How best to move forward

Buon Giorno a tutti,

I am nearly through Level 1 and have passed 3 of 6 certification tests (but still have to refer to notes).

Once I am done with level one should I redo it completely before moving on to level two?

Or maybe continue with level two mixed with redoing level one?

I do and have repeated the conversations multiple times from each level. I have not repeated the more grammar/rules/basics in each section.

Any ideas on a good approach to best move forward to get comfortable speaking. I do not have a live Italian speaker to practice with.

My level is greeting people, asking how they are (and replying), asking a name, introducing myself and ordering food or drink. If was with an Italian speaker beyond that I would likely be saying, “non ho capito. Parla inglese?”

Thanks for ideas and suggestions.

Stan

Hi Stan

I'm sure there are many different answers to your question, given everyone has a preferred learning style.

My approach is to do my best on each lesson, frequently going over the material multiple times, then move onto the next, rather than get hung up on particular points.  My goal is to gain an overview of levels 1-3, do the travelogues to gain course material context, then review, review, review.  All the while, I use other resources to supplement Rocket, e.g. Memrise and Clozemaster.

If you sign up to the HelloTalk app for free, it's easy enough to find people happy to exchange with you, and it offers text and voice message exchanges.  Also, Conversation Exchange on the web is free and useful to find language partners.

Keep experimenting until you find what's best for you, is my recommendation

Buona fortuna!

Chris

Chris,

Thanks for your information and ideas. 

I definately look into your suggestions to find useful tools.

A number of those I've not heard of so thanks for sharing specifics.

Cheers,

Stan

Ciao Stan!

Congrats on your progress through Level 1! It's great that you're working on your Italian. Here's a suggested approach for moving forward:

*** Complete Level 1: Finish all the lessons and certification tests in Level 1, as you're doing. It's essential to have a strong foundation in the basics.

*** Review and Reinforce: After completing Level 1, it's a good idea to revisit the material. Go back through the lessons and take the opportunity to reinforce what you've learned. Practice speaking, listening, and writing in Italian as much as possible. Focus on any areas where you feel less confident.

*** Start Level 2: Once you've reviewed and are feeling more comfortable with the Level 1 material, you can start Level 2. You don't necessarily need to redo Level 1 entirely unless you feel like you missed a significant portion of it. You can always go back to specific lessons or sections as needed.

*** Mix and Match: As you progress through Level 2, you can mix and match your practice. For example, study a new lesson in Level 2, then review a lesson from Level 1. This approach keeps things fresh and helps reinforce your knowledge.

*** Conversation Practice: Continue practicing conversations, as you mentioned. Conversational practice is crucial for becoming comfortable speaking. You might also consider shadowing (repeating what you hear) to improve pronunciation and fluency.

*** Expand Vocabulary: Start expanding your vocabulary. Learn new words and phrases related to your interests or areas you'd like to talk about. It's an excellent way to make your conversations more engaging.

*** Language Exchange: While you mentioned not having a live Italian speaker to practice with, you might explore language exchange platforms or apps where you can connect with Italian speakers who want to learn your language. It's a great way to practice speaking.

*** Set Goals: Set specific language learning goals. For example, aim to have a five-minute conversation in Italian on a particular topic within a month. Having clear goals can help you track your progress.

Learning a new language can be challenging, but please remember that it's a journey, and everyone progresses at their own pace. Don't worry about making mistakes, as they're all part of the learning process. Just focus on being consistent and practicing regularly. I believe in you!!! :) 

Buon apprendimento! (Happy learning!)

Thanks much for the excellent feedback. Will definitely implement those strategies.

Grazie Mille!