Product Description

Contatti, the best-selling Italian course for adult beginners, is aimed at those wishing to learn Italian from scratch. Whether learning for work or pleasure, Contatti gives a thorough grounding in the language enabling learners to speak, read, write and understand contemporary Italian. Contatti 1, the first part of the course, introduces the key structures of the language over 14 thematic lessons with the emphasis placed firmly on communication. Authentic reading and listening materals are used extensively for a wide range of lively activities based on everyday situations in Italy. From the outset, a realistic range of registers and vocabulary encourage development of the essential skill of comprehension. There are regular opportunities for revision and consolidation, and vocabulary and grammar support are given both at the end of each lesson and in full at the end of the book. Contatti 1 is ideal for group and individual study and covers the skills and structures required at GCSE level.

The changes for the second edition are not large scale, with exercises and realia updated where necessary, grammar explanations improved and a number of new photos and artwork. The use of English is kept to a minimum after the first two units in line with current practice. References to the internet and modern technology are included in the new edition, and Lire have been altered to Euros ready for the big changeover in January 02. [The accompanying cassettes have been revised to take this into account.]

The familiar layout has been retained with small improvements to the design: new chapter openers and running headlines make for easier student reference and information box styles have been standardised.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75751 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

About the Author
Both the authors are experienced teachers of Italian. Giuliana Checketts lectures in Italian at Thames Valley University.

Customer Reviews

Doesn't do quite what it says on the tin
On the back of the book it says it contains most of the GCSE syllabus and that its good for both individuals and group learners.
Its not very useful to contain only some of the GCSE syllabus is it?! You're always going to need more books if you're using it to work on a GCSE. (I did a GCSE at an adult evening class).
Also it would be pretty hopeless if you were using it alone because there are loads of role plays where "Student B"'s part is at the back of the book. It does have useful bits like the revision at the end of every chapter and the pictures and interactive stuff but its not much cop as an exam companion.
The tapes are quite good though - quite a few of the conversations sound like they are real situations.

Excellent for in class work
Really good for class work providing the teacher/lecturer is also up to standard. Only cassettes available, not CD's which is a pity as it becomes invaluable as an out of class learning tool once you know how to use it (I have recently acquired a car with CD player, but no cassette, and really miss in car revision sessions). It does assume the student has an unrealistically advanced grasp of the language from an early stage and, for this reason, I would not recommend it for anything other than class work. However, in that context it is, from my limited experience (ie it is the only class tool I have used), well worth while. It is definitely possible to work through the whole book within 2 years, @ 2 hours per week in class and approx. the same "homework", and become pretty fluent - any further study is entirely down to the student. Suffice to say that in 1973 I was at a well known Grammar School and was taken out of French classes to concentrate on alternative "O" Level subjects that I had more chance of passing. I was that bad at languages! If I can do it, later in life, anybody can. And that is probably the best testimony I can give. It gets 3 stars from me as I haven't tried any thing else but, as I say, strictly for class work, then you will really see the benefits of this material...

A good textbook for classroom use
This textbook covers a good variety of topics and grammar and is ideally suited for someone who's starting to learn Italian to use on holiday, but covers the grammar in enough detail to form a good base for future GCSE and A-level studies.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's looking to learn Italian on their own as the vast majority of exercises are based on roleplay with a partner and some of the grammar needs to be explained in more detail by someone who's more fluent in Italian.

The only thing missing from this set would be some video material for the teacher to show the class in order to familiarise them more with Italy.