Italianissimo - No.1 : Beginners

Part of an Italian language course for beginners, this book is divided into two levels, each consisting of five units with additional material at the end.

Each unit contains dialogues showing the language in action, patterns which show how the language is used, practice to test what has just been learned, vocabulary, and troubleshooting - how to avoid common pitfalls.

The units are followed by Systems, which looks at the grammar in more detail; Reinforcement, consisting of more exercises; Review, to check and assess progress; Working On Your Own, a focus on learning strategies; Culture, with some paintings and poems to enjoy; and Profile, with additional reading and learning practice. The book has a twin-track approach. Track 1 is for students for whom communication is most important and who want to learn intensively.

They can study the units but miss out the additional grammar explanations and exercises at the end of the level.

Track 2 students, who want to master the language more thoroughly, can study the end-level material as well. Four audio-cassettes or CDs, and a teacher's book, are also available, and the course accompanies a BBC series on radio and television.