Talk Now Learn Italian: Essential Words and Phrases for Absolute Beginners (PC/Mac)

Ridiculously simple in format, the CD-Rom first asks you to register your name, then presents you with three options: "Learn", "Games" and "Record". First try the "Learn" function, where you can scroll through a number of basic (and some bizarre!) choices of vocabulary, which are each pronounced by a male and a female voice, presented as a picture and written as a word. Or, click the "dice" button, which will present you with a random order of items. Then move on to the "Games", which include "Find the Card", "Match the Pairs" and "Beat the Clock", all fairly self-explanatory exercises that can each be attempted at three difficulty levels. The tiger narrator will help, with a congratulatory "perfect!" or an empathetic "oops", depending on your score. But the real joy of this program is the "Record" function, which allows you to hear a word pronounced, then record your own attempt, before playing back both versions to compare your effort to that of a native speaker. Great fun and a fantastic learning tool. Once you have a few recordings you are happy with, play them one after the other in the "Cinema" to rapturous applause!

Claiming to be for the 4-12 years age group, this package is certainly intuitive enough for children to use, though the younger end of this age group would require support. Reading straight from the disc, it doesn't require a lengthy set-up procedure and it doesn't litter your hard drive with unnecessary files. It is bright, fun, and innovative, and certainly keeps the attention of the student much longer than more traditional formats. Undoubtedly, because of that, it is more effective. Great for the kids before you take them on an Italian holiday, or for adults who want a simple, fun introduction to the language. Deceptively good.--Lucie Naylor