Collins Easy Learning Italian Audio Course (Stage 1) Reviews

Produced by Collins, a well established publisher of reference materials, the Collins Easy Learning Audio Course: Italian takes you through the very basics of Italian in a simple and easy way. Broken up into 12 bite sized sections, it is perfect for fitting in a short Italian lesson into any spare 15 minute slots you may have throughout your day. Also, as an Audio-only course it is fully portable; play the CDs in the car or while cooking or the Mp3 files while jogging or walking the dog. The course focuses on practical Italian which you are likely to encounter while on holiday in Italy, this makes it useful for potential tourists who would like to pick up the basics before their trip; after all, learning the lingo always enhances a holiday, wherever you go.

Each unit starts by introducing you to 5 new key words or phrases before expanding on the basic vocabulary with practice activities, memory tips and culture. We found the activities simple yet enjoyable and the memory tips were useful as well; users are encouraged to limit their Italian study to manageable 15 minute blocks which is perfect for those of us with a short attention span. We especially like the culture and etiquette advice which not only made the whole course that little bit more interesting but also gives you far more confidence in actually applying your Italian. The courses follow the basic 'listen and repeat' structure which is a tried and tested approach to memorization while background information and explanations of where words come from make the course a little more interesting than learning by root. You also get the opportunity to go over what you have learned with the learners' booklet, exposing you to a limited amount of written Italian.

Quite clearly, as a beginners' course this will not take you past the basics such as booking a hotel room and asking for directions. Likewise, grammar is kept to a minimum meaning you will find it difficult to form your own phrases and take part in any real conversational Italian. Overall, the content was quite limited; intermediate Italian learners will have already covered everything and advanced language learners will fly through this. However, beginners with no prior language learning experience will really appreciate the simple, gentle approach of this Collins Easy Learning Audio Course. This product will be great for teaching you the basics prior to a holiday in Italy or complementing other beginners' learning resources. Available at a low price and as a download, you can get started learning Italian right away!

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