Mastering Italian: Book and 12 Cassettes

by Foreign Service Language Institute

These intensive programs are complete language immersion courses, and were created by the federal agency that trains U.S. government personnel in foreign language proficiency. They start with grammar and vocabulary basics, then bring students to proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. This program contains a grammar textbook plus fifteen compact discs.

• Format: Audio Cassette
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812073231
• ISBN13: 9780812073232
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 3.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.5" x 9.9" x 10.5"

Customer Reviews

solid introduction to spoken Italian

Having been through much of this course, I was surprised to read some of the negative comments. I suspect these opinions may relate to wanting a quick result easily, rather than building an in depth comfort with the language. Much of the course is built around pronunciation, as it should be. Too many courses give only grammar or vocabulary. This one forces you to evaluate your speech and pronunciation of the sound, resulting in more accurate responses. You actually learn to know how to spell unknown words in Italian and to hear subtle differences which change the meanings of words. While this course does not go far enough with the language (I gave 4 stars because there is no level 2 or 3), it does provide the solid base you need to proceed in Italian. Italian is not that easy to pronounce correctly. As I continue to study Italian, I have no doubt that I do so with a much better foundation than other courses offer. Without a live teacher to correct your errors, attention to these details and much repetition are essential. You may then move on to courses with more of the vocabulary and grammar desired with less concern over the basics of pronunciation.

Baby steps

After reading a very favorable review of Barron's Mastering Spanish I decided to give this one a try. Unfortunately the bookstore I went to didn't have it so I bought one that seemed similar, I got through about two lessons before I gave up. It was too hard! Finally I broke down and bought this course and it was worth it. The course takes you through the tiniest steps so it doesn't seem like much work at all, but by the time you're done you've got a lot of knowledge of the language.

This is a best begginer's course you can buy.

The most fundamental aspect of verbal communication is pronouncing the words correctly. This sounds like it should go without saying, but it doesn't. Try walking around less touristed areas of Italy incorrectly pronouncing your phrasebook Italian. You might as well be talking Chinese. Believe me I have been there. This course is a bit tedious at times and it is hard. But guess what? So is learning a foreign language as an adult. This course is the best I have ever used and I have used alot. It teaches the begginer what he or she absolutely has to know to learn to really communicate verbally in Italian.You will not finish this course speaking like a native, but it gives you the foundation you must have to improve your Italian.