The Berlitz Self-Teacher -- Italian: A Unique Home-Study Method Developed by the Famous Berlitz Schools of Language (Berlitz Self-Teachers)

True to its title, this book will have you speaking some Italian in a short period of time! I had already bought a couple of books of grammar and exercises before I discovered this. It is essential; the best BY FAR. Comprehensive, very easy to follow. You learn at your own pace.There are illustrations, snippit notes and reminders that make things easy to learn and remember. You are gently guided into the learning process, and before I knew it, I was constructing sentences of my own. If you don't remember a rule for pronunciation, no worries....each word is spelled out phonetically under each sentence. If you forget a word, there is a short dictionary in the back. Trust me, they make it easy to soon be THINKING in Italian, and if you can do that, the rest is much easier. I am a senior citizen, and supposedly it is harder to learn a second language. Not at all with this book. I got so caught up in it I realized it was 1 a.m and I didn't want to put the book down. Before you know it, you will be saying to yourself "I can do this!" Honestly! The only other book I recommend is for comprehensive verb conjugation, (which is a book's worth alone), is the Big Green Book of Verbs, Ciao a tutti!

Great book, came in earlier than expected. Super useful teaching guide, me and my study group love it.

I first bought the Berlitz book of Italian in 1987, just for fun, and to see if I could teach myself a second language without going to college. I worked at it but not as hard as I could have. Then I went to Italy (including Sicily) in 1996 and realized I could not understand a single word I heard, though I could pick out a few words on menus. I also understood gestures.Only recently did I decide to revive my interest in studying Italian. I have since been to college and earned degrees and I now credit myself with the ability to learn if properly taught. I looked up Italian languages and see that Berlitz is still considered an expert. One thing I knew about Italian before I started to study it is that it is close to Latin, so anyone with a gift for etymology (such as me) it would come naturally.Having said that, and with the understanding that I have revitalized my interest in reading/studying the Berlitz book of Italian, I must say that the burning question I have now is the same one I had then, which is, "If I study this Berlitz book of Italian, will I be studying the classic, literate Italian, or will I be studying the great manners of the 1950's, and be a laughingstock amongst blue-nose or "hip" Italians?I.E. Has the Italian language/colloquiallism changed as radically as the American language has, or can we count on Italian being what it once was/because it still is? Who can I ask, and who would tell me the truth? That is my question.

Book is very good, provides a different easier procees for learning a new language.

It seems to be working. I've been a dismal failure trying to learn other languages but this really feels good. I may actually learn a language, then off to Italy I go!

This is a great basic primer for learning a language. May be old, but these books have withstood the test of time!

I'll be honest--I purchased the book for nostalgic reasons. My original copy bought decades ago got lost over my various transcontinental re-locations, and I was able to buy a new book with shipping for $5.89 from an Amazon vendor last month.The book contains phrases in Italian with phonetic (but not IPA) pronunciation guides and English translations below each phrase. In today's day and age, with CDs, iPod downloads, and interactive DVDs available, the book is about as useful as a bent horseshoe to young people. To older folks, it's an OK tool if you're planning a trip to Italy, but one would never become a fluent speaker by using this book. Even the publisher admits in the introduction that the book has greater value when used in a group setting. No tedious grammar in the lessons--again, just a phrase book of everyday expressions really...

It was everything I expected it to be and I hope to learn a lot.Now, I just need to go to Italy!

A gift she loved it

I love this series of books. I have them in Spanish, Italian and French. They were written in the 1940s in a style that you enjoy reading for pleasure. Each sentence has an English translation. Each word also has its pronunciation guide. After reading through the book you should with practice be able to speak in any situation as you should have a wide vocabularly.

as a English person trying to learn a foreign language it is always difficult to get good material. I was reccomended this book and I am hoping with this book I will be able to learn Italian quickly and the locals can understand me as I speak. The delivery was quick and packing was minimal. Thank you.

I am surprised how the simplicity of this book helps you speak Italian.There is no grammar section. Most of the examples are outdated.The Italian language has evolved and it is clear when you read this book.The language back in the early 60s was not as spoken as it is today.Still, what a pleasure to find sentences all made upready to be spoken. I have used it more than oncein my Italian language classes.

I'm a fan of the Berlitz self-teacher books. A little dated, but that should not be a deterrent to purchasing these. Excellent for increasing your vocabulary and gaining an understanding of the languages. I own these in a number of languages and find them to be excellent additions to my progress in learning.