I plan on traveling to Italy 2004 and would like to learn some Italian before then. Are any of you aware of a CD program that is good for learning? I've seen some thru internet search but don't know how good they are.<BR>Thanks in advance

I would recommend starting with the largest public library close to you, and try by borrowing more than one brand.<BR><BR>Having said that, there are consistently positivie remarks about the Pimsleur products.<BR><BR>Whatever you use, they all work best if you say it OUT LOUD. No mumbling. No saying it to yourself &quot;in your head&quot;. Much of the process is getting over, or getting used to hearing yourself and how (bad or silly or whatever) you (think you) sound.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I used tapes and cds from my public library to get familiar with Italian before a trip. I started about a month before leaving and listened to them in my car on the way to and from work. It helped a lot on our trip. I used Pimsleur and one whose name I cannot remember, but it was more comprehensive and came with a book. It was something the American foreign service (or some such thing) uses. I would definitely start with the Pimsleur tapes. Good luck and have a great trip. Ciao.

If you want a good, basic that really helps, I'd try the In-Flight CD. It is short, but has the basics for various situations: traveling, dining, hotels, etc. I used InFlight French before my trip to Paris last year and it was so helpful. I am currently using the InFlight Italian for a trip this spring. You can find these in Barnes &amp; Noble. I imagine Amazon has it, too. They have more extensive courses, but I found this JUST RIGHT.

Other than thank you or hello goodbye etc.etc. what more do you want in such a short time?<BR> When they start answering in Italian assuming you speak the language, albeit with a heavy accen,will you understand them?<BR>After a simple greeting in Italian ask if they speak English,lots do, and go from there.

I'm not a very good library person because I never make it back to return the books (I don't use dry cleaners much either for the same reason) so I guess I'll try Pimsleur and InFlight.<BR><BR>Rex - do people ever think they sound okay speaking a foreign language?? (I'm just kidding) <BR><BR>Of course, I know I will not be fluent by the time we go but I speak a small amount of Spanish and I think it's fun to listen to Spanish being spoken and try to figure out what is being said. <BR><BR>Thanks for the information. I'll get them and learn as much as I can.

Katie,<BR>I've been trying to learn Spanish for an upcoming trip and have tried CDs, books, and my husband even bought me a Franklin. Maybe it's because I'm not very good at foreign languages, but I've become so frustrated, I enrolled in a class at a local community college.<BR><BR>I guess a lot depends on how much you want to learn and how good you are at languages, but if you start now, you probably should be able to pick up a least enough to help get around by 2004.<BR><BR>While many people in both Italy and Spain speak English, I think it's really nice to try to speak their language.<BR><BR>Good luck!

The Pimsleur tapes are really terrific. I have used the French ones, and still practice with them almost everyday (while walking my dogs!) I already knew a little French before buying the tapes, but they have helped tremendously with pronunciation and sentence structuring. Expensive, but well worth it.

&lt;&lt;do people ever think they sound okay speaking a foreign language??&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>&quot;okay&quot;? maybe not - - that's why I said it is important to get used to what you sound like - - or get &quot;over&quot; it.<BR><BR>and to the notion that<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;When they start answering in Italian assuming you speak the language, albeit with a heavy accen,will you understand them?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>I think this alsmost sad, and botdering on unforgiveable. YES, chances are you will be able to start to understand short answers. Lots of questions have a one word answer. And so much benefit derives from being able to read and write a little bit of a language.<BR><BR>I don't know what is meant by the reference &quot;what more do you want in such a short time?&quot; - - she isn't leaving for 16 months, and we don't know how long she is staying there!<BR>

Hi Katie,<BR><BR>I've been taking Italian for a few years now with a private instructor, and supplementing the lessons with Berlitz books and tapes, which I've found very helpful. There's also an Italian site online, called &quot;Cyberitalian.com&quot;, which allows you to listen to conversations, using a mic plugged into your computer. That's been very good, too. Best of luck!

to the top, for someone who asked something like this just yesterday<BR>

Hey, Sue, I thought I was the only one that did that!---walk around the neighborhood with the dog, tape on, speaking French! lol