Avanti! Avanti ! The Thermometer

AVANTI! AVANTI! Is an entertaining Italian language course for beginners. It is also suited as a brush-up course for viewers with some preliminary knowledge. As of now, the series consists of 13 half-hour units. A continuation of the series is in the planning stage. AVANTI´!AVANTI! aims to show the foreign visitor to Italy what to say in a variety of situations. The course concentrates on a selection of the most useful words and phrases and demonstrates their manifold use, thus imprinting them on the learner’s memory. AVANTI! AVANTI! Is mainly designed for viewers who have to work during the day and therefore places emphasis on an entertaining presentation of the language learning material. Presented by Ima Agustoni, a wellknown TV personality in the German-speaking countries, the course has been conceived as a pedagogic variety program, with circus and stage elements. Most units contain clown scenes as well a Commedia dell’arte type sketch. Several programs feature short film scenes about Italy.Units 4, 8 and 12 repeat the most important learning material of the units preending them. Most of the grammar work is taken care of by the accompanying booklet (published by Langenscheidt for the Gemrna-speaking areas, by Stichting Teleac for Holland). An audiocassette of the dialogue is also available.Programme 11, “Il termometro”, which is typical of the course as a whole, teaches expressions concerning people’s state of health and mind, from getting a headache to falling in love. Appropriately, a brief film insert features volcanic activity on the Italian island.This program has a slight feminist touch.“Avanti! Avanti! Combines language teaching with theatric entertainment (see above).