4 key elements to be consistent with your Italian
Consistency is one of the most challenging things when you’re studying another language, even if you love it.
Sometimes it seems impossible to find time to practice!
We are so busy with our daily life that we keep postponing the time we will sit down and study.
But do you really need to sit down and study in order to practice?
When I’ve learnt English I created my own learning ecosystem and I used the language to do everything!
Not only have I sit down and study, to be honest with you, but I’ve also used English to read and listen to the news, to read books, to listen to music, to talk to myself and to journal.
I was fully immersed in the language and I was even thinking in English!
However, getting to that point is not easy.
Getting to consistency is not easy, so what took me there? How did I become so consistent?
4 key elements helped me be consistent when leaning another language (and they can help you with your Italian, too):
Clarity
Change
Passion
Time
Let’s see those 4 key elements in detail:
Clarity
What’s your goal? Why are you learning Italian and what level do you want to achieve? Do you wan to be accurate? Do you want to use colloquial language? Do you want to need to native speakers or other learners of Italian?
These questions are crucial to know your “why”..
If you know why you’re studying Italiana and you’re clear on your goals, you’ll work to achieve them.
Change
Do different things in Italian: explore new resources and move away from boring grammar books. Novelty and curiosity will give you a great stimulus to keep you going.
Have you tried journaling in Italian? Writing down your thoughts, talking about your day and yourself, looking for the right Italian words to express your emotions is a powerful tool to become more fluent.
You can get started with Be Yourself in Italian - a collection of 5 workbooks with journal prompts to use your Italian spontaneously.
Passion
If you like what you do in Italian, one thing will lead to another - like when you’re eating a packet of crisps!
When my students tell me they can’t have enough of my video courses because they can study grammar using podcast and interactive activities, I wish I had the same 20 years ago when I was studying English!
When students who have never been into history listen to my podcast and follow my Italian Risorgimento course because they have sparkled their curiosity, I’m just brimming with joy!!
Follow your passions or just get curious and you’ll never stop learning!
Time
Finding time to practice is hard because your life busy; it’s true.
If you want to find time for your Italian, you can follow different strategies:
Schedule some time slots in your calendar to actively practice;
Journal in the morning or in the evening; try it for 30 days; make it a habit.
Record a voice message to yourself in Italian while you go to work / the gym / the park / uni.
Listen to a podcast and then write or record a short comment.
You’ll see that after a while you’ll not worry about finding the time as it will be part of your routine.
Do you need help to get started? Download my free 7-day challenge to fit your Italian into your life, leave your email in the box below.
And you, are you always consistent with your Italian?
Share your secrets in the comment :)
Un caro saluto,
Giulia