An English speaker can try learning one of the Romance languages without difficulty. What is needed is for the person to get used to the way he learns the information which is, in this case, in learning the Italian language. Opening to the fact that learning Italian isn’t going to be a quick endeavor also helps. This idea conditions the learner to a long road of learning ahead.
Learning basic Italian phrases initiate everything that is needed to be learned by a person. It is extremely important to enrich a person’s vocabulary of a language first. As you learn, the basic phrases and sentences come in easy next. In learning the Italian vocabulary, it is important to review it by using it once in a day to make sure that one has completely understood its definition and uses. Also, reviewing an entire vocabulary lessons for couple of weeks or more help the person retain the information he has learned from the very beginning. This is a sure way of acquiring a second language, bit by bit.
As for individuals who are more concerned of constructing a good Italian grammar, the fact is that, one can do well without having learned all the intricacies of a the Italian language (which is the same with other foreign languages). Though it isn’t much the same compared to learning grammar lessons carefully, but as a beginner in learning how to speak Italian, it matters more to master the basic functions of the language than to devote an entire time to grammar alone. You will be forgiven for making a mistake or two when you start speaking Italian but it is natural, you will make mistakes while learning. Don’t think that nobody hasn’t done so.
And so, continue to read vocabulary and how you can apply it verbally. Don’t give up on minor details because you have the rest of the world to back you up when you’re in doubt of using an Italian word in a sentence.