The different ways to learn Italian and their advantages and disadvantages

Not all secondary schools offer Italian lessons any more. Even at vocational schools, Italian is increasingly being replaced by English. So if you didn't have the pleasure of learning this beautiful musical language at home, you might take up learning Italian later in life. It is obvious that learning Italian can also be very beneficial for your career. Italy is one of the leading industrial nations in the western world and is considered an important trading partner in various sectors. It is therefore clear that specialists and managers with a good knowledge of Italian are in demand.

Would you also like to learn Italian but don't yet know how best to go about it? On the education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch you will find, among various other information and educational offers, helpfulTips for learning Italian better.

Learning Italian: Overview of learning methods, advantages / disadvantages

The table below lists the different ways and means of learning Italian. Basically, these forms of learning can be divided into three main areas: Self-learning, language courses and language stays. Each of these ways of learning Italian has its advantages and disadvantages and depending on your type of learner, you will be looking for a different way of learning the language. To help you find out which form of learning would be most suitable for you in your current circumstances, we have listed the most important and serious points and differences below.

Form of learning, learning method Advantages Disadvantages
Self-learning, online tools, apps for learning Italian
  • Low or even no costs
  • You can learn anywhere and at any time
  • Easily compatible with job and other commitments
  • Own learning pace
  • A large portion of self-discipline is necessary!
  • No social contacts and learning partners
  • No teacher is available to answer questions
  • Little variety depending on the tool
  • Wide range on the Internet, difficult choice of the right tool
  • Possibly underchallenged as there is no external motivation and no expectations

Language courses to learn Italian

(Italian course in any form, Italian diploma course, DELI, DILI etc.)
  • Evening courses are easy to combine with a job
  • Teacher is available to answer questions
  • Motivating classmates, finding social contacts and learning partners
  • Commitment supports the achievement of the targets set
  • Material structured by an experienced teacher
  • Diploma or course confirmation
  • Course costs, travel expenses, parking fees
  • Learning pace and teaching materials according to the teacher / school
  • Teaching style according to the teacher
  • High expectations and goals (e.g. homework, diploma) could cause pressure

Stay abroad, language study trip to learn Italian

(stays with host families, courses abroad, international internships and work placements)
  • Constant use of language leads to rapid learning progress
  • Proximity to culture and people promotes interest in the language
  • Can be combined with a vacation trip
  • Social contacts promote long-term language use
  • An internship abroad is career-enhancing
  • Diplomas / Course confirmations
  • Possibly difficult to reconcile with work and career as longer absences are not possible
  • Lack of income abroad
  • High costs (travel, rent, possible language course on site)
  • A lot of time is invested

The table shows that an advantage can often be seen as a disadvantage when learning Italian. Those who want to remain flexible will prefer the self-learning option. However, we often need a nudge from outside, as we lack discipline over time. If you think that this could happen to you, online learning may not be the right way to learn. However, if you don't like to fit into a class when learning Italian and find it difficult to adapt to the given teaching methods, you may need the flexible and free form of online tools, as otherwise the fun of learning Italian would soon be over.

It's important to check your learning style and then decide which way to learn Italian is right for you based on your current circumstances and situation. You're sure to enjoy it for a long time and be successful!

Overview of schools for learning Italian