Anyone know of a good program for basic, introductory Italian? We'd like to get a CD/audio program we can listen to and get a feel for the language before we get there in about four weeks. Thanks!

Hi Maureen,

I used a set of Living Language All-Audio CDs and it worked well for me. These CDs concentrate on conversational phrases. I'd recommend an audio set like this as well as a pocket phrasebook and maybe even a cheap electronic dictionary.

Four weeks isn't alot of time, but do as much as you can ... you won't regret it. Concentrate on the practical everyday things: Greetings, ordering off a menu, and buying bus tickets. Your effort will be appreciated.

I used "Learn in Your Car Italian"....level one. It also came with a booklet. Had a lot of useful phrases for travellers. I bought it at Barnes & Noble.

"Pimsleur" audio tapes and CDs, which should be available at your local libray.

If you have only four weeks, I recommend "Quick Take Off In Italian" by Oxford/University Press. It has a 128 page pocket-sized booklet, two audio CDs, and a folding credit card size "survival guide" with essential words and phrases. It costs $21.50.

The course is intended for casual travelers, and has six units: greetings, eating out, accommodations, getting around, shopping, and emergencies.

I have other Italian language CDs (Pimsleur, Learn In Your Car, TravelTalk, Barrons, and Berlitz), and recommend "Quick Take Off" as an excellent introductory program.

Woody