Ultimate Italian: Basic-Intermediate Coursebook (Revised & Updated) (LL(R) Ultimate Basic-Intermed) [Paperback]

Salvatore Bancheri (Author), Michael Lettieri Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0609806815 | ISBN-13: 978-0609806814 | Publication Date: November 7, 2000 | Edition: Rev&Updtd

Learn Italian with the most comprehensive, up-to-date text available!

Developed by the experts at Living Language, this book offers a highly effective combination of conversational Italian with grammar and culture. It covers the equivalent of two years of college-level study.

Contents Include:
40 lessons with lively, authentic dialogues including the most common and useful expressions for everyday conversation.
English translations and explanations of Italian grammar and usage, pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural notes.
Quizzes and review sections to check your progress.
A complete summary of Italian grammar, and verb charts covering all major tenses.
A section on letter writing for business or social occasions.
An extensive two-way glossary.
Revised and updated with additional exercises, the latest in computers, the Internet, euros, and more!

While this book stands on its own as a complete course and an invaluable reference, you'll find that it's even more effective when used with the recorded lessons. Living Language Ultimate Italian cassette and compact-disc packages include this manual, along with the recordings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A comprehensive text that makes learning easy and fun."
PROFESSOR VINCENZO GATTO, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York

From the Inside Flap

Learn Italian with the most comprehensive, up-to-date text available!

Developed by the experts at Living Language, this book offers a highly effective combination of conversational Italian with grammar and culture. It covers the equivalent of two years of college-level study.

Contents Include:
40 lessons with lively, authentic dialogues including the most common and useful expressions for everyday conversation.
English translations and explanations of Italian grammar and usage, pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural notes.
Quizzes and review sections to check your progress.
A complete summary of Italian grammar, and verb charts covering all major tenses.
A section on letter writing for business or social occasions.
An extensive two-way glossary.
Revised and updated with additional exercises, the latest in computers, the Internet, euros, and more!

While this book stands on its own as a complete course and an invaluable reference, you'll find that it's even more effective when used with the recorded lessons. Living Language Ultimate Italian cassette and compact-disc packages include this manual, along with the recordings.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Living Language; Rev&Updtd edition (November 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609806815
• ISBN-13: 978-0609806814
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,307,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is how I learned Italian, April 21, 2001

By 

Timothy D. Bina "TB" (Plymouth, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Italian: Basic-Intermediate Cassette Program (LL(R) Ultimate Basic-Intermed) (Audio Cassette)

I have spent an enormous amount of money on materials and lessons in order to learn to speak Italian. Most of the money I spent, unfortunately, was wasted. If I had it to do over, I would simply invest in Ultimate Italian for understanding the mechanics of the language and the Pimsleur program for gaining the verbal skills. Ultimate Italian is systematic in it's approach, which helped me to move steadily through the chapters. I've been through this book three times now. A tremendous value.

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginners, June 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Italian: Basic-Intermediate, Revised and Updated Edition (Living Language) (English and Italian Edition) (Paperback)

I have wasted so much time (and money) trying to locate a good program for learning Italian. The Ultimate Italian: Basic Intermediate is worth every penny.

Pros:

1) The first 4 CD's leave no guesswork as to what is being spoken because the manual has all the dialogue for you to follow along (not so common with book/CD combinations).

2) You can start using the CD's on day one. You don't have to read several "primer" pages before jumping in.

3) The lessons are actually IN ORDER. This may sound strange, but many books jump around in a sequence that confuses the reader. Such as; from verbs to indirect objects THEN to introductions and vocabulary.

4) The CD's are NOT boring...a big plus because you'll find yourself using them OFTEN, especially the last 4 CD's which are designed for "on the go" listening, in the car or wherever.

5) After completing the program (if you apply yourself), you will no doubt be able to carry on a useful conversation and write with grammatical accuracy.

6) The program states that it is "equivalent" to 2 years of Italian college study. This is true.

7) 8 full hours of audio...excellent.

Cons:

1) Not enough vocabulary. However, this is true for every Italian program I've bought. Make sure you have a good, up to date English/Italian dictionary if you buy this program.

2) Lack of computer CD. This would have been an excellent plus to augment vocabulary.

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Italian language course, February 17, 1999

By 

L. Kornblum (Tempe, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Italian: Basic - Intermediate: Cassette/Book Package (Living Language Ultimate Basic-Intermediate Series (Manual & Compact Disc)) (Audio Cassette)

As a language major I have taken many university classes and used numerous audio-visual home-study courses over the past 36 years, and I feel that this is quite simply the very best language set available. After going through the book and home-use set of 4 tapes once, I listened several more times to the set of review tapes for use "on-the-go". I had no problems traveling alone throughout Italy, and even received compliments on my Italian. The lessons cover nearly all the verb tenses, grammar, and syntax of the Italian language and provide a good vocabulary to start speaking, reading, and traveling. If you're serious about learning Italian, you'll find this set to be a real bargain.