Want to learn Italian with me?

Buongiorno!

Katey sent me a link yesterday to this great website for language learning:

http://www.livemocha.com/

It's free and seems to work pretty well! It uses images and different types of activities to help you learn, it sounds similar to Rosetta Stone. I did the first two Italian lessons last night and learned: I am, you are, he is, she is, man, woman, girl, boy, short, tall, rich, poor, old, young, I am not... It's not going to help us rent an apartment yet but it's a start. :)

The website also has you enter other languages you know, and as I finish exercises it's also sending me other people's German exercises to review. So I guess I'll be brushing up on my German at the same time - that can't hurt!

That reminds me of an interesting thing I noticed when I went to Italy in June... As I was reading the Italian signs or hearing the language, German words and phrases started coming back to me. It's like my brain said "I'm in a place that speaks a different language, access this part of the brain now..." Too bad it wasn't actually helpful!

I am finding that I'm excited to learn a new language and also to remember my German. Maybe it's just learning something new, or maybe it's because I'll really be able to use it in the near future. Whatever the reason, it's fun! Ciao!

PS - Yesterday's photo was of Piazzo Duomo in Milan. Today's is of a backstage area for a theater we saw while wandering around Milan - these little girls in tutus were too cute! I only had a half a day of sightseeing while I was there in June, so I don't have too many photos, but it's fun to share!