Hi all,

I just joined this group and really don't speak Italian, but want to learn. Could anyone recommend a class, book or software that's really good to start with?

Thanks a lot,
Donna

Donna, the local community colleges have easy registration and good courses. I have taken courses at Southwestern College and at SDSU. The main difference in the courses was the cost. Under SDSU's Open University policy you can sign up for any course that is not filled with matriculated students, but the cost per couse is nearly $600 bucks, about ten times the community college course fee. Mira costa College has an excellent professoressa of Italian, Aned Muniz, who has been their teacher of the year.
The House of Italy in Balboa Park is again offering some classes. Although classes are also offered at the Italian Community Center, you may not be aware of the courses in Balboa Park (e.g.,"HOUSE OF ITALY
INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION This is a fun-filled speaking only class designed for students who have an intermediate level of Italian.
An excellent platform to speak, use and practice Italian. 8-week course
Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 10:00 am Starting January 26th ending March 15th, 08 Donation: $65. Materials included.
Hurry this class will fill up fast! Class size is limited to insure personalized attention. Payment must be received by January 19th, 2008 to secure your space. To register make check payable to HOI and mail to:
HOUSE OF ITALY, P.O. Box 40524, San Diego, CA 92164-0524."

As far as books go "Eccoci!" by Bullock and D'angelo or "Ciao!" by Federici and Riga are good texts used locally in beginning courses.

Al Bell

Donna, like Al mentioned, there are a ton of good Italian Language Programs in San Diego. I personally recommend the classes at the Italian Community Center in Little Italy. http://www.icc-sd.org... - I took classes there twice on Saturdays which worked out great for me. The classes range from $100 to $150. Used books are easy to get on www.amazon.com - just make sure you buy the correct edition. My professoressa was Graziella Spinelli-Kehrenberg and later Andrea (last name escapes me). They were both excellent. I used the Ciao! Textbook for those classes at that time. All the best, Sabine

Like those above mentioned, taking a class can be fun and effective. If you live closer to San Diego la professoressa Aned Muniz teaches Italian at Grossmont College as well. USD has or used to have a group called "Mangiamo in italiano", geared primarily towards the younger student crowd. And there was a North County Italian Conversation Group but I haven't stayed on top of things lately. But judging from the date you first posted the message, you might already be speaking fluent Italian! I am new here, so my apologies for the late reply.

Ciao Donna,

If North County is convenient for you, I teach classes in Italian Conversation and Culture. My fall courses just started up this past week in downtown Carlsbad (Tuesdays 7-9) and Escondido (Wednesdays 7-9), for 8 weeks.

If you are interested, you are still in time to join either of the classes. Please check out my website for more info and also for my contact info: http://ItalianoWithJo.... I am a California-credentialed teacher and a native-fluency speaker of Italian.

In bocca al lupo!
Jodina