How I Learned (Basic) Italian in Just 3 Weeks for Our Trip to Sicily – And How You Can Too!
- Ka Yee Meck
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Before our recent trip to Sicily, I set myself a slightly mad challenge: learn Italian in just three weeks.
Spoiler alert: I did it. Not perfectly. Not fluently. But enough to make a real difference on our travels — and to make me want to do it for every future trip.
In this post, I’m sharing what I did, what worked, what didn’t, and the three biggest lessons I learned that might just help you if you’re trying to learn a language in a short amount of time (especially as a busy parent!).
Why I Decided to Learn Italian in 3 Weeks
We were heading to Sicily for a family holiday, and even though I knew many locals speak English, I didn’t want to rely on that. I wanted to be able to order gelato (essential), chat with shopkeepers, and show my kids what it means to make an effort when you visit a new place.
So, I gave myself three weeks.
I had no illusions about becoming fluent — I just wanted to get good enough to survive touristy situations with confidence.
What I Used to Learn Italian (On a Budget!)
Here’s the full list of tools and resources I used:
Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook (from the library — totally free!)
ChatGPT to help me translate and refine a custom-made phrase list
iTalki – I booked 3 tutoring sessions: one 30-minute and two 45-minute sessions, costing around £30 in total.
That’s it! I kept it super simple, low-pressure, and cost-effective.
My 3-Week Study Routine: The Method That Worked
My approach was very DIY and tailored to our actual travel needs. Here’s what I did:
I used the phrasebook to pick out useful expressions — things like ordering food, asking for directions, dealing with allergies (I’m lactose intolerant), etc.
I created a custom phrase list based on our needs as a family — not just textbook stuff, but things I knew we’d say (like “Can I have a soy cappuccino, please?”).
I used ChatGPT to translate my list into Italian and checked it with my iTalki tutor.
I practised speaking those phrases out loud with my tutor through role play and simple dialogue practice.
The whole thing took just 5–10 minutes a day over 3 weeks, plus the tutoring time — about 4.5 hours in total.
The result? I felt confident ordering food, buying things, and having short interactions — and that was more than enough to make our trip feel more connected and memorable.
Lesson 1: You Can Learn a Lot in Just 3 Weeks (Even If You’re Busy)
I was honestly surprised by how much I managed to absorb in such a short time. I think having a clear why made all the difference.
The key takeaway? Short, consistent effort adds up. Even if you only have 10 minutes a day, it’s still worth doing. You’ll be amazed by how far you get — especially if you focus on phrases that matter to you.
Lesson 2: Making the Effort Is Worth It (Even If People Reply in English!)
Yes, there were plenty of moments where I’d speak Italian… and get a reply in English. But honestly? I didn’t mind.
Most people were kind, receptive, and happy I was trying.
One especially sweet moment was in a supermarket queue, when an elderly Italian couple started fussing over my kids. I managed to explain (in very basic Italian) that we live in England but I’m originally from China. It was clumsy and limited… but they smiled so warmly.
That moment stuck with me.
At the open-air market in Catania, I ended up buying some fake Crocs for 2 euros — all in Italian! In places like that, where no one spoke English, it really paid off.
But more than anything else, speaking Italian just made the trip more fun. It helped me feel more connected. It made everything more memorable.
And it’s something I want to pass on to my kids — not just the language skills, but the mindset.
The understanding that language is a form of respect.
That when you visit a new place, it’s worth learning a few words.
Not everyone speaks English — and they shouldn’t have to.
Lesson 3: I Want to Do This for Every Trip (Next Stop: Japan!)
This whole experience made me rethink how I travel. Learning a bit of the local language isn’t just “nice to have” — it’s a game-changer. It adds texture, meaning, and joy to everyday interactions.
We’re heading to Japan later this year for my sister’s wedding — and I’m already planning to revive my long-dormant Japanese (I was obsessed with Johnny’s idols as a teen, so I’ve got some foundation!).
This time, I’ll start earlier, and take a slightly more structured approach. I’ll definitely use iTalki again — I’ve been using it since 2016, and there’s honestly no better way to practise a language than with a real human tutor. (Not sponsored… but iTalki, if you’re reading this… 👀)
Want to Try This for Your Next Trip?
If you’re planning a holiday and thinking of learning a bit of the language before you go — do it.
Start small.
Focus on what you need.
Don’t stress about grammar.
Just aim to communicate — even clumsily — and see what happens.
And if you want to follow along as I prepare for Japan, let me know in the comments below!
🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rDr9iogyJL4
🎞️ Check out my Italian Shorts series for real-life learning moments with the kids! 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL10zoU9l0rH0LXoV6JsOpniTfQALM8Npa
Found this helpful?
Feel free to share it with a friend who’s prepping for a trip!!
Comments