Introduction -- One of the attractions of learning a language on your own is that you can go about it at your own pace and in your own time. Italian has the added advantage that the spoken form is very close to the way the language is written, so that this book, though it can never replace native speakers in their country, can provide a simple and practical entry into the language. Another bonus which is particularly welcome to the learner is that many words are similar in both languages: this means that a competent reading knowledge may be gained with relative ease.