I plan to write this book over the next few months by releasing excerpts here on our website and getting feedback from The Italian American Podcast listeners and supporters. So please leave your comments below this post, and I will review and respond to all of them. Let’s write this wonderful story together, which I know will inspire Italian Americans far and wide to discover their heritage in an adventurous way.
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While learning Spanish a few years ago, I met a young entrepreneur who told me about a program that he created to help people learn languages. I initially thought, just another language website, but this was different. His philosophy was to teach people the flow of the language, meaning the sounds and pronunciation, before teaching the meaning of the words.
So what he would do was select a song in the desired language, provide a detailed breakdown of the pronunciation of the different components of the song, and walk students through singing the song using the correct pronunciation.
His method is called The Mimic Method (www.MimicMethod.com), and it works. I used his course to learn Spanish, and the reason it worked was because the hardest part of learning languages like Spanish and Italian is the fast pace of the language. I have taken Spanish for years, and I knew grammar and vocabulary, but as soon as a native speaker started talking to me I was completely lost. It was too fast for me to comprehend what they were saying. After following this mimic method, I could pickup words in conversations and when watching Spanish television programs. And the best part is that it was a fun way to learn, singing songs!
When it came time to learn Italian, I was saddened to find out that there was no Mimic Method course for Italian, so I just did it myself, and it worked almost as well. I selected a few songs in Italian that I thought encompassed a wide range of sounds and sang them repeatedly.
The nice thing about this method is that you can practice it anywhere at anytime. So if you drive to work everyday, you can simply play the song on your radio repeatedly and sing it out loud, practicing your Italian pronunciation.
I recommend spending your first few weeks or even months doing only this, and then once you become more comfortable with pronunciation and the flow of the language, you can add different kinds of learning activities to your efforts. Regardless of your progress, I recommend that you always continue to sing Italian throughout your entire learning process. Not only is it a fun way to practice pronunciation and increase the rate of your learning, but your family around you will also be exposed to the sounds, and maybe even eventually sing along and learn as well.
What worked for you when you learned Italian OR what questions do you have about learning Italian?
You can check out my book Forty Days in Italy Con La Mia Famiglia here.
Anthony Fasano
Co-host of The Italian American Podcast
Author of Forty Days in Italy Con La Mia Famiglia
Good morning Anthony, Ashley and I are sitting here smiling. We love this idea! In fact, I used to know many of the Italian traditional songs and opera, since Fiore (maternal grandfather) used to play violin and play albums all day long. I just started to memorize the words after listening to the songs for years. So, we just created an Italian station on Pandora to start listening. We are already familiar with Eh Cumpari, lol. I will let you know how we progress. You have such great ideas and heart for our culture. Thanks, Dora
Eh cumpari, ci vo sunari…lol — that is my kids favorite. Thanks Dora, you and your daughter are so supportive. We really appreciate you both 🙂
What a great idea for learning a language! I have a reverse experience. Although not speaking Italian fluently, I know how to pronounce the words. Therefore, I can read aloud something in Italian, while not understanding what I am saying!
I also studied voice extensively, and have done a little bit of opera in Italian. This is from 1993, when I sang at an operatic recital. I pronounced the words correctly in Italian, while being coached by an Italian professor. Yet basically, I did not know what I was singng, without the professor’s help. This was at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
https://www.facebook.com/CoExGal/videos/2659471178430/?l=4748690802605906454
Thanks Linda — that’s amazing, what a voice!!
What a great idea. I would love to try….
Can you recommend a site to get the lyrics in both English & Italian?
Here you go John, but remember, the english meaning isn’t important, you just need the Italian and you have to try to pronounce them correctly: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/sogno-i-dream.html
Hi Joni, you may probably want to check my Blog… “Un Tè in Compagnia”. Under the section “Cantiamo Italiano” you will find a wide selection of songs with video and lyrics ready for you! Try this one… https://chiaraelia.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/nel-blu-dipinto-di-blu-domenico-modugno.html
I am pretty sure the refrain will catch you straight away!
Well said Anthony! I also believe that learning a language through songs is one of the best way. And it is fun!
Grazie mille! ??
Prego, prego! 😉
Did you recognise the song I suggested you? It is one of Anthony’s songs as well! Hahaha very famous… a MUST for whoever wants to learn an italian canzone!
Perfetto – grazie Chiara!
Great idea. I’ve studied Italian since high school but not having anyone to converse with makes it difficult to remember words. There is a helpful free app available that speaks translations. It is translategoogle. It would be fun to form a group to practice with others with the same interest.
Thanks Connie — Google Translate is great, you can download an offline version so when you are in Italy you don’t need wifi. That’s what I did. Also on italk.com you can find groups.
You have a great voice, like your Mom! Your idea is a wonderful one! You really can learn a language by listening to songs and learning the correct words. Your pronunciation is excellent, too! My favorite Italian song is Al di La’. I sang it the other night at a meeting of an Italian Club. The karaoke guy had no objection, and I surprised everyone, including me! LOL. Maybe I’ll sing it for you on your voice message portal. Ciao.
I’ve tried a few things and they all have strengths and compliment each other. Sometimes, I hit a wall with one method and doing another method for a while provided a break though. This is what I have done:
1) Traditional classes (Italian Institute, Dante Alighieri Society)
2) Coffee break Italian podcast (premium)
3) Pimsleur audio lessons (Audible.com)
4) Paul Noble audio lessons (Audible)
4) Learn Italian — Survival Phrases (Audible)
5) RAI (Italian TV) streaming via app or website — Mezzogiorno in Famiglia is a variety show for the entire family and has word games, songs, and cultural lessons. It is almost an accidental Italian class.
6) Streaming what is on Netflix in Italian
7) Going to Italy and occasionally looking like an idiot (You can’t fail if you don’t try)
8) In larger cities, there are Italian meet-up on meetup.com. I haven’t done this. But, I plant to next week.
If you get frustrated. Just remember that learning a language helps reduces Alzheimer risk!
These are really helpful Frank, thanks for sharing, I have used Coffee Break Italian a lot and it really helps.
Thanks Anthony!
The singing video is genius. My italian fighters learn English from American rap music . I feel confident it will work in reverse. Btw your voice is not bad . Acspella is tough for anyone
Dino — what a compliment, thank you 🙂 Grazie!
try this webcast called news in slow italian…https://www.newsinslowitalian.com/ i have been using it for a while and recommend it to every italian american i meet