Customer Reviews

Prego! An Invitation to Italian

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

This is a wonderful book to master the basics of Italian. The text is straight forward and is a wonderful place to start with learning this language. When I started with Italian, this was the original textbook that was assigned to me. Great place to start the Italian Language!

This is a great beginning level Italian language book and is recommended for many Italian I & II college level courses. It does not come with the CD (which is pretty useless) or the online book key (which is very useful), just so you know! I would recommend buying this from Amazon because of their prompt delivery and great prices!

This book is amazing and has arrived today in almost 100% perfection! I am psyched to be taking my first semester of Italian, and this book will definitely help me increase my knowledge. Other than two bet corner pages (of what I counted,)and a flash card (I'm not complaining!), the book is in perfecto condition! I definitely recommend buying from HPB-079!

This is the text that we are using at the local college for the first two terms of the Italian language course. It has been a useful book and yes it is at what I would call beginners book. It has some Italian culture information but, it is aimed more at the American student. If you have an instructor that is a native Italian speaker it will go a long way towards your learning the language. You must remember that the book is covering the standard Italian language and that Italian is a lot like Chinese in that there many local versions that do not use the same words or sounds for the same spellings. Having worked in Italy a few years ago I have found the class that I am taking for fun, now that I am retired, to be interesting.
Ciao.

The textbook was advertised as being in "good" condition. I would argue that the book was in "adequate" condition, at best. The corners of the covers were frayed and shredding; many pages had been heavily scribbled on (with ink!) and 'answers' (some wrong) were written in blank spaces, spoiling learning opportunities/challenges for me. Also, the cover was dirty and incrusted with old sales labels and barcodes and it took me much time and acetone to clean the surface and make it presentable. While the book is basically intact, I will be more wary in the future about the condition assessment if I choose to purchase another used one.

I have just started school and I will be ordering all of my course books from SR BOOKS; wonderful service and impeccable timing. I think you guys are great. Thank you so much.

This is the textbook that we use in Italian class and somehow, somewhere l'ho perduto(I lost it) So using the little gray cells I searched for a source where I could find a copy. And Voila, oh well a little French also, there it was on Amazon. I ordered it on Monday July 4, 2911. Paid for expedited shipping and what did I find on returning home Wednesday July 6 2011. My textbook at my door in time for class. Thank you Amazon.