Users of the Course

How to use the Course

This book is intended for anyone studying Italian, at any age, wherever they are learning it. It is especially suited to students taking an accelerated course in Italian from scratch at University who need to reach a high level in as short a time as possible. It can also be used by students on a regular beginners’ course or by those who want to revise or consolidate their knowledge. Since it goes beyond what is normally covered by a standard beginner’s course, you can continue to use it into the second year and beyond.

The course covers the important range of situations that are normally covered by beginners’ course books: meeting people and introducing oneself, making travel arrangements, booking accommodation, eating in a restaurant, etc. However it also covers situations such as working and studying in Italy and renting an apartment, as well as containing materials focused on the Italian media, including cinema, television, the press and advertising.

The book is organised both by functions and by grammar structures, with particular emphasis on the structures students find difficult. In terms of grammar structures, Units 1-15 cover simple sentences, including the forms and use of the full range of tenses: present, future, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, past historic, as well as gerund, indicative and participles.

Units 16-22 cover complex sentences, and the use and forms of the subjunctive: present, imperfect , perfect and pluperfect.

Each Unit includes reading, writing, speaking and listening activities. There are audio recordings to accompany the course and this website is intended for use as an additional resource by teachers using the Intensive Italian Course. To access the tips and guidance for teachers, click here.