I need to become as fluent as possible in Italian over the next twelve months. (Okay, I don't NEED to be fluent, but I will be travelling next fall with a whole gang of non-Italian-speakers, and I've been designated as the most likely spokesperson.) I've tried the learn-in-your-car tapes, and while they were okay for the basics--I could get us on the second train from Rome to Naples if I had to--I want and need something more effective. <BR><BR>I checked into Berlitz this evening, and I'm not sure what to think. Obviously there's a lot of experience there and their reputation is good, but they're also very expensive (at least in my view). Basically, I could have private lessons for approximately $175 per 2 1/4 hour lesson or "semi-private" lessons (me plus one or two other students) for approximately $125 per lesson. I would have to sign up for ten semi-privates or either 14 or 25 privates. That's a lot of cash, so before I make a decision, I thought I would ask for advice. Have you taken Berlitz courses, and if so, was it worth it? Are there similar language study programs (other than books, tapes, and CDs, which I would use to supplement) that I should investigate? <BR><BR>Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!<BR>

Where do you live? Not to be nosey, but there may be schools or organizations nearby with classes. (There are where I live.)

No problem. I live in north suburban Chicago. There are sometimes classes at the local community college, but they tend to be a larger class (15-20 people) once a week for 6-8 weeks per semester, focusing on very basic communication. I will look into them, but my sense is/was that it would take years to get anywhere near conversational. I may be wrong, though--thanks for the suggestion.

I forgot to mention that the Berlitz charges include their materials (books and I think CDs or tapes, not sure which).

I took some private lessons at Berlitz (French) and thought they were very effective. I did take French in high school many, many years ago, so had some background. Also, before I took the private lessons I got the Berlitz Basic French course, and worked through it. Their tape courses are fantastic, if you are willing to really work at it. It takes a lot more than just in your car! After I finished the private lessons, I bought their Advanced French course on tapes, and am still working on that. Berlitz is very expensive, but I think it was worth it, for the private lessons. I would like to do some more after I finish with the Advanced home course. However, I feel like I will never really be fluent without spending ALOT of time in a French-speaking country. Anyway, it's fun trying- even if expensive and time-consuming. Good luck!

I chose to find a personal tutor - one for Italian and one for Hungarian. I found the experience far more rewarding. I didn't feel self conscious about giving an answer and my tutors were very encouraging (just say what you think - don't feel constrained). Let's face it - a classroom setting makes one (or at least me) self conscious. Having a personal tutor was very liberating. It's very affordable - I paid about on average about $37 for an hour.

Julie,<BR>"once a week for 6-8 weeks per semester, focusing on very basic communication" seem to indicate non-credit community education type of class? I think about the merit of these classes are cheap and don't take much time, but also you don't learn much either. The teacher credential for these classes are not at the same level as credit classes.<BR><BR>Whenever I have chance, I sign up for credit-classes. These are usually two hours/lesson, twice a week for 10 weeks per quarter. In one year, you should be able to take two college year worth of Italian, provided you go to summer concentrated 2nd year italian.<BR><BR>Community college type of credit class should be about $300/quarter for 40 hour class (2hr*2/week*10weeks) plus text books while at state schools, it runs about $500/quarter. Much more at private schools, but still less than private tutors.

I took Berlitz Italian 20 hours of private lessons earlier this year in anticipation of a trip to Italy. I spoke no italian, but had 10+ years of Spanish through high school/college. I found the Berlitz method much more effective and extremely fast than classroom learning. I ended up very well skilled for my trip, and never felt that I couldn't handle discussion. I would definitely do it again. The one-on-one is much better than a classroom because you're "on" the whole time, not waiting your turn to do a lesson or zoning out while listening to other people stumble through theirs. The only drawback I found is that I don't read or write Italian well at all, because Berlitz focuses on the spoken aspect only (you do the book lessons yourself, but they are never covered in class). You also have to do the tapes on your own, or else you're missing out on an important aspect of the course. <BR><BR>For what it's worth, I will take Berlitz again before my next trip to Italy, and will also do it to brush up on my Spanish. (Work pays, I'm not independently wealthy!)<BR><BR>Amy