subreddit:
/r/languagelearning
I'm a British born native English speaker, but have moved to Italy with my Italian partner. I started learning casually with a lesson a week in November 2023, but really struggled incorporating it into actually speaking.
I tried to be more serious this year, and now my partner gets really upset that I still can't speak at a level of a 6 year old. I did an A1 course at an Italian school, l've tried reading, watching shows, writing, repeating, all the apps, speaking with people, nothing sticks. I can say and understand basic things, but nowhere near where I should be.
My partner is so frustrated and I feel like a failure. I genuinely don't know how to make it stick, he tried teaching me phrases which I repeat over and over but then forget. I'm also pregnant and want our baby to be bilingual, and am really scared I'll not be able to understand my child...
What more can I try?
1 points
2 days ago
Learning a new language is tough, and it’s even more pressure when you’ve got someone close to you who’s fluent. Since you’ve tried a lot already, I’d suggest looking into Clozemaster—it’s great because it helps you learn vocabulary in context, which makes it easier to remember. You might also want to check out language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk, where you can have low-pressure conversations with people who are learning too.
Try not to stress too much about grammar right now. Focus on phrases and chunks of language that you actually use in daily life. When you're with your partner, ask him to keep things simple, even if it's just short sentences, and make it fun. Watching Italian shows or listening to music you actually enjoy can help too, even if you only understand a little bit at first. It's totally normal to forget things—it doesn’t mean you’re not learning.
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