How to Teach English in Italy (Simi & Diff, FAQs) | 2022

Teach English in Italy: Learning a foreign language can be more difficult than it seems for children and adults, especially when this language is not the primary mode of communication in the learner’s environment. 

Different learners of a foreign language develop differently and learn at different paces. Some learners spend years acquiring proficiency in a foreign language, while for some, it takes only a couple of months.

In between the vast gap among these learners were factors that either aided or hindered language learning.

Honestly, it has nothing to do with the intelligence of the learner as long as they’re not mentally challenged.

This article talks about how to teach English in Italy, English language tips, and a lot more.

How is “Italian”?

Italians are the citizens and nationals of Italy. They share a common history and culture and also speak a common language – Italian.

It is by a margin the most spoken language in Italy having 97% of people in Italy speaking the language.

Italian sounds like Spanish. They are part of a language family known as romance languages. French and Portuguese are also parts of this family.

They share similarities in many things, like agreement of nouns and adjectives, use of definite and indefinite articles, noun declension, and noun gender. etc.

Similarities and differences between English and Italian

First of all, it is essential to know that English is the most spoken language in Italy after Italian, with 13.7% of people in Italy speaking it.

Although English does not look like Italian or sound like it, both languages have great and surprising similarities. 

  • Their alphabets: the English and Italian alphabets are the same, except that the letters: J, K, W, X, and Y are not in the Italian alphabet.
  • Latin is a big similarity between English and Italian, owing to the fact that much of the English vocabulary is of Latin origin and that Italian as a language came from Latin.
  • Borrowed words: Many Italian words are used today in English so often that they sound English to us. Examples of such terms are cello, solo, stanza, paparazzi, graffiti, and mafia. Etc.

In the same light, many English words have made it to the everyday usages of average Italian and sound Italian to Italians.

Teach English in Italy: Why Italians need to learn English

Italians need to learn English for a couple of reasons, but the most obvious one is to communicate with foreign people.

Italian is spoken only in Italy except for small parts of some countries with few Italian speakers.

On the other hand, English is the most spoken language in the world, and it is the closest thing to a universal language after the collapse of Esperanto.

It is also essential to recognize that Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists, so it is sought of a necessity for Italians to learn English.

Opportunity for English teachers in Italy

There are many opportunities for English teachers in Italy, ranging from the demand for public schools to private schools and language institutions.

The English language is in high demand in Italy. But amidst these opportunities, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, teaching experience from your country, and a certificate for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).

How to Teach English in Italy

If you’re a teacher of the English language in Italy, here are some tips that’ll make teaching and learning English more effective.

1. Use English more often in class

It is generally true that the things we use appreciate while those we don’t depreciate. It is the law of use and disuse, valid for languages.

One may have the most professional teachers of the English language and a conducive environment for learning; in fact, one may even learn the English language to a considerable level before forgetting it entirely due to disuse.

This is how children learn the language spoken in their environment. So, we’ll suggest this as the singular most important element in learning the English language.

Teachers of the English language in Italy should quickly teach the students some of the most frequently used words and phrases in the classroom and demand that the students use them in English classes.

It is essential to help build the English vocabulary of the learner, which is invaluable in learning the English language.

2. Teach about the English people and their culture

Alongside learning English, students of English should also learn about the people, their land, and their culture.

It is true that the more you know people, the more attractive they become to you. English students will more desire to learn the language if they get a handful of knowledge of the English people and their culture. 

So, we suggest that teachers of English in Italy adopt the technique of teaching students not only the language but the culture too, as it helps to make teaching and learning English more effective.

3. Give them experience beyond the classroom

Language in the classroom is different from the language in the real world. Students of a new language need to hear the new language from the mouths of the original speakers.

In this case, where the learner lives in Italy, where English is not spoken, learners should be provided with videos and audio of the English language to get them acquitted to the language, its pace, and the speakers’ gestures.

Generally, it helps them get comfortable with the language, which is essential in learning it.

It also demands that English language teachers encourage the students to use the language outside the classroom. To play games, act plays and watch movies in the English language. 

Frequently Asked Questions on teaching English in Italy

Can I teach English without a degree?

While a bachelor’s degree is typically required to teach English online, there are still plenty of options for those who meet the minimum requirements of being a native speaker, holding a TEFL certificate, and having some classroom experience.

How much do TEFL English teachers earn?

If you’re qualified, you can make a respectable living teaching English in a foreign country. Educators in high-paying countries might expect monthly salaries of $2,000 to $5,000 or more. Teaching English as a Foreign Language pay ranges from low to high, depending on location, experience, and the country where you teach.

Is the TEFL course difficult?

Getting your TEFL certification is not particularly challenging. There are usually interviews and stringent admission requirements for face-to-face courses, so students who are not likely to succeed in the program are not allowed.

What are the most difficult words to pronounce in the English Language?

Draught.
Quinoa.
Onomatopoeia.
Scissors.
Anemone.

Conclusion:

We believe the tips we have provided will benefit English teachers in Italy.

Still, we made these tips with the assumption that the teacher is professional and knowledgeable in both speaking and teaching of English language.

This assumption is a prerequisite to the tips we gave above, making it the most important factor in teaching the English language in Italy. 

Thank you for reading through; we hope these tips are helpful to you and your students.

Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.

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ST Admin
ST Admin

Hello, I am ST Admin! For five years, I began actively assisting students in Europe, the United States, and Canada in their pursuit of college advice and scholarship prospects. I am the Administrator of www.schoolandtravel.com at present.

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