Customer Reviews

Behind the Wheel - Italian 2

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ciao! We're now learning Italian, well on our way to becoming a four language family. Well, okay, we don't have a full command of French, Spanish and Italian but we now have much more than a nodding acquaintance with each, and we're having a great time improving our skills - all thanks to the Behind The Wheel series.

This language learning program makes becoming familiar with a language not only easy but fun. As I've said before I've not forgotten the angst I felt way back in Latin I when we learned everything by rote. Most of what I'd memorized was soon forgotten, and embarrassment was my usual state as I tried to understand what the teacher was asking and respond in the appropriate way. We'll not enumerate my gaffes.
Thus, an early experience with a tongue foreign did not encourage me to learn another language until it became necessary This system is a breeze! Granted, so far I'll not be asked to participate in any major international negotiations. On the other hand I'll no longer be embarrassed when ordering in an Italian restaurant or being introduced to an Italian speaking person.

There are many pluses for this method of learning, which was introduced by Mark Frobose. One can do it on one's own time (driving car pool, waiting for budding Carnegie Hall performer to finish a piano lesson or even dusting the house - no more reporting for class and no more being embarrassed in front of a teacher or fellow students). Mille grazie for all of that!

Having both an English speaking instructor as well as a native Italian speaking person is great as the English speaker walks the listener through while the Italian speaker gives the correct pronunciation.

I'm well pleased with Behind The Wheel series in French, Spanish, and Italian.

- Gail Cooke

I started with Level 2 because I once lived in Italy and spoke reasonable Italian, but hadn't used it for years. I had a lot of fun trying to get the answer to 'How do you say in Italian?' in before it was given - and the fact that 9 times out of 10 I was right did a lot to boost my confidence. Meanwhile, I was listening to and speaking Italian. It was really only with disc 6 that I started to learn new expressions, but that was fine as I needed reminding, and by then I felt confident enough to acquire new vocabulary and tenses.

I must admit that the sheer amount of repetition did start to drive me mad, but I suppose it's part of the technique - practise till you're so familiar that you're actually bored! I would stop the disc after about the 3rd round of repetition and go on to the next one, and then go back through the discs in sequence to make sure I really was word-perfect.

I loved this method of language-learning - available when you want it, using dead time driving to work, no obligation to set aside an evening, etc - and plan to improve my other half-remembered languages by the same means. The only drawback is not being able to ask questions, but you can always find a native speaker for that.

Great way to continue learning Italian. My husband has a long commute to work and enjoys listening to it on the way to work. He raves about how well the company bridges Behind the Wheel-Italian 1 to Behind the Wheel-Italian 2. I would recommend it to anyone trying to learn another language.

I finished "Behind the Wheel - Italian 1" and went directly to "BTW - Italian 2". I'm impressed with the series and highly recommend it. I was thinking of taking Italian through my local community college and bought the textbook they are using for the introductory course. Ugh, it reminded me of why I never did well in language classes in high school and college. Those courses put primary focus on learning grammar, whereas "BTW - Italian" starts with the most commonly encountered words and verb conjugations and builds from there. In other words, it lets me focus on what I need for a conversation between me and another person rather than load me down with first, second, and third person singular and plural conjugations of the verb under study. It appeals to my self-interest in why I want to learn Italian (which isn't grammar drills) and it drills me in learning vocabulary and building sentences while I drive to and from work. That formerly "wasted" driving time has become quite productive. I am really quite thrilled with the progress I've made using this method compared to the many attempts I made at language courses in college.

I've just returned from a European trip that cost a fortune, but that netted me some of the finest travel memories of my and my family's lifetimes.
One of the greatest memories of all are those of the French, Italians, Spanish, and Germans that complimented me on my ability to speak their respective languages.
I owe all of this to the Behind the Wheel programs I have been using over that past few months.
I actually did two levels of Italian. The first program featured Ana, and the second, Daniele.
I actually learned expressions and different tenses with BTW Level 2 that made me sound nearly native.
All of these programs really work. All of them I have tried.
I love the French with Celine, the Spanish with Luis, the Italian with Ana, and the German with Annagret.
My best advice is to tell you to try these and then use them regularly in your car or on your IPod whenever you have a chance.
I never even use the book, since I'm always on the go, but I'm sure it's useful too.

I purchased the second series because I liked the approach of the first series, even though the first series was missing two of its eight CD's. Unfortunately, the problem continues in the second series. One of the discs is actually a copy of a CD from the first series, although it was labeled as belonging to the second series. And, the last disc of the second series appears to be largely a copy of the first disc.

There are several recent CD courses for learning Italian. In view of the shabby quality control of this course, I would suggest buying a different one.

This series works for me. I like the method of learning by audio. When I listen without reading the text, I concentrate on the sounds. Then when I am not "behind the wheel," I read the book and listen to the audio. This reinforces what I have heard. Unfortunately, one of the CDs in this set is the wrong CD. It is labeled correctly as Disc 3, Level 2, but the material on the CD is from Level 1 and does not correspond to the printed text in the book. I emailed Mark Frobose and had no reply. I emailed MacMillan and was told to call customer service. When I called customer service, they said that I would have to return the item to Amazon and order another set. They did not seem to understand or care that they have a quality-control problem. So I ordered a second set, and surprise!, it has the identical problem. Now I have to return two defective sets of a product that I liked. If that particular CD had not been a crucial bridge between review and new material, I might have let this problem slide. I like the set, but I won't try again.

Be careful of this product! I should have read all the reviews that said they send the wrong CD's but won't help you fix it! It's true! They sent me incorrect CD's and then wanted me to send it back to Amazon at my expense instead of sending me the correct ones-THEY MADE THE MISTAKE so they really have some nerve!!!!!

I recommend all Behind the Wheel products. I've tried French, Spanish, Italian, and German. They are enjoyable, without memory stress.