Before traveling to a non-English-speaking country, U.S. citizens should ensure they have covered all their bases. Doing so reduces the barriers to entry and communication that could arise due to linguistic differences. And the key document to unlocking travel opportunities in Italy is a valid passport. It should be in good condition and have enough blank pages. If not, you should renew your passport or get a new passport. Secondly, you should learn a bit of Italian. Most Italians speak Italian and don’t have good English mastery. Learning a few phrases makes it easier to ask for directions, bond with locals, and even order in Italian. Here’s how you can do it in two weeks:

Fast-tracking Italian Basics

If you are due to travel to Italy in two weeks, can you hack the basics of the language? Of course! All it takes is the following tips:

1. Create Time to Study

You will have a lot to learn in two weeks. And the only way to make headway is to create a schedule. For the best results, aim for at least ten minutes a day. For example, you can spend the first three days mastering greetings and then the next three days learning how to ask questions. The more time you spend studying, the better. But if you cannot afford much time, ten minutes a day will work wonders.

2. Practice Speaking What You Learn

The Italian alphabet has 21 letters. And the best part? These are all available in the English alphabet. But there is just one issue – the pronunciation varies greatly. So, while you might think you can read the letters as they appear, you will learn that enunciation changes the meaning of most words. As you are learning the basics, learn how to pronounce them. And you can do this by using a language app, following a YouTube tutorial, or speaking to an Italian friend. Practical skills trump theoretical knowledge when it comes to language.

3. Arrange Your Words

Grammar is the most complex part of learning any language. You may have the right words and know what you want to convey. But if you arrange the words wrong, you sound off. That’s why so many people know and understand English, but once they speak it, you can tell they are not natives. But how can you master word order in two weeks? You can’t. The key lies in getting the hang of the basics, like the differences between using come ti and qual’ė.

4. Memorize the Common Words

Learning some words will help you tour Italy even with a limited vocabulary. Words like ciao, si, amore, Italiano, grazie, per favore, calda/ caldo, bella/ bello, caro/ cara, comoda/ comodo, chi, che, cosa, dove, quando, perche, and quanto are so common that mastering them will improve your communication skills. You can remember them by practicing with flashcards.

Pictorial books also help as they help you envision the words.