Professoressa Kathryn!

Miss Lee

Miss Lee

Cathlete
Buongiorno professoressa! Come sta?

Well, I'm coming along with the Italian vocabulary, but I have plenty of work to do on the grammar! I love the class--it's such a bright spot in my week.

I understand words, but when the teacher rattles off a sentence I'm still a bit lost. I just can't seem to HEAR it. Is this common?

Grazie!

ArrivederLa professoressa Kathryn

Michele
 
Hey Michele,

Sorry. I'm not Kathryn and I'm totally hijacking your thread, but I wanted to say hi :)

I just started an Italian course, as well! It's independent study, but he makes us send oodles of cassettes with our lessons spoken to him! It's a pain in the behind. My mom is Italian, so she's helping me tremendously with pronounciation. I spoke some Italian when I was young, but the teachers here in the U.S. told my mother (and all her sisters) to stop teaching us, as it would confuse us. Great, huh? So now 80% of my family is Italian, and I can't speak to them. I have to start at square one.

Unfortunately, my Spanish is hindering me! The words are so similar, but just different enough that I automatically start spouting off Spanish words, and using Spanish pronunciation with Italian words as well :).

I'm glad I'm getting started, though :). And yes, hearing what's actually in the sentences will come in time. I was in Italy two years ago for a few weeks. I know Spanish ok, but after 3 weeks, I was able to understand Italian conversation based only on what I knew from Spanish and the few things I'd picked up. I think it helped, though, that the dialect spoken in Bacoli is much closer to Spanish than formal Italian. I've started telling my mom to speak to me in Italian as much as she can, and I bought extra lessons on CD just to hear more. You just have to consistenly submerse yourself in the language somehow.

Wow, sorry so long. I'm just excited, too. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Sara
 
Hi Sara--

So glad you posted!! My mom was born in San Bartolomeo in the Campania region. She came here as a child--about 6 or 7. I think she became immersed in the english language and American culture. She was never interested in teaching it to her children. In fact, once my grandparents died, the whole family quit speaking Italian.

My mom passed away a couple of years ago. I wish she were here to help me. I think she'd be pleased that I've decided to learn the language.

I'm taking a class one evening a week and it's a lot of fun. It's taught by native Italians. There're about 4 or 5 instructors in all. They started up the program several years ago and it gets bigger every year. Most of the instructors are PhD's in other fields and teach at a local university during the day.

What cd's do you use? I need to get some.

Michele
 
Hi :)

I actually think I miss a real classroom type setting. You get a lot more real practice that way. And it's hard working with my mother ;). For tapes and CDs, I have Living Language. One set is beginner and the other is more advanced. I haven't used them much yet, though. I think they're good.

And for grammar, I have a little book called Essential Italian Grammar by Olga Ragusa. I have the Spanish version, too. It's cheap, it's tiny, and it's good. My mom used it to tutor another girl who was taking an Italian course, and she said it was great. I need to study it myself now.

And I think your mother would be happy :). Mine is. And my relatives in Italy were genuinely angry that me and my cousins didn't know the language. We were actually yelled at the first day! No joke! So if you were to go visit anybody, I'd be prepared :D. It's amazing how important "getting back to your roots" can be. I feel like I'm missing something by not being familiar with that whole side of my family.

Sara

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=sblordita&x=0&y=0
 
Buona sera, Michele!

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your italian class.

Understanding spoken language is about the hardest part of things. Even if you understand individual words, once they're put together, things can sound different.

Also, sometimes if you focus on individual words too much, you can lose the flow of the entire sentence.

Is this class only once a week? That will make it harder, because the more you hear it, the easier it will get.

Is there a language lab component to the class (listening to CD's and doing workbook exercises that go along with the audio?).

I remember getting headaches from my French classes, because I was concentrating so hard on understanding (it worked...maybe the pain was from my brain being reconfigured! LOL!)
 
Thanks for your reply, Kathryn.

Yes, the class is only once a week. There isn't a language lab componet, but we are strongly encouraged to get online and listen to italian radio and read italian newspapers. I've tried to listen to online audios but man, it flies by so fast I just can't comprehend it at all. Like you said, I try so hard I get a headache.

I was thinking of picking up one of those Barrons language CD's. Do you know anything about those and would you recommend them?

Thanks for your time.

Michele
 
>I was thinking of picking up one of those Barrons language
>CD's. Do you know anything about those and would you recommend
>them?
>

I've heard the name, but don't have any direct experience with them.

Another thing you could try is a company called Champs Elysées (www.champselysee.com ). They make monthly CD's that are like radio programs, that include a text, a translation, and you can also get study guides. They have them for French (hence the "Champs Elysées" name--they started with the French), Spanish, German, and Italian.

They sound just like authentic radio programs, with full-speed language, so would be very tough for a beginner, but something to work up to. Even if you don't understand a lot, you can pick up the intonation, and gradually understand more and more.
 
Sorry to highjack this thread, but. . .

Kathyrn,

Can you recommend any books/programs that focus on reading Italian? I need to learn it QUICK in order to complete my dissertation research! I've been using Babelfish, but the translations aren't great, and I'm not always sure what I'm quoting. . .

TIA,

L
 
Thank you Kathryn. I'll check that out. I understand what you mean about it being tough for a beginner. That's what I've found trying to listen to actual radio broadcasts. It would make a big difference, I think, to have the translation and study guides. Trying to do it cold is just too hard for a beginner.

My husband also found something on a BBC website last night that has listening material for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.

I so appreciate your help. Thanks again for taking the time. :)

Michele
 
Ciao Michele,

My Grandmother was from Avellino Province in the Campania Region of Southern Italy.

I tried learning Italian via a CD and just gave up. I admire your perserverence. We've been to Italy twice and I sure did wish I knew the language when we were there. It would have helped. Especially when we got on the wrong subway, LOL!
 
Ciao Candi!!!

Hey--I KNEW we had SOMETHING in common! LOL!!:D :D :D

I've wanted to do this for years and just never had the time until now. It is fun but OMG, it's been a looong time since I've had to sit down and seriously study (which is what I'm supposed to be doing now but I just had to have a break).

We haven't been to Italy yet but we may be going in the spring. I say "may" because my DH has been asked to speak at a meeting there in May, but he already has a commitment to speak at a meeting in Germany in May. He's waiting to hear what the actual dates are for the the meeting in Italy. We'll get there one day for sure!

Grazie for posting, Candi!

Michele
 
GUYS....SO COOL!!!! I think it is so awesome that you are learning Italian! What a beautiful language! I think what you are doing is just excellent, I really admire your desire! Great Job!!!
 
>Sorry to highjack this thread, but. . .
>
>Kathyrn,
>
>Can you recommend any books/programs that focus on reading
>Italian? I need to learn it QUICK in order to complete my
>dissertation research!

Sorry, I'm not an Italian teacher, so I don't know more specific things.
 
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