Answers
Mar 26, 2013 - 08:05 PM
Mar 27, 2013 - 07:32 AM
thanks for the french link...I've just taken the quiz to realize how much of my high school french I've lost!
Mar 27, 2013 - 10:18 AM
Mar 27, 2013 - 04:05 PM
Mar 27, 2013 - 08:03 PM
Mar 28, 2013 - 04:25 PM
But it doesn't matter. I speak now about 25 words in Mandarin - and believe me, I foist those on every Chinese person I meet. So if you're throwing yourself out there, speaking with whomever will listen, then YES, you speak Italian. My 12 year old is doing Spanish for Spain and now close to Level 5, I realize there's a lot more to know beyond that, but she now has the foundation, the springboard to dive into the language and culture.
I remember trying to learn Italian with tapes in my car as I traveled as a stand-up comic. I knew how to ask "Where is the Post Office," and I remember asking an Italian couple that question in a flight from Nassau to Miami --- Just GO for it. People LOVE (well most) that you're trying to learn their language. It's flattering. ---- Again, Congrats on getting through all those levels. !!!!
Mar 28, 2013 - 04:43 PM
Mar 29, 2013 - 10:47 AM
Mar 29, 2013 - 05:12 PM
Mar 30, 2013 - 08:44 AM
My Dutch, German, and Spanish I consider elementary with my Spanish being the best of the three. I know very simple phrases and words but not enough to get thrown into Germany or Mexico and interact.
I don't think you have to be completely fluent to "speak the language". but it helps! I can't tell you how many times, I speak with talian relatives who are advanced in English but are still students like we are. I find language learning is just a process that keeps going. Think about our school days..we studied English for a solid 17 years or more and we still learn new vocabulary on a daily basis.
If you want your Italian to be "fluent" instead of just "advanced", increase your immersion in the language. Watch Italian television; speak only Italian; when you go shopping, identify objects by their italian names; read Italian newspapers online including their facebook pages where you can easily find native speakers; and finally "deve andare in Italia!"
Also, find Italian pages of your interests. If you love fashion, check out Vogue Italia. etc etc
And as crazy as this sounds, I usually take my Italian dictionary that I've had since 6th grade and read at least 2 pages daily and I will usually learn a verb or noun that I never knew before!
Buona Fortuna Kristin!
Mar 30, 2013 - 10:11 AM
I do listen to italian radio a lot (even now) but am disappointed in my comprehension. Vado in Italia in Maggio! We'll see how the comprehension goes then.
Mar 30, 2013 - 10:22 AM
I also remember seeing 'fluency' exams on the internet for many languages and they grade you and tell you what level you are and what you need to improve on.
Do not be disappointed in comprehension... italian television and radio are difficult at times to comprehend. They use slang, speak 10x faster, and have local accents and local words thrown in.
Mar 30, 2013 - 03:12 PM
Apr 01, 2013 - 11:34 PM
Apr 02, 2013 - 01:31 PM
Apr 17, 2013 - 08:23 AM
Apr 17, 2013 - 11:18 AM
Apr 18, 2013 - 09:24 AM