Italian with Book (Berlitz Basic) (Italian Edition) [Audio Cassette]

Berlitz Publishing Company (Author), Globe Pequot Press (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 2831557216 | ISBN-13: 978-2831557212 | Publication Date: September 1996 | Edition: Cas & Book

One of the most popular and successful beginning self-teaching language courses of its kind, Berlitz Basic offers a general introduction to a foreign language, with a particular emphasis on listening and speaking. Audio and text support provide a dual approach: Native speakers reinforce the audio's conversational focus, while the study guide provides exercises to test progress.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette: 192 pages
• Publisher: Berlitz Guides; Cas & Book edition (September 1996)
• Language: Italian
• ISBN-10: 2831557216
• ISBN-13: 978-2831557212
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Books on Cassette > Languages > Italian
  • #34 in Books > Books on Cassette > Children's Books > Languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you want immersion--go to Italy, March 16, 2000

By 

Tiffany Earley (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Italian with Book (Berlitz Basic) (Italian Edition) (Audio Cassette)

This tape program takes an "immersion" approach to Italian language instruction--accompanying cheesy sound effects give "clues" as to what is meant, but precise meaning is unclear and grammar concepts remain cloudy. The vocabulary is presented in no particular order--ie with no concern for utility and it's not good if you want something to listen to in the car (you really should follow the book for this one). The "Drive In" series is superior to Berlitz for car listening, and is better for vocab as well (in addition to being more engaging).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Understand the title is BASIC Italian, July 20, 2003

By 

David Coletti (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italian with Book (Berlitz Basic) (Italian Edition) (Audio Cassette)

This is a very good beginner/introduction course for comprehention and one of the few that applies the principle of listening to only the target language in action instead of translating and switching back and forth from English... But reading the other reviews here, there seems to be confusion as to what to expect.

First of all: this is NOT a "travelers" course, so don't expect these tapes to just drill you on specific phrases to order food, check into hotels and change money... The market is packed with travelers language tapes and courses that will better serve those needs (such as the Berlitz Travel series). But this is Basic Italian which means its fundamental goal is to get one thinking and responding in Italian starting from scratch, so of course it begins by using some very simple sentences such as "I want... you want.." and "Who is listening to music?.. Mario is listening to music" (as the lessons progress it does get more complex but never too much so). So this isn't a course for memorizing set phrases and "canned speech" as much as it is for learning the fundamentals of speech and grammer in action.

Second: Unless you already have some level of experience in Italian, these tapes are NOT meant to be listened to on thier own without the included textbook. Basic Italian is not to be confused with the "Learn in Your Car" or "Pimsleur" series as an audio-only course... absolute beginners with no knowledge of Italian MUST begin by following along the textbook and reading all the sidebar information in English as to understand what is happening and why. Only after following the directions does one gain the confidence to use these tapes on thier own (and those directions include never going on to the next lesson without having completely understood the one before: even being able to read the lesson from the textbook aloud with a correct accent and understanding everything being said)... So don't fear, you will NOT be required to "play detective" to figure out what is being said if you follow all the directions in the text!!

Some of the diolouge is a bit dated and goofy, but in the grand scheme of the course this makes no difference. When you reach the point where you can follow the tapes alone and understand everything and respond correctly and read the text correctly out loud, then you can be sure you are ready for the intermediate level.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Learning as a child might. Entertaining, but difficult., January 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Italian with Book (Berlitz Basic) (Italian Edition) (Audio Cassette)

After working initially with the book, I listened to the tapes for many hours while commuting. Somethings have "stuck", but most have not. I feel that this would be an excellent program to take up with a partner or in a class, and would love to hear from someone who would like to practice with a beginner via email. I found "Italian by Association" by Michael Grunberg to be far more effective for vocabulary building.