This best-selling beginning Italian text offers a four-skills and communicative introduction to Italian language and culture. The text provides communicative activities and streamlined vocabulary and grammar presentations coupled with revised and expanded cultural material. The seventh edition also updates the cultural content and brightens up the readings and dialogues with beautiful new illustrations and photographs.
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About the Author
Graziana Lazzarino, a native of Genoa, received her Laurea cum laude from the University of Genoa and is currently Professor of Italian at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She has taught at numerous European schools and American colleges and universities, including Wellesley College, Middlebury College, Central Connecticut State College, and the University of Nebraska. She is also the lead author of In giro per l’Italia: A Brief Introduction to Italian, Da Capo, and Per tutti i gusti. She was knighted in June 2004 by the Italian government for her contribution to the teaching of Italian language and culture.
Andrea Dini, a native of Prato, received his Laurea cum laude from the University of Florence and his Ph.D. in Italian Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a minor in Second-Language Acquisition. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Italian at Montclair State University. He was a co-author of the first and second editions of In giro per l’Italia: A Brief Introduction to Italian.
Maria Cristina Peccianti, a native of Siena, received her Laurea from the University of Florence and currently teaches at the University for Foreigners of Siena. She has written and edited books on linguistic education, including Grammatica italiana per la scuola media and Italian as a second language, including Grammatica d’uso della lingua italiana. She was a co-author of the first and second editions of In giro per l’Italia: A Brief Introduction to Italian.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PREGO! : visually-stimulating 7th edition includes online learning center,
By
This review is from: Prego! An Invitation to Italian (Hardcover)
N.B. PREGO! 8th edition TEXTBOOK appears to be available (here, though all supplements may not yet be published).
PREGO! is an excellent and very popular classroom introductory Italian program, here in its 7th incarnation. Lazzarino and coauthors have created a beautiful, easy-on-the eyes layout with interesting cultural readings, charming illustrations, and cute (topic related) cartoons. It's great to see multiple ethnic backgrounds represented in the illustrations (a trend that many publishers seem to be following -- it's about time!). The page design is very good, with not-too-much information on each page (good use of open space). I began my studies with an early edition of PREGO! and have a fondness for this 2-semester program. I've looked at many other introductory Italian language textbooks and I believe PREGO! remains a best-seller because it provides a fun and attractive approach to rigorous grammar study. It appears to be the most polished and visually stimulating textbook on the market, with updated cultural scenarios (including the increasingly multicultural Italian demographic). The supplemental DVD follows an "American" journalist in Italy and his Italian friend through 18 chapter-related scenarios. It is well-produced and entertaining enough and provides an opportunity for listening comprehension (with optional Italian subtitles -- better, I believe, in aiding Italian study than having English subtitles). Students will likely get the most bang out of these materials in a formal study (classroom or tutor) setting. Those who can easily afford these (relatively expensive) materials might want to purchase them simply for a good workout. OVERLEARNING (see wikipedia) is one of the best techniques for language study. You can visit the mhhe site (i.e. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -- I'm not allowed to post the link) to see a sample chapter (Capitolo 1) and check out the audio files and exercises, etc. Here are the correct ISBN's (from the mhhe site) should you want to order these supplements: Workbook (0073266760) Workbook to accompany Prego! An Invitation to Italian; Laboratory Manual (0073266698) Laboratory Manual to accompany Prego! An Invitation to Italian; Audio CD Program, Part A (Audio CD Program (Part A) to accompany Prego! An Invitation to Italian (7th ed.)); Audio CD Program, Part B (0073266647) Audio CDs (Part B) to accompany Prego! An Invitation to Italian (7th ed.); DVD (DVD to accompany Prego! An Invitation to Italian) You don't need to purchase the (expensive) audio CDs as the sound files are available at the online learning center for Prego7, though if you feel more comfortable with CDs in hand, do purchase them. I believe you have to pay for access to the online workbook and lab manual if you choose not to purchase the material versions. N.B. the "buy together" links don't always link the correct editions of supplementary materials, so use the advanced book search or advanced DVD search to choose the proper materials (if edition is listed correctly) to load into your shopping cart. I've inserted links to the correct supplements above. Also available: AVANTI! by Janice Aski, et al, is a more communicative approach, introductory Italian language program from McGraw-Hill. Avanti!'s emphasis is on repetition. There is much of value in both of these programs. Avanti! is also somewhat expensive and should also be used with other students with an instructor and/or tutor. Avanti!: Beginning Italian Those who cannot attend and/or afford a college course might make do with the purchase of any number of text + audio programs or all-audio programs (Living Language; Teach Yourself, etc.) and inexpensive grammar workbooks (e.g., the "Practice Makes Perfect" series). Search the web for free Italian-language audio files and videos (and grammar lessons). Your experience in one of the world's most beautiful countries will be so much richer with Italian language skills. Don't be put off by the fact that acquiring advanced language skills is for most a long-term endeavor. I believe those new to the experience will find the "discipline" of language study to be its own reward (see Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of "Flow," and Winifred Gallagher's RAPT). And note that some of the non-native speakers I know that have gained the richest knowledge of Italian history and culture in their travels speak (they're the first to acknowledge this) very exaggerated English-accented Italian. They laugh at themselves and continue to enjoy their new experiences as they know that a goofy accent is often charming. Grammatical errors? Inevitable, and "so what!" Stumble out there and don't cheat yourself out of a stimulating experience.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Intro to Italian Book!,
This review is from: Prego! An Invitation to Italian (Hardcover)
I am currently using this book for my intro to Italian class in college. I did not have any background in Italian before and this book has been so helpful. It is very clear in its explanations and provides several examples for each grammatical point. The chapters are arranged logically and split up into smaller sections. Each section teaches only one grammar point, allowing you to master it before you move onto the next, and each section has exercises for you to practice with. The information is not overwhelming, laid out very carefully, and very easy to understand. My Italian professor is an ok teacher, but I was able to understand 99% of things by just looking at the book. I HIGHLY recommend Prego!, other language textbooks should take note of this format!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good textbook, a little cheesy,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Prego! An Invitation to Italian (Hardcover)
I have used this text for two semesters now, and it does a great job of teaching the language.
What it does well: For me, the verb conjugation charts were very helpful. I think the book presents useful and relevant exercises after introducing a concept that allow students to really understand what's being taught. The vocabulary included in each chapter was well selected. Personally, I really enjoyed the cultural sections throughout the book. They were included in each chapter and interesting (and challenging) to read, as they were presented in Italian. A few shortcomings: The text is a little cheesy, but this was not a major drawback. I'd like to see something a bit more relevant to students learning Italian. Also, before teaching a concept, the book would having a few paragraphs of Italian dialogue using what was going to be taught. This was helpful to read AFTER learning the material, but beforehand, it was confusing. Overall, the book has a nice, easy to understand approach to learning Italian!
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