Parliamo Italiano! A Communicative Approach (Second Edition) [Hardcover]

Suzanne Branciforte (Author), Anna Grassi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618102647 | ISBN-13: 978-0618102648 | Publication Date: January 1, 2002 | Edition: 2

The Second Edition of Parliamo italiano! instills five core language skills by pairing cultural themes with essential grammar points. Students use culture—the geography, traditions, and history of Italy—to understand and master the language.

Unit Openers outline each section's theme, geographical focus, and communicative goals. Si dice così features provide a thematic presentation of vocabulary with directed and communicative activities. In altre parole offer up-to-date idioms and expressions, and Punit grammaticali cover grammar points. Lo sapevi che...? are cultural notes on concepts and places mentioned in the text.

• The Immagini e parole, or capstone, contains a cultural reading related to the theme and region of Italy discussed in each unit.
• The 60-minute Parliamo italiano! video features stunning, on-location footage of various cities and regions throughout Italy according to a story line corresponding to each unit's theme and geographic focus.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 503 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH); 2 edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618102647
• ISBN-13: 978-0618102648
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a GREAT book to learn Italian., February 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Parliamo Italiano! A Communicative Approach (Second Edition) (Hardcover)

I teach Italian at the undergraduate level and this book is excellent. Having used other textbooks in the past, I have seen the difference in how much and how quickly students learn from "Parliamo italiano". If you are using this book on your own, I would recommend that you work with a tutor. It is not impossible to work with it on your own but you have to plan the material very carefully beforehand and stick to your plan.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars How Not To Learn Another Language, February 4, 2006

By 

Speaking the Truth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parliamo Italiano! A Communicative Approach (Second Edition) (Hardcover)

This is the worst book I have ever used for learning Italian. Unfortunately, it is the core book for my uni course. The grammar explanations are awful and at times incomplete. The dialogues would be better off as a soap opera on T.V. The only slight advantage is that it has covered the passato remoto, la cordanza dei tempi (the more difficult stuff) by chapter 10. But what is the point in racing ahead with the grammar when listening, speaking and reading skills are being ignored.
I have been forced to use this book for almost 2 years, and I can barely say a sentence in the present tense even though we are in unit 12 grammar wise.
When I finish my semester at uni, before I go to Italy in October, I will be spending 5 months solid with a book from the BBC.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars horrible for a beginner, September 25, 2004

By 

studentessa (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parliamo Italiano! A Communicative Approach (Second Edition) (Hardcover)

Confusing approach; improper sequence to develop concepts & vocabulary. I had experience with conversational Italian and another college text but I am finding this book a nightmare. If you are unfortunate enough to have it as a class text; buy supplemental books (dictionary, grammar, verbs...even another text)and maybe some Pimsleur tapes since conversation skills are shortchanged in this tedious text.