Italian Through Film: A Text for Italian Courses

This supplementary text for elementary to intermediate courses in Italian is structured around stimulating discussions of ten contemporary Italian films, among them Cinema Paradiso, La vita e bella, Mediterraneo, and Il postino. With a chapter devoted to each movie, the book effectively fosters a deeper understanding of both Italian language and culture, and it is adaptable for any level of language instruction. Italian Through Film features: Films that are easily available from school video libraries or from video stores; Pre-viewing, viewing, and post-viewing activities appropriate to the various films in each chapter; Grammar review, vocabulary in context, listening comprehension, cultural and historical background, and discussion questions for language practice; Exercises ranging in difficulty from elementary to highly sophisticated that are designed to enhance students' vocabulary and cultural awareness as well as oral and written skills; Boxed sections that provide information about the movie, director, plot, and certain cultural aspects specific to each movie; Lists of Internet-based activities that expand aspects of each movie by exploring Italian websites.