Thursday, March 27th
2025 Italian Lesson Reviews
Busuu
- Affordable Premium membership for $7.51 a month
- Offers Italian courses from A1 to B2 levels
- Pronunciation course for mastering Italian sounds
- Interactive fill-in-the-blank activities with native speaker videos
- Bite-sized lessons for easy daily learning
- Certificate issued upon course completion for Premium learners
- Review tool to focus on grammar areas needing improvement
- Speaking and writing exercises with feedback from real Italian speakers
- Competitive learning environment through Busuu Leagues
Busuu is a decently popular online language learning platform. It started in 2008 and was bought by Chegg in 2022. Busuu focuses on teaching you to use the language in real-life situations through interactive exercises, flashcards, and dialogues that show words in their natural contexts. One of the cool things about Busuu is that learners can check each other's work, creating a community where everyone helps each other learn.
A1 to B2
Busuu offers several Italian courses. The "All Courses" track covers levels A1 to B2 and is perfect for all learning stages. The "Complete Italian" course offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons. If you're planning a trip, the "Italian for Travel" course teaches useful phrases. There's also a new "Italian Pronunciation" course to help you speak with more confidence.
Special pronunciation course
In the Pronunciation course on Busuu, you'll learn a lot about Italian sounds. Starting with the five vowels a, e, i, o, u, you'll find out how they can change the meaning of words. For instance, they can tell you if a word is about a woman or a man (italiana vs italiano), one person or many, or even if it's about you or someone else (parlo vs parli). You'll also learn about vowels with accents. Some lessons are paywalled and require a Premium account. For example, you can learn the different sounds of "c", "g", and "sc" in words like "ciao", "gelato", and "scusi". Plus, you'll learn about unique sounds like "gn" and "gli" in words like "gnocchi" and "moglie". Lastly, you'll learn to ask questions in Italian, using question words and the right intonation.
Fill-in-the-blank activities
Exploring the Complete Italian course, you'll notice videos featuring native speakers against a backdrop of Italian landscapes. We always appreciate these kinds of videos, because they keep you engaged and help train your ear to the authentic sound of Italian as it's spoken on the streets. The lesson structure often involves listening to a sentence, choosing the correct corresponding written sentence, and then listening to it again to select the correct word to fill in a blank. Once you select the right word, a translation of the entire sentence appears, sometimes accompanied by a useful grammar tip.
Literal translations would be useful
We would have found it more useful if more information about grammar was included. For example, knowing the literal translation of phrases could help you understand the language better. The phrase "bene, grazie" doesn't mean "I'm well, thank you". It actually means "good, thanks". Understanding this can help you begin to think in Italian more naturally.
Bite-sized lessons
After finishing a lesson on Busuu, we received a cheerful message informing us that if we stayed on track at that 1-lesson-a-day pace, we'd be able to finish the beginner Italian course in 77 days. This means that in a little over two months, you'll be able to introduce yourself, order food, have basic chats, and fill out personal details on forms - all in Italian. The lessons are pretty brief, though, so you could easily do that in half the time.
Might not be challenging enough
The lessons on Busuu might not be challenging you in the best way. Are the lessons really testing your ability to recall vocabulary, or just your skill at picking the right answer from a list? It would be nice if there was an option for you to use your keyboard to type in answers manually. This way, if you were to use the wrong conjugation of a verb or the wrong gender of an adjective, it would be marked as incorrect. But when you can only select answers from a list of words, the chance of making such mistakes is eliminated, and you might end up thinking you know more than you actually do. Unfortunately, very few online Italian courses let you toggle on your keyboard or make things more difficult for yourself, because they don't want you to get frustrated and stop using their app or website.
A1 level has 35 chapters
The Busuu Complete Italian course is divided into individual lessons that are grouped into chapters. For example, the first chapter focuses on introductions and the second chapter on nationalities. After getting through 35 chapters, you'll reach the end of the beginner's level (A1) with a chapter on holidays. Additionally, you have the option to skip some content. If you feel confident in your skills, you can use checkpoints at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge and move on to the next level faster.
CEFR certificates for Premium learners
When you finish a course level on Busuu, you get a Certificate as a reward for your hard work. This Certificate has your name, the level you've reached based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), your grade, the date you got it, and a summary of the Italian language skills you've shown at that level. But remember, you can only get these Certificates if you're a Premium learner. Certificates are available for Italian levels from A1 to B2. They're always adding more, so keep an eye out for new levels and Certificates.
Separate review tool
From the homepage, you can access Busuu's Grammar Review, which tracks your progress, identifying the areas you need to focus on. This is based on when you last practiced, the lessons you've completed, and your previous scores on grammar topics. To improve your Italian, the system encourages you to practice the areas you need, exactly when you need them. There are 16 categories you can delve into. For example, topics like distinguishing between masculine and feminine words, and forming singular and plural words.
Adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions - oh my
You'll also study different types of words, such as adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. For instance, you'll learn how to use adjectives to describe things like "il gatto e piccolo" (the cat is small), or adverbs to express time, like "Vado a scuola domani" (I'm going to school tomorrow). You'll also explore different verb tenses, including the present, past, and future, and others like the imperative for giving orders, (for example, "Mangia la mela" - Eat the Apple). You'll also uncover patterns in Italian verbs and understand different types of sentences and phrases.
Get corrections from real Italian speakers
Busuu provides "Conversation exercises" where you can practice speaking and writing in the language you're learning. This feature can be found under the "Community” tab. Here, you can write or speak about a topic and get feedback from other users who already know the language. This gives you a chance to learn from your mistakes. You're also encouraged to help others by giving them feedback on their language exercises. You can correct someone's work directly and even leave a comment to explain your corrections or give encouragement. This not only helps them, but can also give you more confidence in your language skills and even make you new friends.
Compete to make it to the Opal League
On Busuu, after you finish 2 lessons, you'll be part of the Busuu Leagues. This means you'll join a weekly competition with up to 40 other learners trying to earn as many points as possible. You can earn points by completing new lessons, revising old ones, practicing vocabulary and grammar, and correcting other learners' exercises. The competition starts at 5am on Monday and ends the following Monday at 2am. If you finish in the top ten, you'll move up a League, but if you're in the bottom five, you'll move down. Don't forget, if you don't participate for a week, you'll stay in the same League. As a new member, you'll start in the Blue League and can move up through Bronze, Silver, Gold, and finally, the top Opal League. Getting to the Opal League is a big achievement, but the real challenge is staying there.
Premium for $7.51 a month
While there are some things you can do with Busuu for free, you definitely won't be able to forget you're using the Basic version thanks to long ads before lessons. With Premium, you won't see any ads, and you'll be able to access all lessons. This plan also offers personalized revision, quicker feedback from native speakers, and the ability to use the app without internet (Offline Mode). Plus, you'll get certificates from Busuu when you finish a course. The cost for a year of Premium is usually $257.64, but often, you can find deals that lower the price to $90.15, which works out to $7.51 per month. So, it's a good idea to wait for a deal before buying.
Might not be challenging enough
You might find that Busuu really helps get you started learning Italian at a beginner level. However, after you pass the A2 level, the course content may seem less comprehensive. The B1 level has half the lessons of A2, and according to users, there's no grammar review for levels beyond A1. You might also feel like there's not enough content overall. While you may enjoy the feature where native speakers review your work, the exercises could be more challenging. For example, tasks might only ask for you to provide 3 examples of basic verb forms, which you could easily check yourself.
A decent choice but not amazing
We think Busuu is a good tool to kickstart a daily habit of studying Italian, but it's nothing extraordinary. If you decide to use it, remember not to rely entirely on it. You also need to use textbooks, watch YouTube videos, and listen to podcasts to help you become fluent or comfortable in conversational Italian.
More Italian Lesson Reviews
The 11 Best Italian Lessons
Where Can You Find the Best Italian Lessons?
Learning any new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Italian, with its rich history, captivating culture, and melodious rhythm, is no exception. Learning Italian online has become an increasingly popular choice for people around the globe, thanks to the convenience, flexibility, and variety of resources available at their fingertips.
It's no wonder that learning Italian online has surged in popularity. You've got plenty of options to fit just how you like to learn. If you prefer to learn by listening and getting the hang of how Italian sounds, there are programs made just for that. They help you get used to the language's rhythm and pronunciation. And if you love games, there are fun platforms where you can learn new words and grammar through play, earning points and badges along the way.
Italian Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
If you're someone who likes a clear and structured plan, there are courses that mix video lessons, quizzes, and even writing tasks. This way, you can get better at reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Italian, all in a balanced way.
Prefer talking to real people? You can connect with native Italian speakers through tutoring services. They can talk with you in real time, which is a great way to learn how people actually use the language and learn more about Italian culture.
Whether you're drawn to Italy's enchanting cities, passionate about its cuisine, an admirer of its contributions to art and music, or simply looking to connect with family roots, learning Italian can enrich your life in myriad ways.
Imagine strolling through the cobbled streets of Rome, ordering gelato in flawless Italian, or enjoying the operas of Verdi and Puccini in their original language. Or perhaps you're an avid cook, eager to dive into authentic Italian recipe books without the crutch of translations. Learning Italian can also be a stepping stone in your career, especially if you're involved in fashion, architecture, or the culinary arts, industries in which Italy holds a prestigious position. Moreover, for those with Italian heritage, learning Italian could be a bridge to understanding your ancestry and connecting with relatives in a more meaningful way.
When comparing the process of learning Italian to other Romance languages, like Spanish, there are a few unique aspects you might encounter. Italian's pronunciation is often more straightforward than a language like French, with most letters having a consistent sound, which can make speaking it a bit easier for beginners.
However, Italian has its share of challenges, such as the use of gendered nouns and a plethora of verb conjugations, aspects that are also present but differ slightly in Spanish. The musicality of Italian, with its emphasis on the flow and melody of speech, offers a distinct learning curve but can be incredibly rewarding to master.
Not sure where to start? Think about these things as you weigh your options:
- Your starting point. Are you brand new to Italian or do you know a bit already? Pick lessons that match where you're at.
- How you like to learn. Do you prefer using apps, listening to audio, or sitting down at your computer? Choose a format that fits your routine and how you learn best.
- What skills do you want to focus on. Do you want to get better at talking and listening, or are you more into reading and writing? Or maybe you want to work on everything! Knowing this will help you choose the right lessons.
- Different Italian accents. Some programs might teach a specific regional accent in addition to the standard Italian that's used all over Italy. Italy's full of different accents, but everyone understands standard Italian.
- Cost. Some lessons are free, while others cost money either upfront or through a subscription. Think about what you're willing to spend and what you get from free versus paid lessons.
- What other learners say. Look for reviews from people who've used the lessons before. Their experiences can tell you how effective the lessons are and how quickly you might learn.
To steer you towards the best Italian lessons that align with your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated today's leading options and provided honest feedback on what each one offers. So, what are you waiting for? Start your Italian learning journey today!
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