Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way (book and CDs) [Box set] [Paperback]

Marcel Danesi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0764176838 | ISBN-13: 978-0764176838 | Edition: 3

Updated with helpful facts and tips for international travelers, new third edition of Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way book with audio CDs is suitable as a language teacher for adults as well as for older children. This program instructs beginners in the basics of reading, writing, understanding, and speaking the new language. The book lightens language-learning routines with cartoon-style illustrations, language games, and puzzles. A set of vocabulary flashcards and a small staple-bound bilingual dictionary booklet are bound into the book's spine and can be easily removed for supplementary use. All Fast and Fun Way books, available in several languages, can be purchased alone or in a sturdy carrying case suitable for travel and including the buyer's choice of tapes or compact discs. The audio resources present dramatized bilingual dialogues that complement the material in the books and introduce language learners to correct pronunciation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Book and Audio CD Packages Available in:


French * German * Italian * Japanese * Russian * Spanish & Aprenda Ingles Facil y Rapido (Learn English the Fast & Fun Way)



It’s easy... It’s practical... It’s fun!



In just minutes a day, you’ll pick up the language you need for most everyday situations—from meeting and greeting people to asking directions and handling simple business transactions. You’ll learn the basic vocabulary for: introductions * finding your way * entertainment * dining * shopping * banking * using the telephone and mail services * medical help and emergencies



Plus: days of the week * months * seasons * weather * time * numbers * basic grammar * even a guide to road signs!



The book’s pronunciation guide helps you to speak * CDs give you the sound of the language as it is spoken * Pull-out bilingual dictionary also contains a food and drink guide, wine list, and tipping information * Vocabulary cards give you practice with words and phrases

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 3 edition (November 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764176838
• ISBN-13: 978-0764176838
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, May 24, 2001

By 

ty7777 "I don't give out m'name" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way with Book (Paperback)

This is broken down really well for you and is basically part book- part workbook. There are plenty of activities to take part in to help you learn this language. However it doesn't get a five because it doesn't come with a tape, though 4 are available to go with it for over 30 dollars. Also, you only learn present and imperative tenses, which may have been more complicated to learn but it should be in there if you want to concern yourself with it. It is really informative and amusing and holds your attention. It does this by keeping the lessons quick and to the point with a little humor here and there. Remember that Learning Italian and learning Italian for sake of a quick bout of tourism ''just enough'' to get by... very different things. As for just the bout of tourism, this is more than enough to get you by and would work great. As for grasping the whole language, if you really feel you need to... you'd not only need the past tense and so on, but you'd definetely need alot of cassettes for example and the ability to read whole paragraphs with ease. This won't get you there, but it'll teach you the basic language.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Italian Fast & Fun Way is Fun, March 21, 2000

By 

Brian Cull - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way with Book (Paperback)

This book is colorful, but you really need to purchase the book as part of the set with the tapes so that you are able to hear the correct pronunciations. The book and tapes cover the basics for people who are planning to travel to Italy for vacation, and it starts from the very beginning with pronunciations and greetings. There are places in the book for you to practice your Italian writing skills without "drilling" you to sleep. There are puzzle games in the book, as well. The book covers basic grammar and basic vocabularly.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Molto buono!, September 18, 2005

By 

Justwannaread! (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way (Paperback)

I ordered this for an adult continuing education class that I am taking - Beginning Italian. This is truly a fun book - much better than the old French textbooks I had in high school. It is well illustrated, words are spelled phonetically, and it moves at an nice pace (not too elementary, but also not too challenging.) There are no audio tapes, but I have the advantage of a weekly class with an Italian instructor who is from Italy. The book comes with some flash cards and a small dictionary. The list price is $18.95, but Amazon sells it for less.