Having a good vocabulary in Italian is a strong indicator of your ability to comprehend new material or listen to Italian conversations. That’s why, based on my over 10 years of experience as an instructor of Italian as a foreign language, I have compiled the following list. All these books are quality materials that I either use in my classes or recommend as self-study resources for my beginner and intermediate students.
Short Stories in Simple Italian
For upper-beginners and intermediate levels
Reading Short Story in Simple Italian is a great way to learn and remember new vocabulary by using it in context and through short stories designed with Italian learners in mind. By repeatedly reading simple phrases and using the most common Italian words in various ways, you can improve your ability to construct Italian sentences. This also reinforces the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learned in class. Learning a short story in Italian is also an effective way to maximize your exposure to the language, especially if you’re a beginner and not in Italy.
Attiva il Lessico A2/B1
For upper-beginners and intermediate levels
Attiva il Lessico A2/B1 An easy-to-use book to learn vocabulary in context. The book is made of 20 short units and each one comes with a different topic (traveling, cooking, ordering, etc). The new words are introduced through short texts or dialogues. In addition, you can find a lot of matching or filling the gaps exercises which will help you to memorize the vocabulary presented in the unit. A section is dedicated to idioms and chunks (combinations of words).
Attiva il Lessico B1/B2
for intermediate and upper-intermediate levels
Attiva il lessico B1/B2. A very useful textbook to expand and improve your Italian vocabulary if you already have a good grasp of the bases of the language. The structure is the same as the one described above. The topics for the -upper intermediate level range from art, music and health to talking about one’s personality.
Le prime 1000 parole italiane
for beginners
This Italian textbook contains a set of vocabulary exercises and activities using the 100 most common Italian words, specially selected for beginner Italian language learners. Answer keys and recap charts are also included, making it great for studying alone or in class.
Le prime 3000 parole italiane
for intermediate levels
This Italian textbook includes a set of vocabulary exercises and activities using the 3000 most common Italian words, specially picked for Italian language learners. Answer keys and recap charts are also included. It’s great for studying alone or in class and is better suited for students who have at least an intermediate level of Italian.
Italiano per modo di dire A2-C1
Common Italian expressions, intermediate and advanced leaners
Italiano per modo di dire. A2-C1. This is a textbook I really like because it teaches Italian sayings, proverbs, and idioms, helping you understand everyday Italian. It’s excellent for self-study, featuring 14 chapters on various themed expressions. It’s perfect for making your Italian sound more natural and fluent. The book is ideal for intermediate to advanced Italian learners.
Hai voluto la bicicletta…
for advanced Italian learners
Hai voluto la bicicletta….B2/C1. This is a book about Italian verb expressions, idioms and everything you need to reach a native level of Italian. The book is divided into six sections, each of which focused on different aspects of the language. The new expressions are presented in context (with dialogues or sample sentences) followed by plenty of activities to help you memorize the new patterns. Only for advanced Italian learners.
