Abridged or full?

[BeatleMania]

If after studying Italian for 2 years and spending this past 1/2 year following up on grammar, would you order the very abridged version of Piccole Donne (http://www.languages4fun.com/product_p/9788809614055.htm) or the full version translated (http://www.languages4fun.com/product_p/9788809029026.htm)?

Looking through the pictures of the abridged version pages, I have a bit of trouble but get the gist of most of the sentences. The full version doesn't have pages to look at.

I'm leaning towards abridged, but maybe there is a reason to get the full.

Thanks.

[Ester Maria]

Abridged, they are easier to go through and with much smaller "frustration potential" than the full works, if you are not used to reading in Italian. Start with abridged versions or kid's books rather than overwhelming yourself, and then after a while it will build up your stamina for full works.

[BeatleMania]

Abridged, they are easier to go through and with much smaller "frustration potential" than the full works, if you are not used to reading in Italian. Start with abridged versions or kid's books rather than overwhelming yourself, and then after a while it will build up your stamina for full works.

Just the person I was hoping would answer :001_smile:

This is what I thought, thanks for answering.

[CleoQc]

I would suggest the same thing. On top of that, *if* you can find the audio version, I would buy it, and listen to it, as you read through the full version - eventually.

When my dad joined the air force, back in the 50s, he didn't speak much English. His one-up-in-command (whatever he was) brought my dad kids books. Mother Goose stuff. Told my dad he needed to read them to be able to understand references to them in daily life. It was also easier to read. My dad did the same to me.

[Joan in Geneva]

His one-up-in-command (whatever he was) brought my dad kids books. Mother Goose stuff. Told my dad he needed to read them to be able to understand references to them in daily life.

This is a very good idea! Thanks.

Joan

[Jamee]

Can you get Italian children's books on Kindle or Nook?

[Ester Maria]

I would suggest the same thing. On top of that, *if* you can find the audio version, I would buy it, and listen to it, as you read through the full version - eventually.
Yes, this is a brilliant suggestion.

There are a whole lot of FREE Italian audiobooks on the internet, this (http://www.liberliber.it/home/index.php) probably being the most known one. On the left side, you have options "audioteca" and "biblioteca" so you can find texts and recorded books. It is mostly classics, translations and some more difficult literature, though.

I would maybe go here (http://www.walter.bz/podcast/) too, where you have fairy tales with or without text. This might help your reading comprehension, reading them while listening to them - or going through the text analytically (finding unknown words and analyzing the text) and then, once you got it, listening to it for better retention.

[BeatleMania]

Yes, this is a brilliant suggestion.

There are a whole lot of FREE Italian audiobooks on the internet, this (http://www.liberliber.it/home/index.php) probably being the most known one. On the left side, you have options "audioteca" and "biblioteca" so you can find texts and recorded books. It is mostly classics, translations and some more difficult literature, though.

I would maybe go here (http://www.walter.bz/podcast/) too, where you have fairy tales with or without text. This might help your reading comprehension, reading them while listening to them - or going through the text analytically (finding unknown words and analyzing the text) and then, once you got it, listening to it for better retention.

Thanks for the links! I like the looks of the fairy tale one :001_smile:

[cathmom]

I always use children's books in my adult classes - they really like them! There are enough visual clues so they're not lost, and they are really good to refer back to when we learn grammar points. "You've already seen the accusative in Max und der Ball!" I'll say to them.