Hi all,

I've so far taught myself the (extreme) basics of Italian using online resources, but I'd really like to progress further. In order to do this, I'm looking to buy a textbook and workbook set in order to give me a bit of structure to it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't really know where to start... my mum's bringing my old German textbooks when she comes next week - so looks like I'll be very busy!

Yea. Try Giro D'italia: theyre books for junior cert Italian. Then you can also get the past exam papers which have a cd and you can listen and try past papers which follow a specific syllabus.
the best thing though, is to learn through conversation. I recomend you go to Italy to learn. Did you think about being an au pair?

I definitely can't go to Italy - my life is here! Plus it's really just for my own amusement, to give me something to do in the evenings. I agree immersion is the best way to learn (my Spanish improved leaps and bounds because I lived there), but I think you can reach a decent level by other means.

Will check out the book suggestion, thanks!

Watching Italian television is a start.

Then, get an Italian lover for the finishing touch!

Worked for me.

Tom

Yep. While your boyfriend is away, get an Italian lover, when he comes back, you will have new saucy tricks in the kitchen and bedroom to show him and you will have learnt a new language.

And I'm sure he won't mind a bit!

Kamarate,
I've used a few programs...the best for me was one called Rocket Italian.

I recommend, though, that you check out this post. It's a pretty good article telling you how to pick the best software based on your needs and learning style.

I read it and Rocket seemed best for me...curious to know what others think. If you check it out, I'd like to hear which you think is best.

Kamarate,

My BF, who is on the road all the time for his job and has no time to sit through a regular class, is using Rosetta Stone and is really happy with it. It is quite an investment upfront, but in his case it's working quite well and he is very satisfied with it.

I don't want to say, but I get the impression that his Italian improved quite a bit since he met me, hehehe. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about my German!

In any case, if you fancy a practice chat in Italian sometimes, let me know.

Learning a foreign language in bed is always the best way!

I would love a chat, but Zurich is a little far.

I can teach you German basics K. And if you find an Italian teacher - we could share lessons (well it depends on the 'style' as above). I was doing A'Level in the UK when we decided to move here- and I'd love to start again. Migrosschule only does beginners.

I wouldn't recommend Italian tv if your goal is to learn to speak standard and/or grammatically correct Italian.

Books (translations included), magazines and newspapers would be a better option.

But I definitely agree with the Italian lover part!

The best coursebooks I can recommend are:

- Bravissimo, publisher: edizioni scolastiche Bruno Mondadori ISBN 88-424-8037-1
this book covers the elementary and intermediate level.
I bought a copy here in Switerland for around 45 francs.
You can also buy separately a CD-rom

- Chiaro!, publisher: Alma Edizioni Firenze
which is also the new course book in use at Migros Schule.
There is a level A1 book, a level A2 book and level B1 book, no upper-intermediate or advanced levels.

- If you're re more interested in grammar, L'italiano e l'Italia (publisher: Guerra edizioni), is an upper-intermediate/advanced level book with detailed grammar, exercises, and reading materials about Italy and the Italian society. It's a bit boring though.
I found it for less than 40 francs in a local bookshop.

I did take German at uni (starting from scratch - have lost quite a lot of my level) so I have basic German (my grammar is a lot more advanced than my vocabulary). Would love to study Italian regularly together - I have a friend who also wants to start. But I really do only have the very basics so far.

Again, other than a SO who only speaks Italian, Italian TV, DVDs, radio are best.

Tom

Here in Lugano, were many USI students come from abroad, I know they organise informal meetings (usually with the excuse of eating out) and fellow students who are native Italian speakers are invited to participate: all conversation is carried out in Italian, the natives help/correct the foreigners and in exchange they usually get free drinks or something.

Maybe you can find some native Italian speakers in Neuchatel who study at university? Try leaving a note on the university notice board.