Teach Yourself Beginner's Italian (Teach Yourself Languages) - Tapa blanda

"Teach Yourself Beginner's Italian" is the right course for you if you really want to learn Italian but are daunted by the prospect of complicated grammar, classes and coursebooks. This book starts right from the beginning and explains everything in simple English. There are hints throughout to make learning easy and you can learn at your own pace with plenty of practice of each new point. It is a friendly introduction to the language which will help you to understand and speak Italian sufficiently well to function effectively in basic everyday situations. The course will also offer you an insight into Italian culture. The book is divided into two main parts. Units 1-10 introduce you to the basic structures and grammatical points you'll need in everyday situations - language functions. Units 11-20 give you the opportunity to put into practice and consolidate the language you have learnt in the first ten units. They deal with everyday situations such as making a telephone call, shopping, eating and travelling. There is a special section on pronunciation at the beginning of the book to get you started and a short test at the end of each unit so that you can check your progress and review any areas of difficulty. New language is introduced through short dialogues and texts which are also on the accompanying recording and there are plenty of exercises to practise each new point as it is introduced. By the end of the course you'll be able to communicate in a wide range of real-life situations and have all the practical information you need to enjoy your next trip to Italy. The accompanying double CD provides approximately 2 hours of listening material. The CDs (0 340 87014 1) and book (0 340 87015 X) can also be purchased separately. Alternatively, the listening material is also available on a double cassette which can be purchased on its own (0 340 87013 3) or in a pack with the book (0 340 87011 7).

Vittoria Bowles has taught Italian for 27 years, including 18 years at the University of Brighton.