Italian for Dummies (With Audio CD)

Whatever your reason for wanting to learn some Italian, Italian For Dummies is the right book for you. Written in partnership with Berlitz – experts in helping people learn foreign languages – this book gives you the skills you need for basic communication in Italian, and it will get you well on your way to becoming fluent. Just think what you're family and friends will think when you order off the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant!

Italian For Dummies covers not only ordering at an Italian restaurant, but also these topics:

• Basic spelling, grammar, and numbers
• Meeting and greeting, and making small talk
• Shopping, shopping, and even more shopping
• Going out on the town
• Business situations
• Traveling, checking into a hotel, and planning a trip
• Handling emergencies
• Top Ten lists with advice on how to pick up Italian quickly, things you should never say in Italian, and favorite Italian expressions

The best thing about this book is that you can learn at your own pace; for example, if you're planning a trip to Italy next year, sit down once or twice a week with this book and go through the chapters that you'll think you need for your trip. That's a lot easier than dragging yourself to a class twice a week – not to mention a lot more fun, too!

This book addresses the topics that I think I should know - how to check into a hotel, order food, ask for directions, make a phone call, go to the bank, go shopping, use a credit card, deal with an emergency, talk to a doctor, etc.

The CD is a great bonus because you can listen to the conversations along with the book. Overall, I did not feel overwhelmed because I can look at a section at a time before my trip. Learning a foreign language without attending a formal class is very difficult so I will be using this book to supplement my audio tapes.


Fantastico!   March 11, 2007
Donna J. Starling (Sicilia, Palermo, Italy)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is a really easy book to use. believe it or not, Italian is my first language, English my second & I speak several others as well! I used this book as a refresher course & I was totally amazed at the ease of use & the ability to understand everything that was put before me! I highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone that wants to learn basic Italian!


Great Way to Learn Some Italian   March 23, 2009
Susan A. Dugas (Orlando, FL)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I have bought several Italian language products from books to CD's and this little book is by far the best of all! Very easy to comprehend and learn at your pace. Well organized, with emphasis on most important aspects of the language pointed out very clearly. I love this book for learning Italian for my travel.
Susan Dugas,
Orlando, FL


Great!   March 24, 2009
R. Masis (Moore Haven, FL)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The book is very helpful. The audio is not to in depth, but it helps with the pronounciation. All-in-all, I think that it's a great starter book.


Great for travelers   September 1, 2009
K. J. MACCARRONE
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The CD is great for beginners. It goes nice and slow. I use this for my Italian class. It's a great book for travelers to learn the basics for traveling to Italy.