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Moving to Italy to pursue your higher education can be very exciting; however, a wide range of students face a language barrier in Italy, which could be both surprising and overwhelming. While several Italian universities offer English-taught programs to tackle the language barrier, daily life, like interacting with fellow classmates, grocery shopping, transportation, and more, still requires basic understanding of the Italian language.
In this guide, we will be discussing how the language barrier can be daunting for Indian students, and how they can tackle it and turn it into an enriching experienc
While Italy is quickly become a favorite study abroad destination for international students, students generally face language barrier due to the following reasons:
Now, as you have enrolled in an English-taught program in an Italian university, there are a few essential things that you must do to overcome the language barrier in Italy. Some of the simple, yet essential things include:
Once your education in Italy is confirmed, start learning the basic Italian language. You can start by downloading apps like Duolingo, and Babbel. These apps will help you learn essential phrases. The next thing you can do is listen to Italian podcasts, watch movies, or read beginner texts. Just spending 10-15 minutes daily will help you build a strong foundation for the language.
In Italy, several universities offer free or low-cost crash courses that are designed for newcomers to learn english. You can enroll in one such course to increase your grasp on the language. Additionally these courses help bridge practical skills, and soon you will be able to order coffee, ask for directions, and more similar things in Italian.
There are several university-led conversation clubs and even platforms like Tandem, HelloTalk are available, where you can engage with others, and converse in Italian language. This will give you a chance to practice with locals and other international students. You not only improve your Italian, but also build a valuable network.
The best way to overcome the language barrier in Italy is to include Italian in your daily routine. Staying with Italian roommates or host families can help you practice the language naturally. Additionally, visit local markets, use public transport, and attend cultural events to increase your exposure to the language.
With the advancement of technology, you can always use tools like Google Translate or DeepL to translate signboards, maps, and even menu cards. Further, if you are planning to write an email in Italian (especially to government offices in Italy), try AI grammar checkers. These will not only polish your Italian communication, but also give you confidence to interact in Italian.
Everyone makes mistakes, and these are way more common when learning a foreign language. Acknowledge your mistakes, don’t get embarrassed, learn from them, and keep speaking. You can set small goals, like asking for directions in Italian this week, or ordering your food in Italian, to build confidence gradually.
You can always make use of university resources like language labs, writing centres, and tutoring support to get a better understanding of the Italian language. Not to mention, connecting with international student networks to swap experiences and supportive learning is a great way to learn Italian language.
While not very efficient, a good way to overcome language barrier in Italy is non-verbal communication. You can use gestures, body language, and other visuals (like maps) to aid understanding the language. One of the students, before reaching Italy, clicked pictures of everything on his phone he thought was important, like the washroom, bus, restaurant, etc. All he did was show those pictures to communicate non-verbally.
Pro tip: It is a better idea to carry a phrasebook/dictionary for common scenarios like ordering food or calling a cab.
Learning a new language can be exhausting, but it comes with its set of advantages. Some of them include:
Language barrier in Italy is not a hurdle, it is an opportunity to deepen your connection with the country. With early preparation, real-world practice, cultural openness, and student resources, you can not only learn Italian language, and survive in the country, you enjoy your stay to the maximum.
Therefore, overcome the language barrier in Italy, become fluent in Italian, and open doors to local friendships, better career opportunities, and a confident life in the country.
Do you have questions? Check out these frequently asked questions from visitors and applicants. See if we address your concerns, or feel free to contact us directly.
Yes, especially if you are studying in universities in smaller towns like Pisa, and Florence. While English is spoken in universities, daily life, like buying grocery, transportation, and health services, often require basic Italian skills.
Yes, especially if you are studying in universities in smaller towns like Pisa, and Florence. While English is spoken in universities, daily life, like buying grocery, transportation, and health services, often require basic Italian skills.
Not a necessity, but learning the basic Italian language can help you immensely. If you are interested in learning Italian, book a call with our language expert at YES Italy.
With daily practice of 15 to 30 minutes, you can reach conversational basics within 2-3 months. You can use apps like Duolingo or online/offline classes to learn the language.
Yes, several public universities in Italy offer free or low-cost Italian language crash courses for international skills to overcome language barrier in Italy.
Absolutely. Most employers, especially outside multinational companies, prefer candidates who speak at least conversational Italian.
You can use translation tools (like Google Translate), or reach out to your university’s international office. Joining local groups or Whatsapp communities can also help you survive in the country without basic language skills.
As the days pass by, Italy is increasingly becoming the go-to dream destination for students aspiring to pursue their higher education abroad.
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