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.
Antonello Borra is assistant professor of Italian at the University of Vermont. Cristina Pausini is visiting assistant professor at Wellesley College.
