Two types of language-learner (we’ve got both covered)

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Buondì.

In my experience (approximately 35 years) language-learners fall into two types, in terms of their preferences and what they actually do with their language-learning time:

– the ones that STUDY – that’s to say they learn or don’t learn a language at school, at college, in a private language school (like our Italian school in Bologna), and of course, those who follow published courses, including apps like Duolingo.

Characteristic of this type of learning-path is that, in one way or another, it’s ‘structured’. You do this, then this, then that, then that, then another thing, until you ‘finish’. Or quit.

Also characteristic is that it’s someone other than the student who decides WHAT is to be studied (or ignored) and in what order.

– the ones that LEARN BY DOING, which is largely self-explanatory but could include, for instance, people who use a foreign language at work and so are often exposed to it, and therefore gradually build skills and confidence.

Lots of European companies, particularly but not only in places like Sweden, have English as the lingua franca – all employees, whatever their mother tongue, speak English at work.

Included in the ‘learn by doing’ category are those of us who disdain ‘studying’ but like to hang out in bars and chat, or read/listen to the language, so learn that way.

Now, obviously, ‘studying’ and ‘learning by doing’ are NOT mututally-exclusive categories. Any decent language course or teacher, for instance, will include opportunities for ‘practice’, and hopefully will encourage students to get out there and actually use what they’re learning in some way or another.

While those who prefer bars to books might also ‘study’ at times (when the bars are closed, maybe), especially when just starting out. A good beginners’ course is likely to speed things up somewhat, compared to just immersing yourself and hoping for the best.

So which type of language-learner are you? The type that prefers to study and spends most of their learning time that way, or the ‘learn it by doing it’ type?

In part that will depend on circumstances, for instance if you live or work in a community/company in which the language you’re learning is spoken.

But it’s also, and for first-world learners perhaps largely, a matter of personal experience and inclination.

If your initial experience of learning a foreign language was at school, then clearly that’s what you know how to do, and so might prefer.

If you’re an engineer (Italians like to joke about engineers) then you’ll certainly prefer to study the mechanisms of language before, or instead of, actually using it.

There are two types of language-learner, then. Which are you??

Hopefully neither one!

The ideal language-learner (I admit, I’m not one) will recognise that courses/apps etc. have their place and value, and so prioritise their use when that’s the best option. But also be willing to put them aside when other learning opportunities (bars and books) are available.

Or do a bit and a bit, neither entirely one thing or another, not obsessed by ‘accuracy’, ‘understanding’ or ‘finishing’, but equally, not reluctant to invest time in structured learning when it would seem the most profitable option.

One way or the other, though, we’ve got you covered.

ON THE CLUB WEBSITE there’s a mass of free materials for learners. It’s not a course or an app, but any course or app will need supplementing, so at that point people turn to us. Buono studio!

And yes, as mentioned above, we run an Italian language school in the historic center of Bologna, Italy. Plenty of people include occasional or regular study-vacations in their language-learning paths, so why shouldn’t you?

E poi, for those who prefer either to ‘study’ from home or to ‘hang out’ with native speakers, there’s NATIVESPEAKERTEACHERS.COM, which will fix you up with an online Italian teacher.

Personally I’d suggest that with your online teacher you prioritise chatting and making friends (in Italian, of course) but many people prefer actual ‘lessons’, with homework, grammar explanations and all that boring stuff (recognise the two types of language-learner, even in the same group of clients??)

Chatting with native speakers, or other learners for that matter, will do wonders for your confidence and help develop comprehension skills, but is of course limited by the need for others to be present, or at least online, when you’re in the mood to learn.

But prioritise listening to and/or reading the language you’re learning and that’s no longer the case – you can be listening to/reading the language you’re learning (a form of ‘hanging out with native speakers’) at any hour of the day or night, and at minimal expense!

Hence we promote EasyItalianNews.com, which is free to use, free to subscribe to, and free in every respect, except that they’ll regularly ask for donations to pay their bills. Read/listen to the thrice-weekly bulletins for long enough and your Italian comprehension skills will improve, I promise.

Last but not least, there are ebooks, which may not initially seem to fit well for either type of language learner: those who prefer to study like to focus on grammar, and on learning new words, however pointless, while the ‘hanging out in bars’ crowd are more inclined towards speaking than reading.

Shame really.

While courses and apps don’t typically include much reading/listening, that totally doesn’t mean that an optimal language-learning path shouldn’t include lots of both. Personally I’m of the opinion that the more time I spend reading/listening to the languages I’m learning the better, and to heck with studying grammar.

But where to get enough reading/listening material to keep you going, and at approximately the right level of difficulty for where you’re currently at with your learning?

As I said, we’ve got you covered! And our ebooks store, EasyReaders.org, has a -25% promotion running this month.

But lascia stare saving money, just for a moment. There are literally hundreds of titles for learners of Italian, covering all levels from beginner to proficiency, and there are FREE SAMPLE CHAPTERS for everything, so you don’t have to (indeed, shouldn’t) spend any cash until you know what you’re buying and how useful it will be.

The most effective learners will be doing speaking practice, and lots of reading/listening, as well as following a course or app.

Find out more in these articles published during the ebooks store’s promotion (it ends on Sunday…)

2026 January Sale: ‘Easy readers’ and how to use them

2026 January Sale: ‘easy reader’ ebook picks at your level!

2026 January Sale: Italian self-study workbooks -25%!

And of course these articles with details of the promotion and how to get the discount:

25% Off Graded Italian/Spanish/French/German Study Materials

2026 January Sale! Save 25% on Ebooks for Language Learners!

Alla prossima settimana!

P.S.

And as usual, here’s a reminder to read/listen to Tuesday’s bulletin of news from EasyItalianNews.com.

Reading/listening practice will help you consolidate the Italian you’re studying, expand your vocabulary, and build vital comprehension skills.

EasyItalianNews.com is FREE to read/listen to.

Subscribing, and so receiving all three text + audio bulletins of ‘easy’ news via email each week -on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays – is also FREE.

Just enter your email address on this page and click the confirmation link that will be sent to you.

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