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Want to understand Italian better in 2014?

December 31, 2013 by Daniel

Presenting, the 2014 “Improve your listening” challenge!

You’ll understand spoken Italian better.

For free.

Starting tomorrow.

Interested?

Practice what I preach

I’ve been teaching languages for over two decades now, but it has been a while since I was actually learning a language, at least at a beginner/elementary level.

My Italian is quite advanced, so it wouldn’t really be fair for me to lead a “listening challenge” aiming to improve my own understanding of Italian, but not facing the same difficulties as you might do.

But, thirty years ago I got an O-level in French. That’s the exam we Brits do at age 16.

Since then I’ve done no courses in French, never lived there, visited very infrequently, and have basically no connection with the language or the country whatsoever.

In short, I have no interest in French, and a very, very limited ability to speak or understand it.

That changes tomorrow, when the “expert” (me) has a go at improving his listening level in a foreign language, setting out as he does so what he’s doing, and why.

Step by step.

All you have to do to improve your Italian listening is follow along.

You might agree or disagree. But you’ll be going in the right direction.

And the more people who get involved, and share ideas, by commenting on the articles, the more everyone will learn, both from my experience, and by sharing your own experiences.

2014 “Improve your listening” challenge, outline

This is the “teachery” bit.

You’d expect a teacher to know where he or she is going with a lesson, and with a course of lessons. That’s what we get paid for, right?

Usually, though, I don’t get to teach myself.

So in this case, a bit of experimentation is to be expected.

But I do have a pretty good idea of what I want to achieve.

First I’m going to work out what my existing level in French listening comprehension is (and show you how to do the same for your Italian).

Then I’m going to try a variety of things to improve that level, over a period that is long enough to bring results.

And I’ll be working on different ways to keep my motivation high, while I put the in the work necessary to achieve the desired effect.

Finally, I’ll evaluate my progress to see if I’ve improved.

And consider what I’ve learnt about how to learn.

And define my future goals, if any.

If you’re willing to follow along, you should end up with a “road-map” that works for you to improve your Italian listening comprehension.

And have a lot of fun, of course.

Without spending a cent.

What to do right now

I want you to leave a comment:

“Ci sto” (I’m in!) Plus maybe a brief intro (in English or Italian, your choice).

Who you are. Where you are. Why you want to improve your listening in Italian.

That way participants can get to know one another.

Don’t hesitate to say “Ciao” by using the “Reply” button to respond to someone’s comment.

What happens next

I have a business to run, a payroll to meet, taxes to pay. So, there’s a limit to how much time I can devote to improving my French listening comprehension.

But with your enthusiasm and comments, I’ll find the time to regularly work on it, applying “best practice”, and writing up what works for me and what doesn’t, so you can give it a try yourselves.

I’ll also be reading your input with interest.

Expect a post or two a week, for about six weeks. That’s how long I estimate it will take me to improve my listening comprehension by about one level.

“Ci stai?”

Leave a comment on this article.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Filed Under: Articles

Comments

  1. Trofim says

    December 31, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Ciao,
    ci sto!
    Mi chiamo Sergei, (trofim e’ il mio nome utente), sono russo, vivo in una piccola citta’ russa.
    Vorrei migliorare il mio italiano in tutti gli aspetti, perché… Beh, non ho un certo motivo… Ho semplicemente un gran piacere imparando questa lingua.
    A presto!

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      Ciao Sergei,
      Buon anno!
      Daniel

  2. Trofim says

    December 31, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Sono ancora io, scusatemi per favore, ho completamente dimenticato:
    Buon Anno Nuovooooo!!!! Felicissimo 2014 a voi! Che sia un anno pieno di serenita, amore, e fortuna per tutti!
    Ciao!

  3. Sue Stanford says

    December 31, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Ci sto! Sono Sue e abito in Inghilterra. Voglio migliorare il mio italiano primo di venire a Bologna per il mio corso d’italiano (a Madrelingua) in aprile.

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      Ciao Sue!
      Buon anno.
      Daniel

  4. Willem-Jan says

    December 31, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Ci sto! Sono Willem-Jan, di origine Olandese, ma abito parttime in Italia. Listening has up untill now been the most difficult skill to aquire: to make a telephone call in italy is always a traumatic experience.

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      Ciao Willem-Jan,
      buon anno!
      Daniel

  5. John Thomson says

    December 31, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Daniel

    If you can pull this off, some sort of Caveliere must come whistling your way

    “I am in” – “sono dentro” I would say as opposed to “ci sto” literally “there I remain / stay”

    that “b****y ci seems to get everywhere”
    Lei ci vede – she sees us NO PROBLEM
    Lui ci da il libro – he gives us the book NO PROBLEM
    vorrei andarci – I would like to go there NO PROBLEM
    ci alziamo – we get up NO PROBLEM
    ci voule due ore – it takes two hours WHAT DOES ‘ci’ mean here? Does it represent a concept
    lo vedo – I see it NO PROBLEM
    ci credo – I believe it WHAT DOES ‘ci’ mean here?

    A proposito di me
    Mi chiamo John Thomson, sono scozzese ma abito a Ormskirk nel nord del’Inghelterra con mia moglie Jennifer e il nostro cane Sam.
    Ho ottant’anni era un medico e ho lavorato in un’ospedale
    Mi piacciono tutte le cose italiane, purtroppo non ho visitato l’Italia e adesso sono troppo viecchio

    Daniel mi ha insegnato non avere paura delle errori

    ciao a tutti

    John

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      Ciao John,
      buon anno a te e alla tua famiglia!
      Daniel

  6. Mary-Teresa Branton says

    December 31, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Ci sto, Daniel! At last I am replying…Sono Maria Theresa , da Liverpool. Mi piacciono all your posts but i’ve just never got round to replying before despite really good intentions.
    Been to Madrelingua four times, have loved it and learned loads each time -but never stayed long enough (yet).
    First time, I naively thought, “I’m paying the school to push this language into my head through my ears somehow , and out of my mouth it will flow!” Within one day there I had revised my ideas to a more realistic goal…! And the school has supported me brilliantly – with skill, enthusiam and friendship.
    I am happy to spend as long as it takes to comprehend this beautiful, musical language. (A lifetime and more).
    So I look forward to your new efforts and insights, Daniel…
    Ciao, Maria Theresa

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:40 pm

      Ciao Mary-Teresa,
      Yes, I remember you from the school. Nice to see you here too!
      And congrats on your attitude – learning a language can be a life-long endeavor, but one to be enjoyed!
      Buon anno,
      Daniel

    • John Thomson says

      December 31, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Ciao Maria Teresa

      Sei di Liverpool? Tanti anni fa ho lavorato nel’ospedale di Walton, lo conosci ?

      Sei una tifosa di calcio? quale squadra preferisci? io sono un Evertonian

      Piacere di conoscerti

      John

  7. Vicki says

    December 31, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    Ciao, ci sto anche (o sono dentro, come dice Daniel). Mi chiamo Vicki, sono degli Stati Uniti. Mi piaciono tutte le cose italiane–l’arte storica, l’architettura storica, il cibo, il vino, la terra, la gente, la lingua! Ho studiato l’italiano tanti anni ma mi manca la pratica per parlare e ascoltare. Ho visitato l’Italia forse 10 volte ma due o tre settimane a la volta non sono abbastanza per imparare bene la lingua. Sarebbe meraviglioso megliorare l’italiano con tutti voi.

    Buon anno,
    Vicki

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:41 pm

      Ciao Vicki!
      E benvenuta. Ci sentiamo nel 2014!
      Daniel

  8. Lee says

    December 31, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Ci sto Daniel. Leggo abitualmente la sua email. Mi interesso sempre di imparare meglio l’italiano. Alla prossima volta.

    Lee

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:42 pm

      Buon anno, Lee!

  9. Rich says

    December 31, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Ci sto. Abito in Pennsylvania. I thought I was more advanced than I really am. The lessons are a big help, my listening has been on google.it and I only understand a small piece of what is being said.

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:43 pm

      Ciao Rich,
      The whole “not understanding” thing is something we’ll be talking a lot about. Don’t worry, it’s absolutely normal.
      Buon anno!
      Daniel

  10. Tom says

    December 31, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    Ci sto! Ne vorrei provare.

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:43 pm

      Salve Tom!
      Piacere conoscerti. Al prossimo anno!
      Daniel

  11. Stuart Reininger says

    December 31, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Grazie, Ci sto…
    Sono un americano io sono abitare adesso per lavorare a bologna per pochi mesi, e mi piace molto la tua emails, noticie etc..ho studiavo l’italiano “adesso e allore” per quattro anni e adesso io posso parlare (in molto cattivo italiano) e gli italiani (qualche volta quando loro sono molto gentile) possono capire me, ma io ho grande difficile in capire quando altre parlare…e come tu puoi vedere, il mio scrivere e’ niente per essere orgogliosi di…..Qualsiasi cose che sarebbe aiuta io provero’..:)

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 5:58 pm

      Ciao Stuart!
      Benvenuto, e buon anno!
      A domani,
      Daniel

  12. Jane Barnard says

    December 31, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Ci sto – e domani comincerò la mia studia. Io abito in Italia e anche Inghleterrra e qualcose io penso io so la lingue italiano e poi – no lo so! Basta! I am off to celebrate New Year’s Eve and so it only remains for me to say Buon Anno per 2014, oh – e mi chiama Jane

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 6:58 pm

      Altrettanto, Jane!

  13. Dot Read says

    December 31, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Ci sto! Grazie daniel – un buon’ idea!
    Mi chiamo Dot, studiavo l’italiano per 5 – 6 anni, e abito a Leeds nel nord del Inghilterra. Sono andata due volte a Madrelingua. Per me, ascoltare e capire la lingua è la cosa più difficile.
    Buon anno a tutti!
    Dot

    • Daniel says

      December 31, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Ciao Dot,
      la dottoressa, vero?
      Buon anno a te, e vediamo se 2014 non può essere l’anno in cui cappiamo TUTTO!
      Daniel

  14. Dianne Perrin says

    January 1, 2014 at 2:52 am

    Grazie….ci sto, Daniel.

    I was a student at your school about 4/5 years ago…….time to take up Italian again.

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:51 am

      Absolutely, Dianne! New Year’s resolution…

  15. Julian says

    January 1, 2014 at 2:57 am

    Ci Sto. Grazie Daniel. Mi chiamo Julian e sono di Nuova Zelanda. Amo Italia e un giorno vorrei li vivere. Avevo studiato lingua Italiana per un po anni. Non posso comprendere bene la conversazione fra due italiani. ciao

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:52 am

      Benvenuto Julian, e buon anno!

  16. Linda LoCascio says

    January 1, 2014 at 3:20 am

    Bravo. Sonno LoCascio Abito a Minnesota USA. Ho bisogno parlare Italiano melgiore. Allora ascoltare e
    sapere e vero?

    2014!

    Grazie tanto
    Linda LoCascio

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Salve Linda, e benvenuta!
      Ci sentiamo presto…
      Daniel

  17. Terry says

    January 1, 2014 at 5:53 am

    Ci sto. Il mio nome è Terry dagli Stati Uniti.
    Voglio imparare a parlare italiano. Ho preso diversi corsi, ma hanno problemi con i maschili contro sostantivi femminili e la coniugazione dei verbi.
    Buon Capodanno!

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Ciao Terry,
      ho gli stessi problemi… Non preoccupare, è normale.
      Daniel

  18. Simon Hutton says

    January 1, 2014 at 8:03 am

    Ciao Daniel,
    Ci sto. Sono insegnante d’Inglese a Salalah in Oman. Studiavo Italiano prima ma purtroppo ho dimenticato molto perche non ho l’occasione di parlarlo. Vorrei provare ancora una volta. Grazie mille e felice anno nuovo.

    Simon
    (Sono Inglese)

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:54 am

      Simon, sei un prof. di inglese, come me!
      Benvenuto, e altrettanto.
      Daniel

  19. July Rice says

    January 1, 2014 at 9:11 am

    Ciao. Ci sto! E come! I am a Londoner who has spent most of her life in California teaching high school English. Now, I live in a small village near Torino. I have studied Italian through various books as well as the Rosetta Stone method; however, it seems that no Italian speaks in the “Rosetta Stone” way! I am quite isolated here and when people do talk to me, I comprehend little. I have tried the TV, but the language is spoken too quickly for me to “get it.” Reading all your messages has given me hope. I do not feel alone. There are indeed other people out there with my problem. Happy New Year to all.

    • Julian says

      January 1, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Hi July Rice

      Its good to know when we are not alone. But its scares me a little to know you have my problem of not being able to comprehend Italians talking to each other, and you live there! How long have you lived there?

      grazie
      julian

      • Daniel says

        January 1, 2014 at 11:58 am

        Hi Julian,

        Good on you for replying to July. While she hasn’t replied yet, I thought I’d jump in and mention:

        THIS IS ABSOLUTELY PERMITTED AND ENCOURAGED!

        Supportive friends/classmates are a great help when learning anything, so there more people get involved the better.

        On a technical note, once you have had one comment approved, any future comments should not need approval and will be visible instantly, making this sort of delayed conversation much easier…

        A presto!
        Daniel

  20. Katy Wheeler says

    January 1, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Ci sto! Mi chiamo Katy. Sono inglese di Southampton, UK. Parlo gia francese e inglese (ovvio!), un poco tedesco anche. Ero a Venezia in maggio 2013 per due settimane a cominciare a imparare la lingua italiana. 40 lezioni/due settimane! Fantastico! Adesso, imparo la lingua italiana con un insegnante italiani qui a Southampton. ma voglio tornare a Venezia questo anno, anche, allora vorrei migliorare per preparare alla visita. Buon anno a tutti! 🙂

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Ciao Katy!
      Benvenuta. Dove hai studiato a Venezia? All’Istituto Venezia per caso?
      Daniel

      • Katy Wheeler says

        January 1, 2014 at 12:03 pm

        Ciao Daniel! Si, all’Istituto Venezia 🙂

        • Daniel says

          January 1, 2014 at 12:22 pm

          We’ll be there at the end of the month for an ASILS meeting. They’re nice people, and we’re looking forward to seeing the school.
          But when you get bored with Venice, give Bologna a try!!

          • Katy Wheeler says

            January 1, 2014 at 1:35 pm

            Ha – how could I ever get bored with Venice?? ;D

  21. John Thomson says

    January 1, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Wow Daniel 40 comments as of 1/1/2014 – fantastico

    I wonder if some contributers are perhaps a little confused between REPLY and LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE, I know I am

    Secondo me LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE is like starting a new conversation ‘thread’ to which others can REPLY

    REPLY is a reply to an already submitted comment so I can see if anyone has replied to my comment or follow any other ‘threads’

    Whether one uses COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE or REPLY dictates the order in which one’s text is stored for further viewing

    What I do is to make a note of number of comments (at the moment it is 40) if no further comments have been added there is no need to search for any new ones

    I also ‘check’ the NOTIFY ME OF FOLLOW UP COMMENTS BY EMAIL box then I should not miss any new comments

    I hope I have interpreted the comments / replies stuff

    Cheers

    John Thomson

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 12:46 pm

      That’s helpful, John. Thank you.

      If I may, I’d mention that the “Day 1” article has just been published, so I’d suggest that we move the conversation over there.

  22. Charlotte says

    January 1, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    I’ll try in Italian, and hope it’s not too messy. . .
    Ci sto!
    Mi chiamo Charlotte e sono Norvegese. Vivo in campagna dove io studio letterature nordici e lavoro come scrittore. Imparo la lingua italiana da 2 anni adesso. Prima di trasferito a campagna, ho lavorato a un centro culturale di Italiano, a Bergen, Norvegia, come volontario (non insegnare). Nel 2013 sono stata in Italia per la prima volta. Vorrei ritornare, e vorrei capire più.

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Benissimo, Charlotte!
      Allora, sei una scrittrice.. Cosa scrivi? Articoli? Libri?
      Daniel

  23. Ruth Stephens says

    January 1, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Ci sto. Leggendo tutti le risposte pensavo che bello che tante persone di diverse parte del mondo possano incontrare e communicare attraverso questo sito e tutti hanno la stessa difficolta’ con l’ascoltare e capire dell’lingua Italia e il desiderio di migliorare. Buona fortuna e buon anno!
    Fra parentesi, mi chiamo Ruth, ho studiato Italiano per 15 anni ma con poco diligenza, quindi il mio livello non e’ cioche’ dovrebb’essere. Spero fare meglio quest’anno.

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Benvenuta Ruth!

  24. Margaret says

    January 1, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Il suo progetto mi pare molto interessante. Le auguro buona fortuna e senz’altro vorrei partecipare. Sono un’anziana che studio la lingua italiana da molti anni, ma solo a periodi e per questo, non ho fatto molto progresso! Durante le settimane che vengono, aspetto un periodo di difficoltà perché traslocheremo in un’altra parte del paese. Ma studiare sarà una buona distrazione!

    • Daniel says

      January 1, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      A me sembra che hai un buon livello, Margaret. Complimenti!

  25. Jean says

    January 2, 2014 at 12:50 am

    Ci sto! Mi chiamo Jean. Sono americana. Abito nello Utah. Vorrei parlare ed ascoltare l’italiano meglio perché vorrei viaggiare in Italia per visitare i parenti. Sarebbe meraviglioso se potevo comunicare con loro.

    Buon anno,
    Jean

    • Daniel says

      January 2, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Ciao Jean,
      e benvenuta!!
      Daniel

  26. Hildegarde says

    January 3, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    “Ci sto” … non parlo italiano e vorrei apprendere.

    • Daniel says

      January 3, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      Benvenuta, Hildegarde!
      Daniel

  27. Cyndie says

    January 3, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Ci sto! Mi chiamo, Cyndie, e abito in California. I have studied for three years and can still only speak and understand basic Italian. While at times I get discouraged, I refuse to quit trying!
    a presto
    : )

    • Daniel says

      January 4, 2014 at 10:33 am

      Ciao Cyndie,
      Benvenuta! And good on you for not giving up!
      Daniel

  28. Chris says

    January 4, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Ciao Daniel
    Ci sto, mille grazie. Sono Chris e abito in Australia a Perth nel Australia Occidentale. Vorrei imparare l’italiano, parlo un po’ ma faccio troppi sbagli. Spero che andro’ a Bologna e La scuola Madrelingua nel 2015.
    Tanti auguri di Buon Anno a tutti voi.
    ciao

    • Daniel says

      January 4, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Ciao Chris!
      Buon anno anche a te!
      Daniel

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