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How to Learn Italian Fast: Top Tips for Beginners

Writer's picture: Amby MathurAmby Mathur
Amby and marco cheers with cafe
I often get asked, "How did you learn Italian so quickly?" I'll share my tips below.

So, you want to learn Italian fast? Maybe you’re dreaming of sipping espresso in a sun-drenched piazza while effortlessly chatting with the barista. Or perhaps you're planning a romantic getaway and want to impress your amore with something more than just “Ciao, bella.”


Learning Italian doesn’t have to be a slow, textbook-driven process. With the right approach, tools, and a bit of passion (and maybe even a passionate Italian partner—but more on that later), you can start speaking Italian velocemente!


From the best apps and books to immersive experiences, let’s dive into the most effective ways to fast-track your Italian learning journey.


PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. I MAY RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU ON ANY PURCHASES MADE AFTER CLICKING/FOLLOWING A LINK. I ONLY PROMOTE PLACES/PRODUCTS/SERVICES THAT I VISIT, USE, & LOVE MYSELF. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING MY BLOG :)



a person holds a phone while taking italian classes in a cafe
Apps can be a great way to begin your Italian journey

1. Best Apps to Learn Italian


Language-learning apps are like a personal tutor in your pocket—ready whenever you have a few minutes to spare. Whether you’re commuting, waiting in line for a gelato, or procrastinating actual work, these apps make it easy to sneak in some Italian practice every day.


📱 Mango Languages


  • Why It’s Great: Mango is an underrated gem in the language-learning world. It uses real-life conversations, color-coded sentence structures, and native-speaker audio to help you develop practical speaking skills. Plus, it teaches cultural insights, so you don’t just learn the words—you learn how to use them naturally.

  • Best For: Learners who want a structured, conversation-based approach with strong grammar explanations.

  • Standout Feature: Their unique color-coded sentence breakdowns make learning sentence structures intuitive and easy.

  • Available on iOS and Android.


📱 Babbel Italian


  • Why It’s Great: Babbel is one of the best apps for grammar—which, let’s be honest, is essential when dealing with Italian verbs (hello, passato prossimo vs. imperfetto confusion). Lessons are short, practical, and designed for real-life conversations. Plus, the built-in speech recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation.

  • Best For: People who like a structured, lesson-based approach with bite-sized grammar explanations.

  • Standout Feature: Babbel tailors lessons based on real-life scenarios, like ordering food, making small talk, or (importantly) flirting in Italian.

  • Available on iOS and Android.


📱 Duolingo


  • Why It’s Great: Ah, Duolingo—the green owl that will not let you forget to practice. While it’s not the most comprehensive app for serious learners, it’s fantastic for building a daily habit. The gamified approach keeps learning fun, and the short exercises help you reinforce vocabulary and sentence structure without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Best For: Absolute beginners and casual learners who want a fun, low-pressure way to start Italian.

  • Standout Feature: The streak system and competitive leaderboard keep you motivated (because losing to your best friend in Duolingo is simply not an option).

  • Available on iOS and Android


Which App Should You Choose?


  • Want a structured, grammar-focused approach? → Go with Babbel.

  • Prefer conversation-based learning with cultural insights? → Try Mango Languages.

  • Just want a fun way to stay engaged? → Stick with Duolingo.


Using a combination of these apps will give you a well-rounded learning experience, helping you build vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and master tricky Italian grammar rules faster.


an italian book
Books are also a great way to learn Italian.

2. Best Books to Learn Italian


While apps are great for practice, nothing beats a good old-fashioned book to solidify grammar and vocabulary. I was so excited when I got my first Italian book!


📖 “Italian Made Simple” by Cristina Mazzoni

  • Why It’s Great: A fantastic starting point with grammar explanations, exercises, and vocabulary in digestible chunks.

  • Buy It Here: Amazon


📖 “Practice Makes Perfect: Italian Verb Tenses” by Paola Nanni-Tate

  • Why It’s Great: Italian verbs can be tricky, but this book simplifies conjugations with clear explanations and tons of practice exercises.

  • Buy It Here: Amazon


📖 “Barron’s 501 Italian Verbs”

  • Why It’s Great: If you want to sound fluent, you need to master Italian verbs. This book is the ultimate reference guide for conjugating like a pro.

  • Buy It Here: Amazon


a notebook, laptopl, and mug on a desk
An online course is a great way learn Italian with the support of a teacher and other students.

3. Take an Online Course


Sometimes, you need a bit more structure (and maybe a live person telling you No, you can’t just say ‘parlo italiano’ for everything). Online courses provide interactive lessons, personalized feedback, and a sense of accountability.


💻 Riviera Dreamer’s Live Beginners Italian Crash Course


  • Why It’s Great: A fun and engaging live class where you get to practice speaking in real-time with a group. Perfect if you need motivation and accountability.

  • Best For: Those who want live interaction and personalized coaching.

  • Sign Up Here: Riviera Dreamer’s Course *mention code AMBY10 to save 10%



Amby and marco happily go down the wedding aisle
If your significant other is Italian, you're almost guaranteed to improve your language skills!

4. Date an Italian (Seriously, It Works)


Now, I’m not saying you should move to Italy just to find an Italian lover (though, honestly, I wouldn’t blame you). But dating someone who speaks Italian is one of the fastest and most natural ways to learn the language.


I speak from experience—when I fell in love with Marco, a Napoletano, our relationship also became a bilingual exchange program. In the beginning, we only understood about 30% of what the other person was saying. Two and a half years into our relationship, (we're married now!) we understand each other about 95% of the time lol. Speaking Italian daily with Marco helped me improve my vocabulary, pronunciation, and confidence. At the same time, I helped him with his English. It was a win-win.


If you’re already dating an Italian, make an effort to speak their language as much as possible. If not, well… maybe it’s time for a romantic Roman holiday? Just saying.


Amby and Luigi chat over making pasta
Speaking Italian with my friend, Chef Luigi

5. Move to Italy (Or Try to Immerse Yourself in Italian Culture Daily)


Want to move to Italy? Get my free PDF guide to help make your dreams a reality.


If you truly want to master Italian fast, immersion is key. That doesn’t mean you have to pack up and move tomorrow (though, again, not a bad idea). But surrounding yourself with the language makes a massive difference.


  • Talk to Locals: In Napoli, I make it a habit to chat with my local baristas every morning. I started with simple conversations like “Come stai?” and made it a habit to remember their names. Now when I walk into the bar, I am greeted with "We! Amby! Ttappò!?"(a very warm Napoletano greeting.) Ordering Coffee in Naples, Italy: A Crash Course in Espresso Etiquette


  • Watch Italian TV: Shows like Il Commissario Montalbano or L'Amica Geniale will introduce you to authentic Italian dialogue. You can listen in Italian and have English subtitles, and then gradually work your way up to Italian subtitles as you get more fluent.


  • Listen to Italian Music & Podcasts: Play Italian music in the background and follow along with lyrics. Podcasts like Coffee Break Italian are great for passive learning.



a group of students at a desk
I highly recommend taking an intensive in-person Italian course if you can!

6. Take an In-Person Italian Class


Sometimes, there’s no substitute for a traditional language school. If you’re serious about learning Italian, taking a structured course in person will accelerate your progress.


🏫 NaCLIPS in Napoli

  • Why It’s Great: The school that I went to! I took an intensive course, followed by private lessons, and it skyrocketed my learning. It also gave me a sense of structure and community while I began my life abroad.

  • Exclusive Discount: Mention the code "Amby25" when booking for a special discount.

  • Sign Up Here: NaCLIPS Napoli


Other well known in-person Italian schools include:

  • Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (Florence, Milan, Rome, Siena) – Website

  • L’Accademia Italiana (Salerno) – Website


Final Thoughts: Learn Italian Fast and Have Fun Doing It!


Learning Italian isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary—it’s about experiencing the language. Whether you’re using apps, reading books, taking classes, or flirting with an Italian (for educational purposes only, of course), the key is consistency.


The more you immerse yourself, the faster you’ll learn. So, go ahead, order that espresso, book that flight, and start speaking Italian with confidence.


And who knows? Maybe learning Italian will lead you to your own love story. 💕


Buona fortuna e buon viaggio!


Un bacio,

Amby


P.S. Want my 2 Week Southern Italy itinerary? Get the guide here.



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