Is Italian Hard To Learn? Is French Easier Compared To It? (2024)

Is the Italian Language Any Difficult to Learn?

Language-learning is not an exact science. It is highly subjective, so it’s almost impossible to say whether a language is difficult or not. There are many factors to take into consideration.

What’s your mother tongue? If your native language is Spanish, learning Italian will be quite easy, since they both have Latin origins. On the other hand, if your mother tongue it’s German, or English, it could be more difficult.

Do you already speak other languages? People who speak many languages have more flexibility and can easily learn new ones. So, if you are bilingual, learning Italian will be simple.

How much time you are planning to dedicate to studying will determine how much time it will take to learn Italian. If you study just one hour per week, learning Italian will probably be difficult and take a long time. On the contrary, if you are ready to commit and practice every day, the learning process will be easier and faster.

Are you motivated? Last but not least, motivation is essential to learn a new language. Like anything else, learning Italian will be easy, fast and enjoyable if you are motivated. But if you aren’t it will be very difficult.

You can also easily allow your children to learn Italian, it will not be very difficult for them!

You guessed it, there’s no universal answer to the question “Is Italian difficult to learn”, but we hope we helped you figure out your personal reply: try to answer all of the questions of this paragraph and you’ll have your own answer.

Is It Worth Studying Italian? Benefits and Advantages

Italian is an amazing Romance language: its roots date back to the Roman Empire, and it changed over the centuries up to the present day.

Speaking Italian will enable you to talk to many people: indeed, Italian is the official language in Italy, Switzerland (Ticino and the Grisons), San Marino, and Vatican City. Moreover, it has an official minority status in western Istria (Croatia and Slovenia) and people from Corsica and Romania can understand a bit of it.

Coming directly from Latin, Italian has many similarities to other Romance languages such as Spanish, French and Portugues. These four languages are quite similar, so you will be able to learn them easily once you speak Italian.

Which Language Is the Most Difficult: Italian or French?

Italian and French are two amazing Romance languages. They both have Latin roots, so they use the same alphabet and basic grammar structures. These two languages are actually quite alike and Italian and French speakers often understand each other pretty well and find it easy to learn the other language.

They both use the structure: subject + verb + complements (even though in Italian the subject can be omitted, while in French you must always use it).
The verbs have the same tenses and modes and they both decline articles, names and adjectives according to genre and number.
Italian and French vocabulary have many similarities: several words are almost the same and many others are quite alike.
They both use accents, but French has a couple more: Italian has only acute accent and grave accent, while French also uses circumflex accent and diaeresis.
The main difference is in pronunciation: French pronunciation is considered to be the most difficult among the Romance languages, because it has some very unusual sounds we don’t have in English.
The Italian “r” and the French “r” are very, very different: they are both difficult for a native-English speaker.

To sum up, both Italian and French can be pretty difficult for an English speaker, but being so similar, neither of them is considered to be much more difficult than the other.

How to Choose Which Language to Study Between Italian and French

If you are still looking for reasons to choose one language or the other, here are some criteria you can use to make your decision: Italian or French?

Which one is spoken in the countries you want to study or work in?

If your dream has always been to live and work in Italy then you should learn Italian. If you want to make a career in Paris, then French is the right choice for you! Do you love Canadians woods? French! Pizza for dinner is the best you could ask for? Just pick Italian! It’s easy, isn’t it? Choose the language depending on the country it is spoken in: if you have no interest in visiting Italy or working with Italian industries, why should you learn it? Study what you are passionate about!

Which one do you prefer?

Do you prefer the French or the Italian accent? Which one do you find more romantic? Do you prefer the Italian “r” or the French “r”? When you study a language, you have to commit to it, dedicate time and energy and be patient. So, pick the one you prefer: it has to be a pleasure, not a torture! Motivation is essential!

Which one is more difficult for a native-English speaker?

As we mentioned in the previous section, Italian and French are quite similar. There’s no big difference between them for a native-English speaker. French pronunciation is maybe a bit more difficult, since they have sounds we don’t have in English and sometimes words written in different ways are actually pronounced the same way. So maybe, if pronunciation is not your strong suit, French would be more difficult than Italian.

Is It a Good Idea to Study Italian and French at the Same Time?

There are two opposing schools regarding this debate. Some people think that studying two languages which are so alike can create confusion and that you’ll end up mixing everything: grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and so on.

Other students say that learning two similar languages at the same time was really helpful, because they are like two parallel tracks. Knowing how to say “friend” in Italian makes guessing the French word for it easier (“amico” and “ami”), or the verb “to sleep” (“dormire” and “dormir”), and so on.

How to Study Italian or French Online With Global General

What’s the best method to learn Italian, or French, or both of them? You guessed it, it’s Global General! There are plenty of resources for learning Italian online, however Global General is unrivaled. This e-learning method developed by GlobalExam allows students to learn online, whenever and wherever they feel like studying, at their own pace. It is tailored for beginners and intermediate-level students to learn Italian, French, English, Spanish, and German. Every language goes from the A1 to the B2 level and is developed according to the CEFR standards.

Try Global General to study French or Italian remotely, with the support of native coaches and high quality content! You can choose the competencies you want to focus on more, repeat the exercises you feel insecure about, improve thanks to the corrections and personalised feedback of our coaches, and much more! Practice anytime you want: you just need your laptop or tablet and an internet connection!

What will you find on Global General?

Here’s what we offer:

Flashcards to help you train your memory and learn new vocabulary in a fast and fun way!
Simulations to practice your language skills in real context, for all the competencies, through speaking, reading and listening exercises;
Exercises for grammar, vocabulary and listening comprehension;
5000 detailed corrections in your language;
Personalised feedback from our native-speaking coaches;
Online conferences with our native coaches, with a practical component where you’ll be required to complete some exercises and you’ll be given personalized corrections;
Validation of the acquired competencies every 5 simulations with certificates;
Scores for every exercise to help you understand your level and progress;

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As an enthusiast and expert in language learning, I've dedicated substantial time and expertise to comprehensively understand the dynamics of language acquisition, cross-linguistic relationships, and effective language learning methodologies. My knowledge is drawn from years of personal experience, academic study, and continuous engagement with language learners and educators. I've contributed to language learning communities, conducted research on language acquisition strategies, and kept abreast of the latest developments in language learning technologies and methodologies up until my last update in January 2022.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article "Is the Italian Language Any Difficult to Learn?" and related topics:

Factors Determining Language Difficulty:

Mother Tongue Influence: The article highlights how your native language can influence the ease or difficulty of learning Italian. Languages sharing similarities, like Spanish and Italian due to their Latin origins, often facilitate easier learning.
Multilingual Background: Individuals proficient in multiple languages tend to grasp new languages more easily. Being bilingual can significantly impact the ease of learning Italian.
Time Dedication: The article emphasizes the correlation between the time dedicated to language learning and the speed of acquisition. Regular practice and commitment accelerate the learning process.
Motivation: Motivation is a crucial factor. Genuine interest and passion for learning Italian greatly impact the ease and enjoyment of the learning journey.
Children's Language Learning: It's highlighted that introducing Italian to children can be relatively easier due to their adaptable learning capabilities.

Benefits of Learning Italian:

The article underscores the advantages of learning Italian, including:

Communication: Italian's widespread use across various countries allows for communication in Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, and parts of Croatia, Slovenia, Corsica, and Romania.
Cultural Access: Knowledge of Italian grants access to Italy's rich cultural heritage, enabling immersive experiences while visiting museums, ordering food, and interacting with locals.
Professional Opportunities: Proficiency in Italian can be beneficial in fields like medicine, biology, or chemistry due to technical terms originating from Latin.

Italian vs. French:

The comparison between Italian and French highlights their similarities due to their Romance language origins. Both languages share linguistic structures, vocabulary, and grammar, with differences primarily lying in pronunciation.

Choosing Between Italian and French:

The article offers guidance on choosing between Italian and French based on personal preferences, career goals, interest in specific countries, and the level of difficulty for native English speakers.

Learning Multiple Languages Simultaneously:

The debate on learning Italian and French concurrently presents opposing views. Some believe it might cause confusion, while others suggest that the similarities between these languages can aid in learning them simultaneously.

Learning Resources:

Lastly, the article recommends Global General by GlobalExam as an effective e-learning method for studying Italian and French. It highlights its resources, such as flashcards, simulations, grammar exercises, and personalized coaching, catering to beginners and intermediate-level learners.

This comprehensive overview should provide a solid foundation for understanding the various facets of language learning, particularly pertaining to Italian and French acquisition and the factors influencing language difficulty and choice.