If you've already learned the basics of Italian, are fascinated by Italian culture, and want to take your language skills to a higher level, Acquerello italiano is the perfect self-study solution!

Edited by Anthony Oldcorn (Professor Emeritus, Italian Studies at Brown University) and hosted by Lao Petrilli, one of Italy's best-known broadcast journalists, each quarterly edition (four issues a year) is an unbeatable combination of entertaining audio, rich annotation, and challenging pedagogy.

If you think cable television, radio, or the Internet offer comparable benefits, consider this: each issue of Acquerello italiano comes on an audio CD or cassette so that you can work on your Italian while commuting, jogging, walking the dog, or cooking dinner. Just pop the cassette or CD into any standard player and listen as many times as you like! Each hour-long program is packed with interesting news, interviews, music, and features on topics ranging from politics and current affairs to sports, travel, film, and opera--all presented in Italian by native speakers. You also get a magazine containing a word-for-word printed transcript of the program. Difficult words and phrases are highlighted in bold in the text and defined in an extensive (500 entries on average) Italian-English glossary conveniently placed on the right-hand facing pages throughout the transcript section of the booklet. As well as key contextual definitions, the glossary contains explanations of tricky grammatical constructions. At the back of the booklet there are fascinating background notes that give you additional information about the people, places, and issues discussed in the program. There are even URLs for Web sites you can access to get more in-depth information.

If rapid improvement in Italian is a priority, you should take advantage of our optional study supplements. Language-acquisition expert and University of Rome faculty member, Simon Richardson prepares a variety of exercises for home or classroom use to accompany each issue. Applicable to all levels of proficiency, the supplements include listening and postlistening exercises covering selected segments of the program. Listening exercises help you zero in on key words and phrases that are critical to understanding a feature. Postlistening exercises consist of grammar drills and comprehension exercises. All answers are included.

Finally: Can't figure something out?--perhaps some grammatical issue? Log on to our bulletin board and ask the editor. Anthony Oldcorn will be glad to explain it to you or tell you where to go for help. Now how's that for customer service? The fact is you won't get this much portability, rich annotated content, topicality, and editorial/subscriber feedback from any other language product on the market.

It's easy. It's fast. Just log on to our secure order page, follow the simple instructions, and your first issue will be on its way to you within ten working days. So, what are you waiting for? Join the thousands of students of Italian worldwide who depend on Acquerello italiano--Subscribe now!

STOP PRESS: Italian Audio Flash Cards are a new addition to Acquerello italiano and comprise an audio CD with 100 words and phrases taken from the main program. The Flash Cards begin with issue XI, no 6 of Acquerello italiano. (This product must be purchased with a subscription to Acquerello italiano audiomagazines.)