The EuroTalk programs are very good values. As noted in other reviews, there is a big step between Talk Now and World Talk. I found the games useful teaching devices. The other disks are just gravy.

"Big jump between the two cd's"
IF you can keep your wife from talking too much in the background, you will learn quite a bit of Italian. Better yet, use headphones and put a sign on your back that you are trying to learn the language so that she won't be eating strange food like pig intestines when you get there. Otherwise, you will learn quickly, but there is a big leap between the beginner cd and the intermediate one. That's okay because you will have to wade into using Italian once you get there. It's worth the purchase.

"Inexpensive and decent!"
The first couple of weeks on this program I picked up a vocabulary of over 130 words. I can pronounce the words, recognize them in print, and recognize them when spoken.I needed a Italian program because in the summer of 2001 I am flying Italy to meet 17 cousins, 7 aunts and 8 uncles for the first time since I was less than a year old. Only a few of the cousins speak English, so I need to have some background in Italian too!

I purchased this program because it was inexpensive and gave me 4 different CD's for my money. The CD's include: * Talk Now! which is basic vocabulary * World Talk Italian which is mainly sentence structure * Italian English Dictionary * Voyage to Italy Tour

I liked this program because it is basic and gave me a good foundation of words in Italian. The Talk Now! CD is broken into 9 major divisions: First Words, Foods, Colors, Phrases, Body Parts, Numbers, Time, Shopping, and Countries for a total of 275 words.

Each of the divisions have 5 subdivisions: Print the Dictionary for that division, Play a Easy Game, Play a Hard Game, Practice Speaking, and Learning the New Words.

In addition there are also 2 other games for each division set up like concentration game in the main window (check out the card dealer!) and certificates can be printed for the completion of this CD. Several different people can use the same CD...just log on to retrieve your file.

The 2nd CD is much more involved. I have just begun this CD and one of the activities involves hearing a sentence read aloud. Then you are presented with 5 strips with phrases on them. Only 4 strips contain the phrases of the sentence you heard. You must put the strips in order. IT is tough because the sentences are spoken at a conversational rate - not slowed down!

The dictionary CD is GREAT!

The tour of Italy CD is really pretty and interesting.

For my money I am very, very pleased with my purchase. My only suggestion to you, is to use headphones while using this CD. You will be surprised at how much more you retain when all those background noises are removed! ENJOY!

"instant immersion italian"
Most unfriendly user product I have ever encountered. The help menus are terrible and the 4 cd's included must have been selected at random. There is no continuity. Don't waste your time.