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This set contains one half of what's included in Pimsleur's Italian 1 package, and for a fraction of the price. Combining different programs can be very valuable, because you can see the subtle differences that occur. It is well worth the money. I've not traveled to Italy yet but will go in the Fall of this year.I've been using this set for audio, listening and learning in the car, and I've used a different program on my computer at home for visual/writing and speaking, BYKI 4 Deluxe. This will also help to build confidence.I've heard it's very difficult to learn to speak Italian (TO Italians), because there are so many different dialects. Don't let this deter you.This course is a gold mine.
She had some classes in a language school some years ago but talking remained very hard. So we spoke only Italian at home. I was born in Brazil, but my parents were Italians. Not anymore, since she put her hands in this Pimsleur Conversational Italian. I've been married for 10 years now and my wife was always complaining about how difficult it was to speak Italian. She claims that she understands almost everything when she hears my mother and I talking, since Italian and Portuguese are similar in many ways, but she is very shy in trying to speak with us. She is very happy, always greeting me with some new word or expression she just heard and learned. It really works, I can check it almost every day.
The into Berlitz course is also on audio disk but it does not match the Pimsler in useful content or style of presentation. I have done a side comparisons of different courses. Rosetta Stone is excellent, has more features than Pimsler but that is also one its downfalls. I purchased the into to Italian courses of different publishers including Berlitz and Rosetta Stone.
The voice print analysis and pronunciation meter features are cool. Pimsler is the one I have used the most because it an audio disk and can be used in my vehicle. Any time I am in my vehicle I am learning. I have been more than pleased with the Pimsler's Into to Italian. For example the Pimsler course taught me how to order wine and beer while Rosetta Stone was teaching me how to say "The boy is Jumping". I am continuing use the Rosetta Stone but not as much as the Pimilser on about a 4 to 1 basis.
Since it requires that I be at my computer to use it, I use it less. At the moment I use it for working on my pronunciation.
Also, If you are on a budget, the Pimsler is cheaper. Pimsler wins.
Also when I start trying to learn to read Italian is suspect Rosetta Stone will be more useful. I have stopped using it entirely.
I have also stopped using two other lesser known courses. However for the average beginner just trying to learn a basic vocabulary and practical phrases Pimsler wins hands down.
If you are not on a budget get both Pimsler and Rosetta Stone but if you have to choose, get Pimsler
Stop. Once you hear these 16 CD's you'll want the rest and you'll be angry you spent the money buying these first. Don't buy this one if you're serious about learning Italian. The Pimsleur series is the best self-taught language learning system out there but this product is just the first half of Italian I : Pimsleur Comprehensive (Pimsleur CD Series). The first 16 lessons just give you enough to get interested but not enough to reasonably converse with anyone. You'll be sorry if you like them and end up wanting more.
I wanted a course that would focus on speaking Italian rather than reading or writing and this one does a great job of getting one to use everyday phrases and sentences confidently. I listen to the CDs in my car all the time and find that I'm mastering the basics quickly. My goal is to be able to use basic Italian for a trip to Italy in 2008 and I feel that this course will help me do just that.
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