Ultimate Italian: Basic-Intermediate Coursebook

This series is excellent for beginner. The emphasis on grammar is heavy. It suits intermediate more than beginner. The "at home" CDs is not similar as the "on the go" version. I wish they were both exactly the same. Much less conversation is presented at the "on the go" version. Only an abbreviated version of conversation. The exercises are simple and short. Overall, it's a very good program and helpful.

I've self-learned languages using audiotapes and CD's before. This particular series "Ultimate Italian" has got be one the top three. What's useful is that there are two versions - one for "in the car" and the other for "at home". This program was designed for both separately. It is up-to-date and addresses all daily usage vocbularies. Good one!

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.

Ultimate Italian is a very comprehensive course that is contoured for the serious learner. Each of the 40 lessons has a specific goal in mind, which makes learning both fun and intuitive. This course is not for just anyone, however. If you're looking to just learn some common Italian phrases, this course is not for you. Ultimate Italian (Beginner/Intermediate) will teach you how to speak Italian the way Italians speak Italian. Native speakers on the tapes give proper, articulate pronunciation which is critical to learning any foreign language properly. It's also a great deal for what you get!

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.