If you are foreigner and first-time Italian learner, it's likely that you get stuck easily when someone speaks and have problems in understanding.

Don't worry, you will get better the more you get familiar with the language, but in the meantime it's essential to handle these situations and let others know so they can help you.

Italian, as well as other European languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian is derived from Latin, the language spoken by the ancient Romans. Many other countries have been affected by the Latin language influence. English itself has many words derived from Latin, therefore similarities with the italian language.

Italy is located in the heart of the Mediterranean sea, bordered by France, Switzerland, Slovenia in the North and surrounded by Mar Ligure, Mar Tirreno, Mar Ionio, Mar Adriatico and Mar Mediterraneo in the South, East and West. It has two enclaved microstates: Vatican City and San Marino.

To accompain their conversations, Italians often use hand gestures. There are more than 250 gestures, each of them with its specific meaning.

Want to learn more about Italian ? This book may help you!