Feature Summary

In giro per l'Italia features a clear, user-friendly organization. The text contains a preliminary chapter and eighteen regular chapters. The preliminary chapter offers students a stimulating introduction to the study of Italian and to the basic tools they need to express themselves on a variety of daily topics. The eighteen regular chapters are divided into four Lezioni, each easily located through a color-coded tabbing system. Along with the mid-chapter cultural spread, vocabulary, grammar, and skill-building activities are grouped into distinct and regular lessons for optimum ease of use.

Chapters 1 through 18 are organized as follows:

Chapter opener
Each chapter opens with a postcard, letter, or e-mail from Italian "characters" and their friends to help launch the chapter theme and grammar. In breve, a brief outline, summarizes the chapter's Lezioni.

Lezione 1: Vocabolario
This section introduces and practices the thematic vocabulary that students will use for self-expression and activities throughout the chapter. The Dialogo-Lampo that begins this section is a brief and often humorous dialogue, accompanied by a visual, that sets the context for the vocabulary and exercises that follow.

Lezioni 2 and 3: Grammatica
Three to five grammar points are presented in these sections, each introduced in context by a brief dialogue or cartoon and accompanied by both focused exercises and more communicative activities. Lezione 3 also includes the Piccolo ripasso, review exercises that reinforce the structures and vocabulary of the chapter.

Lezione 4: Prospettive
This section integrates the vocabulary and grammar from the first three Lezioni in rich and stimulating skill-building activities. The Lettura, a cultural reading written in authentic Italian, provides information about the chapter themes to present a vivid, non-stereotypical portrait of contemporary Italy. Scrivere, the writing section, allows students to develop their skills by completing various tasks that progress from writing simple sentences to extended narrations. In ascolto is an integrated listening comprehension program, coordinated with an audiocassette or audio CD that accompanies the student text. The Videoteca section is a text-specific, integrated video section incorporating images and dialogues from the video, followed by comprehension and discussion questions. Through these components, Lezione 4 is a true four-skills section.

Saluti e baci
This mid-chapter spread, appearing between Lezioni 2 and 3, includes the reply to the correspondence piece of the chapter opener expanding further upon the chapter's theme and grammar structures. Students learn about the various regions of Italy through the In giro per le regioni reading, which presents one or two of the twenty regions. The Ritratto feature briefly introduces students to a famous Italian native to the region in focus. And with L'Italia virtuale, which directs students to the In giro per l'Italia website for additional regional-based activities, students get connected to the virtual Italian world.

Nota culturale
Brief cultural notes, accompanied a photograph, offer students a glimpse into everyday Italian life and cover topics ranging from how Italians greet each other to coffee bars to recycling.

Parole-extra
These lists of related expressions supplement the Vocabolario in Lezione 1.

Nota bene
These grammar boxes expand on important points in Lezioni 2 and 3.

Si dice così
These boxes highlight idioms and colloquial expressions to help students understand nuances in Italian.