Learn a language, speak intermediate Spanish, learn Italian. The Museum of Knowledge team is often asked how quickly a student can learn a language especially if they have already mastered another or have good knowledge of an alternative language.  There are some similarities between Italian and Spanish that may help language learners adapt more quickly. Some aspects of verb conjugation and nouns have a similar structure and most importantly, many words and verbs are written in a similar way. However the pronunciation of Italian is very different to Spanish.

The similarities between Spanish and Italian verbal communication include the speed with which both languages are spoken but that is where the similarity ends. The distinctiveness of Italian pronunciation may even present difficulties for those who are already intermediate speakers of Spanish. That notwithstanding, the vocabulary and similar sentence structure may enable those who speak Spanish to intermediate level to learn Italian within three to six months.

The length of time required to learn Italian is of course dependent on the number of hours a new student dedicates to language learning. To be able to speak Italian within three months and to be able to at least enter into simple dialogue such as personal introductions requires at least three hours of weekly tuition plus an additional three hours of personal study time.