Let us explain real quick…
Did you know that Italy has an incredibly high life expectancy of 84+ years? It’s even ranked sixth in the world and not far behind Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan!
It’s no real surprise because Italy has a reliable health-care system. Further, Italian cuisine is especially healthy and the culture is based on quite a laid-back lifestyle. When you add all of these things up, you should also see why so many people decide to take up the language and move to the major cities to learn Italian in Italy. Anyway, you get my point, the Italians have a healthy way of life, and learning this language is another way to take a tiny piece of the Italian lifestyle and make it part of your own.
Final Thoughts
Learning a new language is a stimulating process that helps keep our brains active and healthy. Studying is also proven to have long-term health benefits that relate to anxiety and provide a utility that can benefit not only your career but also the quality of your life and travels. While it’s easy to get started online, practice is essential and there’s really no substitute for talking directly with the locals. And that’s why you might want to learn the language or maybe even move over there to learn Italian in Italy!