Auditory Mastery of Italian: 7 Key Strategies for Effective Learning

5–8 minuti

Ciao! 👋

Finally, the second in-depth article on the VARK test series is finally out!

As I wrote in the previous article, I am a person who prefers to learn through listening and doing (auditory and kinesthetic), and after some research I created the list that makes up this article of the things that seem most interesting to me.
I have not tried all these techniques yet (like everyone 24 hours a day is not enough 😅), but I will probably want to change some techniques in the future and will let you know how it goes.

If you’re an auditory learner (as I have already repeated in other articles on this topic, this is NOT the only channel by which you can learn Italian or any language, but it is your natural preference), you thrive on absorbing information through lectures and spoken instructions, from podcast or language exchange partners, while others may prefer books or hands-on activities.
Visual learners want to see it, kinesthetic learners want to do it, and you?
You just want to hear it.

There’s no right or wrong here; it’s about knowing how you learn best and more efficiently.

Let’s look at this list in detail!

Immerse Yourself in Italian Music and Podcast

This is one of the things I love to do most while walking around or doing things that don’t require a lot of mental effort, like cleaning the house (I make more efficient the time I seem to be wasting by doing it 😂).

One of the best ways for auditory learners to absorb Italian is through music and podcasts. Create a playlist of Italian songs (or maybe take a look to this list of songs divided by level: 100 songs for learn Italian) and listen to them regularly.
Pay attention to the lyrics and try to understand their meaning.
Italian podcasts on various topics can also help improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary (I let you a list of my favorite podcast at the bottom).
Here the list that I always suggest to my students:

Coffee Break Italian
Speak Italiano – Pensieri e parole
Simple Italian Podcast
Italy Made easy
My Italian Podcast
Quattro stagioni con Laura

Interactive Language Classes

(This is not really suitable for those who are introverts.
I’m a person who tends to be introverted: I just don’t feel comfortable in these kinds of situations where I have all the attention on me. I have improved over time because I am now less afraid of other people’s judgment, however, if I can, I avoid them as much as possible.
Since this is a topic that affects both me and many other people, I will write an article soon in which I will talk about some tips for those who want to learn Italian but feel compelled to do things they would never do, like this one).

Enroll in Italian language courses that emphasize oral communication. Look for classes that encourage active participation, conversation practice, and dialogues. Interaction with native speakers or fellow learners can enhance your listening and speaking abilities.

Language Exchange Partners

This is how I started practicing foreign languages, but unfortunately I had to stop because it is very difficult to find people who want to practice consistently…

But maybe you will be luckier!
Try to connect with native Italian speakers or language exchange partners online or in your local community. Engaging in real conversations with native speakers, will expose you to different accents and improve your listening comprehension.

Watch Italian Movies and TV Shows

This is a feature I had already covered in the article for visual learners.
As I wrote there, if you are a beginner I recommend watching a movie or series you already know, so you don’t have to worry too much about the plot. That way, you can focus on what is most relatable to you-the rhythm, the sounds, the accents of spoken Italian.
Start with subtitles in your native language and gradually switch to Italian subtitles or no subtitles at all. This method helps you adapt to the natural pace and rhythm of spoken Italian.

Listen to audiobooks

If you are at the intermediate level and have the same problem as me, that is, you like to read but don’t have the time to do it, this might be the solution for you.
I started listening to the Harry Potter saga in English immediately after listening to it in Italian, and I must say that this strategy helped me so much to focus on the language and not on the plot (same strategy I use for movies).
This allowed me after a few lessons on Italki to unlock more of my spoken English, feel more confident and find myself using expressions I didn’t even know I knew! 😆
Certainly, listening to audiobooks gives you contact with the written and not spoken language, which is more controlled and descriptive, but I find it very useful to get in touch with the culture or to refine the language (if you are already at an intermediate level).

If you want to start listening to Italian audiobooks right away, just sign up for Togetherprice via this link and you can start using Audible for -almost- free for the first month and then continue using it for about 3€ a month, not bad, right? 😉

Flashcards with Audio

Personally, I am only trying the version without audio as a matter of lack of time. But I am sure it would double its effectiveness if I added it!
Create flashcards that include not only written words but also audio clips of their pronunciation (Anki helps you to do this). This multisensory approach reinforces your memory and aids in proper pronunciation.

Practice Pronunciation with Language Tutors

Okay, I didn’t include it because I’m an Italian teacher on Italki, but objectively, it’s a huge help to be able to talk face to face with a native speaker.
You can entire live the pronunciation and rhythm of the language, ask them to repeat and sound out words, in short, for us auditory speakers, it’s the most you can ask for!
If you are consistent, you really see the results.
Again, the problem is finding the right teacher who really understands your needs, but it’s not impossible.
I’ll leave you the link to Italki and take your first trial lesson (almost )for free!

For auditory learners, the journey to mastering Italian is a melodious one. By immersing yourself in Italian audio, actively engaging with the language, and seeking opportunities to converse with native speakers, you can build a strong foundation in Italian.

Embrace these techniques (or only some of them), and soon you’ll find yourself conversing in Italian with confidence, all while enjoying the symphony of Italian language.
So, keep listening, keep learning, and let the beauty of Italian language and culture inspire your linguistic journey.

Before I say goodbye I would like to ask you to tell me what you think about this article, any opinion is welcome, we are all constantly improving!
I will leave you with the list of downloadable podcasts that I have selected.

Buon viaggio alla scoperta dell’italiano!
(Enjoy your journey of Italian discovery!)

Auditory Mastery of Italian: 7 Key Strategies for Effective Learning