Funny true story: On my second visit to Rome ten years ago, I had just arrived in town and was suffering from a massive case of jet lag. I had unfortunately arrived too early to check into my hotel room (the room wouldn't be ready for several hours yet), so with the concierge's permission, I left my luggage with her and went for a walk to the Piazza della Cinquecento to rest a bit until I could check in. So there I was, trying not to fall asleep, when a woman started talking to me. Now, I'm fluent in Italian, having studied it at that point for about 30 years, but I was out of it that it was all I could do to keep up with her. She noticed that I was struggling, so she looked at me for a minute and said, "Oh, right. You're American and Italian isn't your first language, and I'm chattering away at 100 kilometers an hour!" Who says that Italians can't sympathize with foreigners? :D
I visited Italy for four years From Napoli to Barletta, Brindisi Lecce back to Napoli, Rome , Florence, Bologna, Tivoli, Chinque Terra, Milano, Turino. Have forgotten most of what I learned but still LOVE the launguage. Mile Grazzie Mano
Hai PAURA di parlare italiano con gli italiani? Non sei solo! In questo video diamo un'occhiata a veri modi per evitare la Paura di Parlare! Ask Manu Italiano è qui per aiutarti! Are you SCARED of speaking Italian to Italians? You are not alone! In this video we look at ways to avoid the Fear of Speaking! Ask Manu Italiano to the rescue!
This is my problem. I've made some good friends in Italy, but sometimes, especially in groups, I tend to freeze up when they speak to me. This helps a lot. Grazie!!
This really helps, panic makes your brain shut down. I used to panic whenever there was a silence or I froze. Then I learned to fill in the gaps with little bits of "come si dice" or " Non so la parola" Also I avoid making phone calls by sending texts! If I have to take a call I spend a lot of the time repeating what has been said to me, for example the time the plumber is coming
When I went to Italy for two weeks I found that the natives are very patient with listening. I knew what I needed to ask ahead of time which helped. I know you all can tell if we're foreigners lol
I have taken classes in high school and in college in three languages; and you have explained more and better on foreign languages, especially on how to learn than any of my teachers. I'm amazed at how much easier you make all of it. Thank you so much for your videos.
I have speaking partners in Italy via SKYPE and I did freeze up a bit with the first few calls, but I started making notes on topics to discuss before the calls and that helped a lot. I really appreciate your encouragement! Grazie mille per il tuo aiuto!
Italy Made Easy Grazie Manu per il messaggio...I always feel like I'm on the right track when I hear from you. I watch you every day! Parlo un po' francese anchio ma ho bisogno di re- imparando questa lingua...I have been told that I have a cute accent in French (I get smiles and giggles) allora, parlando Italiano e' la mia attenzione e la passione! Ciao e grazie!
Hi Manu, love your channel! One of my favorite things to do is what I call "audio-surfing"--I put on a YT video recorded at native level and just see if I can figure out what the speaker's main points are and his/her opinion on the topic. I don't focus on every particle--it takes too much processing. I study grammar separately with my book (or with grammar videos like yours!)--and then the next time I put on some Italian audio--BOOM, my ear identifies new things on its own. (Then I lose my place anyway because I'm busy patting myself on the back, haha!)
Grazie mille. Andró a Milano a giovedì e sono molto felice di il tuo aiuto. Sarà la mia prima volta in Italia usando la lingua e spero di parlare un tanto. Ancora, grazie mille.
You answered my question!! Thank you so much. Your advice was so helpful and just what I needed to hear. I will have to start being more confident. My wife just watched it and she is just like you, she's really good at guessing whereas I'm trying to concentrate on every verb ending and preposition! Thanks again for your help! Ciao.
Hello, Alan Johnston! ☺️ This was such a great question! Thanks for the astuteness in asking. Ha. As an African with a very difficult tonal language - such that even native speakers quiver to return to speaking after extended absences - but who does well in basic communication with others in their own language, I wanted to offer my two cents: It's mostly about less self-consciousness and more about brute force. Haha. Basically, the launching pad for everything Mr. Manu so perfectly explained here. People do like it when you try in their language. I mean, don't we mostly find the English language speech of non-native English speakers so appealing? (Looking at you, Mr. Manu.) Your comment is five years old. Hope you unfroze long enough to talk up a storm in Italy. Ciao. 😌
Questo è fantastico. In tre settimane vado a Italia su vacanza, ma io ho stato imparare Italiano solo quattro mesi. Io sono molto paura perchè vado da solo e voglio fare bene! Grazie per tuo video. Queste sono buona suggerimenti.
Ciao Manu! Innanzitutto complimenti per il tuo canale, per i tuoi lezioni, per il tuo lavoro per aiutarci ad imparare l'italiano. È f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c-o! Mi piace moltissimo. Sono d'accordo, cento per cento: vincere la paura di parlare ( anche di scrivere) è molto importante. Studio l'italiano da un po' più d'un anno, sono appena arrivato d'un viaggio straordinario in Italia. Era un grande piacere chiachierrare in italiano con degli veri italiani! È totalmente vero che impariamo facendo errori! Allora bravo per i tuoi consigli nel apprendimento della lingua italiana, sono consigli che mi ricordo ogni giorno. Ho capito che sei imparando il francese. Sono canadese o quebecchese cioè della parte francese del Canada. Parlo inglese ma la mia madrelingua è il francese, allora se vuoi (se hai il tempo ovviamente) potremmo chiacchierare in francese. Sarebbe un piacere. Un abbraccio!
Ciao Manu! I just wanted to let you that I really enjoy your lessons! I just discovered them last week on RU-vid. I just finished my Rosetta Stone software! They're extremely helpful and I am excited to keep watching more of them! Thank you!!! :)
per il primo caso, grazie per i tuoi video’s meravigliosi. Sono nato in America, più di 60 anni fa. La mia famiglia è venuto da Napoli. Quando ho deciso di imparare l'italiano, ho improvvisamente capito parlo un po 'napoletana, ma non italiana. Naturalmente ho molte domande, ma posso chiedere questo? In inglese direi: I am studying …. (Sto studiando) ma se parlo italiano direi: io studio? in generale, nel caso di parlato italiano? Grazie D. Barlotta
Salve Angelo! And thanks for your message! In Italian we tend to only use the continuous form (sto studiando) for things that are really literally currently doing. So if I call you and you are literally studying, and I ask you "che fai?" (what are you doing) you would, in that case, say "sto studiando". That's because you are actually doing it now! In all other cases we use the present tense!
Ciao Manu! First of all I wanted to say that I think your videos are fantastic and very useful, and your english is outstanding but I wanted to ask: do you still find it difficult to speak and think in it? I know italian fairly well, and I am also learning French and Spanish. I am working towards a native level in those languages because it's my absolute dream to be mistaken for a native speaker but lately I have been having my doubts if this is truly attainable. What are your thoughts and experiences? Thank you!
That was also my problem I wanted to ask so thanks for answering but question again is whenever I go out I find it difficult to hear what they say to cos dey speak too fast so it becomes difficult for me mingle with them plss help me....Grazie
Hi Manu, thanks for the super video! I am due to go to Italy this year, and just to assist me I have a Google translate on my smart phone if I get in to tricky and awkward situations, just to give me some peace of mind. I have been learning some Italian, just the basics. Do you think its a good idea to use the translate software, or do you feel the Italian people make think its stupid>? I would love to know, cheers, and keep up your excellent videos, regards, Cliff.
Hi Cliff! If it makes you feel safer, use the translator as well, don't worry! Although it certainly is not accurate and not all translations will be correct, but it's not a problem for us in Italy.If you have some time before your trip, you might think about enrolling in one of the courses in our Academy, like this that's very useful for those traveling in Italy : academy.italymadeeasy.com/course/speak-italian-from-day-1 - Italy Made Easy Staff -
Here are a video about "ci" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OnTEwCPnOIo.html&lc=UgyXFcX_uwNX_JmFZwd4AaABAg, but many others video will come. Follow us! Un abbraccio - Italy Made Easy Staff -
Hi! If your mind goes blank, can you get away with throwing in English words? In other words how familiar are Italians with English in touristic areas ? Thanks
Ciao Carol! In terms of "speaking well", my languages are Italian (native), English, Spanish and Portuguese. I have a very good grasp of French, but I have spoken it in a long time so the "speaking with confidence" aspect is not there! Over the years I have also learned and forgotten Catalan and Japanese. Now learning Auslan, the Australian Sign Language.
Wow! I admire people who speak a lot of languages.. I hope one day I can be like that too haha. My first language is Spanish, I also speak English (pero como no lo practico mucho, cuando debo hablarlo me da un poco de nervios y olvido algunas cosas..) I'm studying Italian (your videos are very helpful), and I'd also like to learn German!! :))
