How to improve your Italian? Smart, fun & effective ways to level up

Learning Italian is a wild ride. Some days, it’s a romantic one that makes you feel like you're in a Fellini movie. Others? It’s just plain confusing and you forget how to say even the easiest beginner-level words and sentences.

If that sounds familiar, let me tell you this: it’s just normal. The awkward phase of getting things and somehow still panicking mid-sentence is a part of the learning journey. And everyone who’s learned a language (like, really learned it) has been stuck there.

So let’s talk about how to move forward. No hacks, no miracle methods. Just doable stuff that actually helps, possibly without making you hate the process!

How can you improve your Italian vocabulary?

Vocabulary is one of those things that seems simple at first. You learn a word and you’re proud of yourself so you move on to the next one. But then, two days later, they’re all gone. Poof. And you sit there thinking, “Wait... what was the word for book again?”

Yeah. That’s normal. The problem isn’t you, it’s how you try to learn vocab. Just memorizing random words doesn’t work all that well. To actually remember them, you need a better setup, something intentional (and maybe creative) that helps your brain hold onto stuff. 

So here’s what I’d do if I were starting from zero:

• Use spaced repetition. This is science-backed, you need to review words just before you're about to forget them. And many apps are built around this concept, making them incredibly effective for long-term memory.
• Learn in context. Don’t just memorize that mela means “apple,” learn it in a real sentence like “La mela è rossa”. Your brain will hold onto language much better when it has context. 
• Read widely. The more you see Italian words in the wild, the more they stick. I swear. And don’t stick to your textbooks: blogs, Instagram captions, recipes, they’re all perfect to learn!
• Label your world. It might be old-school but it’s effective: stick post-its on the objects around your home. Seeing “frigorifero” on your fridge 3 times a day? That’s gonna work eventually. It’s a low-effort strategy, so you might as well try.
• Play word games. Learning vocab doesn't have to be boring. Try crossword puzzles in Italian, word association games, or silly sentence challenges. They can make the process much less painful than drilling a list of verbs for an hour.
• Build word families. Instead of learning random vocab, try building around a root. For example: scrivere (to write), scrittura (writing), scrittore (writer). It will help you see the connections and learn faster.

How can you improve your Italian pronunciation?

Italian pronunciation isn’t necessarily hard. Actually, most of the sounds are pretty consistent once you get them. But it does take some (or a lot of) time to train it. Especially if your native language doesn’t roll its Rs or puts consonants together creating those terrible gn and gl.

The good news? A little consistency goes a very long way when it comes to perfecting your pronunciation. And even if you really don’t need to sound like you grew up in Milan to be understood, if you dream of speaking like a true Italian then yes, it’s worth putting some time into it.

Here’s how to make that happen without turning it into a daily source of stress!

• Know the tricky sounds. Start by focusing on those sounds that don’t exist in your language. Like the rolled R, the gli in famiglia, or the gn in gnocchi. Just by mastering them, you’ll step up your pronunciation game.
• Mimic the pros. Pick an actor, YouTuber, or even a TikTok creator you like (they have to be Italian though, ok?). Then, imitate the way they talk as much as you can. You can start easy, with just the words, and then move up to the pronunciation!
• Use pronunciation tools. There are many websites, like Forvo or Google Translate, you can use to hear how native speakers pronounce words. They're not perfect, we all know it, but they’re still perfect for checking your own pronunciation.
• Record and listen to yourself. It feels very awkward at first, but it works. If you listen to yourself carefully you’ll spot mistakes you’d never notice while speaking. And, once you’re past the awkwardness, it is also surprisingly motivating!
• Practice tongue twisters. Yes, telling Italian tongue twisters like “Trentatré trentini” out loud does work. They’re hard, yes, and even Italians sometimes mess up, but they help a lot with clarity and speed.
• Break words into syllables. Say them one piece at a time, like a baby! Then, when you’re more confident, start connecting the syllables. In no time you’ll be able to pronounce even the longer words with zero problems. 

How can you improve your Italian listening skills?

I know it, understanding spoken Italian can be difficult. You start listening to a podcast or overhear a conversation while walking by, and they are speaking so quickly it almost feels like a race. It can be frustrating, especially when you’ve spent months (even years!) studying grammar and vocabs only to understand three words out of a whole sentence.

But the good news is: listening is a skill you can absolutely train, and there are smarter (and way less overwhelming) ways to do it.

• Start by slowing down. Start with slow Italian audio (yes, that’s a thing) to train your ear and catch patterns. Then, once you’re comfortable, gradually move toward normal native speed. 
• Use subtitles strategically. When watching Italian shows or movies, make sure to set Italian subtitles (not English). This way you’ll start to slowly connect the words you hear to what’s actually being said. The only downside? You’ll have to stop the show every 5 seconds at the very beginning!
• Listen daily. Even 5-10 focused (and note, I said focused) minutes of listening every day will be enough to train your brain at the beginning. All you need is consistency, not hours of not-so-focused listening exercises!
• Explore regional accents. Italy is full of dialects and accents. As you learn, try to listen to speakers from Rome, Naples, Milan and, really, wherever. It’ll help you get used to different speech patterns.   
• Join listening clubs. Some language learning communities (on Reddit, Discord, etc.) run regular listening challenges. They're a great way to stay accountable and pick up tips from other Italian students!

How can you improve your Italian speaking skills?

Speaking tends to be the skill most learners avoid. Because, let’s be honest, it’s the one where you feel the most exposed. You’re always afraid of messing up or of freezing mid-sentence. And that’s normal. But here’s the deal (I’m sorry but I really have to tell you): the only way to get better at speaking… is to actually speak.

So, don’t wait until you finally feel “ready” to talk. That way, you might never really start. Push past the fear, stay consistent, and use these tips to make Italian speaking practice less intimidating!

• Find a language partner. Instead of waiting until you’re fluent, use online platforms to organize simple chats with language partners or fellow learners. And while you’re there, don’t focus on being perfect but on expressing yourself.
• Schedule short conversations. Don’t aim for long, exhausting calls right away. Start with 10–15 minute chats. An exchange that lasts only 10-15 minutes is more useful than hour-long chats and will still help you build confidence.
• Use speaking apps. Out there, there are platforms like Italki or HelloTalk that let you practice speaking with prompts, sometimes even getting feedback from native tutors. It’s great if you’re nervous about spontaneous conversation!
• Repeat out loud. Choose a short passage from a book or article and practice reading it aloud. Start slowly and then increase your speed to get more fluent. Bonus point: there’s no pressure to invent sentences.
• Think in Italian.  It sounds crazy, but bear try it.  As you go about your day, describe all your actions in Italian. It will keep the language active in your brain without needing a conversation partner!

How can you improve your Italian writing skills?

Writing in a foreign language can feel strangely vulnerable. When you're speaking, there's room for gestures and rewording when you get stuck. But when you're writing? It's all there in black and white. And for most learners, that pressure to “get everything right” makes it hard to even start.

But here’s the upside: writing forces you to slow down and think carefully so it’s one of the best ways to really get better at grammar. You just have to remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect but simply consistent.

• Keep a daily journal. Don’t overthink it, just write 4-5 sentences each day about what you did or what you're planning to do. You can keep it light and short, but do it regularly everyday.
• Use feedback platforms. Try sharing your writing on websites like LangCorrect or HiNative. Natives and advanced learners can offer corrections, and it helps you spot patterns in your mistakes.
• Practice translation. Take a short text you wrote in English (like a journal entry) and try to translate it into Italian. It’s only a personal challenge but will help you reflect on grammar points and learn the vocabulary you really use in your life!
• Copy native content. Take a short text in Italian you like from a book, article, or blog and write it out by hand. This might look simple but it will help you internalize sentence flow, punctuation, and word order. 
• Get feedback early and often. Don’t wait until your grammar is “perfect.” Post your writing (even rough drafts) and ask for feedback. It’s the best way to improve!

The ultimate tip? Immerse yourself in Italian

This is my very last tip. You can do everything right (memorize vocab, fine-tune your pronunciation, practice writing, nail grammar drills) but nothing beats actually being in Italy.

Why? That’s easy. When you're surrounded by the Italian language 24/7, you have no choice but to adapt. Simple real-life situations like ordering a coffee or finding the right platform for your train trip will force you to practice Italian constantly. So, if you get the chance to go, take it and go to Italy!

Want to make your immersion count? Try this:

• Avoid the English bubble. Hanging out with other English speakers is tempting but make an effort to speak with locals and other Italian learners.
• Get involved. Join a language school, volunteer, or attend local events to maximize your chances of speaking Italian.
• Live with Italians. If you have the chance, stay with an Italian host family or share a flat with other Italians. Daily conversation makes a difference!
• Take a local course. Many language schools offer short-term immersive programs in beautiful and touristic places like Florence, Milan, or Rome.