Talk Languages: Italian: language lessons in London, with pay&go private tuition.

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About Italian

A language of the *Romance family spoken in Italy. The standard literary and official form is based upon the Tuscan dialect used by Dante, the Italian poet.

*Basically descendants of Latin, the group consists of modern French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, the Rhaetian group of dialects, Sardinian and the now extinct Dalmatian. These languages are classified under the name 'Romance' on the basis of a shared vocabulary, which originated from the Roman conquerors of the Mediterranean Sea, in which the languages of the group are clustered. Since 1500 their use has spread outside Europe to South America and Africa, with French, Spanish and Portuguese colonisation.

Is Italian difficult to learn?

Our Rating: **	* = Easy ******** = Very difficult
Explanation:	Romance languages are easier for English speakers to learn, due to similar alphabets, sentence structure, and relatively straightforward pronunciation.
Watch out for:	Making nouns plural is not always as straightforward as it might seem.

About Italy

Italy is located in Southern Europe, occupying a peninsula bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea (west), the Ionian Sea (south) and the Adriatic Sea (east). The principle offshore islands are Sicily and Sardinia. Except for small coastal areas and the Po valley in the North, the country is generally rugged and mountainous. The main rivers are the Po, Tiber, Arno, and Adige.

Economy:	Agriculture is still important, the main crops being wheat, maize, grapes, and olives. Industry has expanded considerably since World War II and is now the most important sector. Tourism is a vital source of revenue.
Historical Fact:	By 275 BC most of the penninsula had come under the rule of the Romans. As the western Roman Empire declined from the 4th century AD, Italy was invaded by a succession of barbarian tribes, including the Visigoths and the Vandals
Official Language:	Italian.
Official Religion:	Roman Catholic.
Official currency:	Euro.
Area:	301,425 square kilometres.
Population:	57 million.
Capital:	Rome.

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View of Rome

Feedback on our Intensive English Tuition

"My Italian teacher is lovely. She makes the classes very clear and simple. I can't wait to go to Italy and practice what I've learnt."
Melanie, Stoke Newington

"I'm delighted with how my first Italian lesson went. I plan to see my teacher twice a week. It is very good value for money... and your customer care is admirable."
Freelance Journalist, Leytonstone

"I was so very impressed by the speed and efficiency with which Talk Languages went about organising my tuition, that I have subsequently recommended them to several friends."
Phil, London

"I loved it! I can't wait to go to Italy to practice."
Helen, Romford

"Once again, many thanks, and, should I wish to learn another language, I now know where my first call will be."
Rob, Essex

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