How I test and score
I sift through the plethora of language apps, delivering reviews based on deep expertise in language learning and teaching.
My review process starts with an initial walk-through, using the app for at least 15 minutes to capture first impressions and usability.
I then conduct a criteria-based evaluation focusing on key features like spaced repetition, user customization, and the balance between educational content and gamification.
My reviews are thorough, with a scoring system that emphasizes course quality (70%) over user experience (20%) and price (10%).
Importantly, I do not receive payment for these reviews.
Learn more on my review policy and process page.
Summary
Course quality
User experience
Pricing
Pros
- Comprehensive course content
- Active community engagement
- Supplemental immersion tools
Cons
- Lacks dedicated speaking practice
- No free trial available
Best suited for
Learners who prefer structured, traditional lessons with an emphasis on comprehension and listening skills.
At a glance
App name
Italy Made Easy
Made by
Italy Made Easy LIMITED
User base
Sentiment
- Course Structure and Content: The course content is well-structured, varied, and suitable for all levels, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply.
- Technical Issues: Users mentioned encountering glitches and errors on the website, which affected their learning experience and progress tracking.
- Error Recognition: Some users mentioned typos and minor errors in the course materials, though they didn\'t significantly impact the overall learning experience.
- User-Friendly Resources: The course provides diverse and practical resources, such as PDFs and quizzes, which are helpful and easy to follow.
- Positive Impact on Learning: Many users noted significant progress in their Italian language skills, even as beginners or self-learners, thanks to the course\'s comprehensive approach.
Concept
Italy Made Easy is an app that follows the immersion method and provides well-structured courses, however it lacks speaking exercises.
Available on
Web
Levels covered
(A0) Total beginner, (A1) Beginner, (A2) Elementary, (B1) Intermediate, (B2) Upper-intermediate, (C1) Advanced
1 languages taught
Italian
Pricing, free trial, refunds
Pricing
Free trial
Refunds
First-hand review
Walk-through
App Overview
Upon first opening the Italy Made Easy app, you are greeted with a straightforward interface. Unfortunately, the app does not offer a free trial; you can choose between paying for a one-year package at $480 USD or a lifetime access option.
Course Structure
Initial Setup
When you access the course dashboard, you find various sections organized by level of difficulty, from beginner to intermediate.
The course comes with supplementary materials that are especially useful for travelers who want to pick up basic conversational skills quickly.
The main course structure is laid out well, with five primary courses ranging from beginner to intermediate levels.
Each level is broken down into digestible units, and you start with Level 1, which includes 16 units, 154 lessons, 12 quizzes, and a certificate upon completion. This thorough structure aims to cover all basic conversational Italian.
Lesson Style
The lessons themselves are thoughtfully designed. For instance, in Unit 13, the focus is on a single, but complicated verb—piacere, which means \”to like.\” The app\’s creator, Manu Venditti, ensures that learners dive deep into the nuances of this verb, explaining it in a way that makes it manageable despite its complexity. Each lesson includes video explanations, though it feels very much like a traditional class setup with virtual whiteboards and slides.
Practice Sessions
One standout feature is the practice section, which offers an array of tools to hone different language skills.
You have comprehension exercises, quizzes, and live practice sessions where the instructor listens and corrects users\’ pronunciation. This is an excellent way to make the learning experience more engaging and practical.
Community and Social Features
The app also integrates community features such as discussion groups and a \”social home,\” which functions somewhat like a Facebook feed where users can post comments and interact with each other.
Additional Resources
Beyond the basic lessons, the app includes downloadable materials like PDFs and MP3 files for offline study. There is also a collection of curated videos and audio from YouTube and radio stations to supplement your learning and improve your listening skills.
Conclusion
Italy Made Easy has a comprehensive course structure and a variety of interactive features that enhance the learning experience. However, I was slightly disappointed by the lack of direct speaking exercises within the app itself. Although the live practice sessions partially address this, the ease of accessing these sessions could be improved.
Overall, Italy Made Easy offers a structured, supportive, and resource-rich environment for learning Italian.
Features
Spaced repetition
Does the app offer plenty of repetition to acquire vocab and grammar naturally?
Customization
Can users customize settings, interface, content, etc.?
Focus on learning
Is the interface and content focused on the course content instead of fluff and gamification?
Personalization
Are the materials automatically tailored to the user’s profile?
Sentence accuracy
Are sentences free from typos, grammar errors? Do they sound natural?
Sentence relevance
Are sentences realistic and useful?
Variety and depth
Is there enough variety of materials in terms of topics, formats and levels?
Audio quality
Are audio materials easy to listen to in terms of recording quality and speech rate?
Speaker's quality
Do speakers speak correctly, clearly and naturally?
Speaking practice
Does the app offer plenty of speaking practice?
Ease of use
Is the app easy to set up, use and navigate?
Interface and design
Is the user interface neat and visually appealing?
Performance
Does the app load fast? Is it free from glitches and crashes?
Grammar notes
Do the courses come with grammar notes?
Learning path
Do the courses follow a well defined path?
Speech recognition
Does the app recognize user speech?
User-generated courses
Can users actively generate materials from their interests?
Offline access
Are the courses available offline?
Conclusions
Would I take these courses?
I would use this app for its structured lessons and active community, but the lack of speaking practice and limits its effectiveness for developing fluency.
How to get the most out of the app
Engage with the community and immersion tools, participate in live sessions, and supplement the app’s content with external speaking practice.
Alternatives
Think In Italian is better than Italy Made Easy to master Italian
Think In Italian is the only app that gets your to speak Italian all the time. It comes with hundreds of grammar lessons and readings to listen and repeat, plus an AI tutor to review the courses and practice conversation. See the full review.
FAQs
Does Italy Made Easy offer a free trial?
No, there’s no free trial.
Does Italy Made Easy offer speaking practice?
Speaking practice is limited.
What’s the focus of Italy Made Easy's courses?
Emphasis on comprehension and listening skills.
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Rave Reviews
★★★★★
Rated 4.9/5 based on 170+ reviews
