In-Flight Italian : Learn Before You Land

Rating:
Summary: Crash Landing
Review: The blurb on the back of the package claims that if you work on this programme during your flight, you will learn enough of the language to get by. Unless your flight will be equal in length to a flight to Mars, you will certainly not be able to absorb enough of this 60-minute course to even nearly get by. This is a CD "update" to Fast & Easy Italian (also by Living Language). In-Flight Italian boasts over 400 essential words & phrases (a 100 word increase from Fast & Easy). Less is sometimes better. Each phrase on In-Flight is only spoken once (rather than twice as on the Fast & Easy series), not enough if you want to gauge your progress. The native speakers are for the most part speaking clearly, but WAY too fast. It comes with a "boarding pass"(booklet with the entire script). If you are already familiar with the language, the In-Flight series might actually get you up to speed in between the in-flight movie & the meal (soda pop & peanuts). If you are trying to learn Italian, try Pimsleur's Italian I thru III (expensive but effective). Pimsleur Italian has 30 lessons in each unit, and will get you SPEAKING (the course is audio only) straight away. Pimsleur is by far the best course available. If you are short on time and need a "survival" course, get Language/30 Italian (by Educational Services Corp). Language/30 comes with 2 tapes and a booklet. If Fast & Easy Italian is still available, it is better than In-Flight Italian. The truly serious language learner will be wise to go through all 3 Pimsleur courses and finish up with Living Language Ultimate Italian Level I & II.