Is it Better to Speak or to Die?
An opinion piece by Emma Riggs, University of Connecticut
Umbra Rep for Spring 2026
Tips on Learning and Using Italian During Your Time Abroad.
Embarrassment is an underexplored emotion, often because we are intent on avoiding it. It is uncomfortable and puts us in a vulnerable state. But I think that the concept of embarrassment has become oversaturated and has stunted our ability to express ourselves and grow as people. Confidence is something that requires practice, the progression of which is significantly hindered by our fear of embarrassment. An example of this that I’ve recently identified is learning a new language and using it. Being abroad, I’ve been given the opportunity to learn to speak Italian, but a limited vocabulary and a not-so-firm grasp of grammar mechanics does not inspire a lot of confidence when going to talk to a native speaker. After almost 4 months here in Italy, the only thing I’m fluent in is ordering a cup of coffee. But that doesn’t mean I’m not able to communicate effectively in other situations. In this article, I’m going to share my tips for learning Italian during your stay here in Perugia, and my tips for pushing through the fear of looking or sounding silly.
Take Notes in Class
The confidence in your ability to speak Italian starts in how you approach learning it. You’re given an exercise book upon starting your Italian language journey at Umbra, but I’ve found having your own notes on the class material to be very helpful. Aside from the numerous studies that have shown that handwriting notes can help with retention, I’ve found that handwritten notes allow me to put the concepts into my own words or create my own visual representations. Writing things down also prompts me to ask questions and get certain concepts clarified. So, when it comes time to review for exams, or even exercises in class, all the information I need is organized in a way that is ideal for me. Also, a small notebook with the essential information is a lot easier to pick up to study from than a big textbook, which if you’re anything like me is full of scribbled translations and doodles.
Practice Outside of Class
Having your Italian class four times a week is great, but it ultimately occupies a very small amount of your time. A great low-stakes way to practice outside of class is a language-learning app like Duolingo or Babbel. This is advice that you’ve likely heard many times. But I hope I can break it down for you. Daily practice is, of course, the most effective. But keeping a streak isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially among other class work, travel, and exploring the city. A lot of times there seems to be something better to do than open your language app. Personally, my streaks of practice have been spotty, but I truly have noticed progress in my comprehension, pronunciation, and confidence when I have been consistent. In many ways, whether with your app or not, you do practice to some degree every day being immersed in the Italian culture. The most important thing is to make an effort; it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Be Patient with Yourself
As a perfectionist, this is probably my biggest challenge when I learn something new. It is hard to accept being bad at something, even though it’s completely normal to struggle with new skills and knowledge. I’ve found that I’m especially self-conscious of my American accent. As a result, I default to English during interactions in restaurants and elsewhere to avoid the mere possibility of feeling embarrassed for my choppy Italian. But this robs me of the growth that comes from making mistakes. I know it’s annoying to hear, but it’s true. Making mistakes will help you to remember the proper word or pronunciation the next time you go to say it. It also robs you of that amazing feeling you get when an interaction goes well. Many times, the highlight of my day has been a flawless coffee order or being able to understand a new phrase perfectly. Also, sometimes I need to remind myself of the obvious, very few people speak a second language perfectly, and none without an accent of some sort. Your professors whose first language is Italian, they speak English with an Italian accent. It is nothing to be self-conscious of. Go forward with a positive attitude. Chances are the people you talk to are appreciative of your sincere effort.
If Nothing Else, Try.
All my tips can be synthesized into this one piece of advice. Try.
Something that helps me do this is to pick one small challenge every day. This can look like going to the post office or tabaccheria to ask for stamps to mail a post card. Or ordering lunch entirely in Italian. Or stop by student services to say hello. The hard truth is that you have to be uncomfortable before you can be confident. The only thing in your way is your fear of feeling embarrassed. I think that in today’s world, we are afraid of showing genuine effort in case something goes wrong, especially when it comes to building connections with other people. But if a temporary moment of embarrassment is the only cost of having a real moment of connection with another person, don’t you think it’s worth it?
Good luck on your semester here in Perugia!
Learning Italian may not be easy, but you’ve got this.
If nothing else, just try!