Designed to teach the basic elements of the Italian language, this book is a breakthrough in the field of language studies. Its easy, stimulating, and enjoyable approach to learning Italian will benefit beginners and more advanced speakers alike.

An opening chapter on Italian spelling and pronunciation is followed by thirty lessons, each one introducing a conversational theme centred around a crossword puzzle. The lessons present new words and expressions, sample conversations, and language notes, each one building on the last and presenting puzzles that are progressively more challenging. A number of chapters designed as reviews include word-search puzzles and anagrams. Answers are at the back, along with verb conjugation charts and language glossaries.

An ideal learning tool for anyone who has little time for serious study but can always find a minute to do a crossword puzzle, this book will also provide an excellent course supplement at both high-school and university levels.

MARCEL DANESI teaches on the history of puzzles at Victoria College of the University of Toronto. Danesi has written puzzles for Reader’s Digest, The Toronto Star, and also maintains a blog on puzzles for Psychology Today. He has also published several best-selling puzzle books, such as The Total Brain Workout and The Complete Brain Workout.

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