When Italian language learning programs first became available I guess I sort of kicked a few tires and thought about completing the language I had started way back in middle school. It was one of those things that I thought could one day be useful, might help me professionally, or could one day come in handy in some practical way. In fact, I justified the several courses that I had spent money on to kick their tires by explaining to the other half that it might be practical someday. Read more…

Okay, seriously. My sister is going to Italy in a year to study cuisine and my parents gave her at home, one on one Italian language lesson tutors as a gift. Real Italians show up to her apartment twice per week and sit with her to get her to speak well. Most of the tutors are guys and I think she has spent three times as much energy drooling and flirting than actually learning the language. Read more…

Now that I have spent the past six days learning Italian for free I have to say that I am quite impressed with myself. I have found a bunch of online “free” courses that are kind of gimmicky and have been anything but helpful. It’s been a blast to get past the gimmicks and get down to business. Who knew it could be so simple? Read more…