Sheltered Initiation Language Learning 

Italian Lesson 1: practice confidence.

To help you get an initial impression of words, it helps to use memory tricks like the following "associations." Say them ALOUD several times each, trying to visualize or understand their "meaning." (These associations are aimed at speakers of English; make up your own if you don’t like these.)

play pollo for CHICKEN

TEA for the tailor

does Pa neigh when he eats BREAD

father, be voracious, PLEASE!

Now say the words to be learned ALOUD several times.

pollo
tè
pane
favore

Test yourself until you know all words studied. (It is best to use flash-cards with pictures as cues, rather than English words.)

Step 1: Word-Quiz

Translate each of the following words.

1. please

2. bread

3. chicken

4. tea

 

One of the secrets of SI is to teach only 5 or so words at a time: This is how many words can actually be acquired well enough to speak with at any one time. (You can acquire as many words as you want, even in one day, as long as you acquire them 5 at a time.)

Step 2: Pattern-Drill

Tè, favore!

Practice this sentence-pattern by saying your own sentences.

Put the words learned together in a simple but communicatively adequate sentence-pattern. Don’t try to combine two things in one sentence: Keep it simple and use two separate sentences.
Of course, four words isn't much. But if you learn five new words four times a week, you will know 90 words in a month, and 300 in a semester - more than enough to begin having conversations.

Step 3: Talk now!

Imagine being in a noisy restaurant. Order several things - in separate sentences. Talk very loudly, or you won't be heard!
Remember:

Talking is a sport: Practice doing it smoothly.

COMPREHENSION EXERCISES: using context.

Use the sentences below as reading exercises — but they are also models and samples for how to comprehend in conversation. (These are exercise-types: Additional exercises can be constructed according to these types — some of them by learners for each other.)

You have guests: Can you catch what each wants? ("skip-comprehension")

1. Per favore mi porti pollo, se può.

2. Sarebbe il massimo poter avere tè.

3. Si volesse essere così gentile de mandare pane tostato.

Notice how, given the context (they are asking for something), you don’t have to know all the words they say. This is a model for how you can comprehend in a new language far beyond your vocabulary: (1) use context; and (2) catch whatever you can, and guess on the basis of that.

Italian lesson 2
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