Assimil Italian Review
Are you looking for an effective way to learn Italian that feels natural and intuitive? The Assimil Italian course might be the solution you’ve been searching for. As one of the most popular language-learning methods in the polyglot community, Assimil has earned a reputation for its unique approach to teaching languages through immersion and context. But does it live up to the hype for Italian learners? In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the course, from its strengths and weaknesses to who it’s best suited for. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate learner looking to refine your skills, this review will help you decide if Assimil Italian is the right choice for your language-learning journey. Without further ado let’s get into it.
What is Assimil?
Assimil is a respected French language course publisher that was founded in 1929 by Alphonse Chérel. The company specialises in developing language-learning resources tailored for self-directed learners. Its debut publication, Anglais sans peine (English Without Toil), marked the start of its popular Sans Peine (With Ease) series, aimed at helping beginners achieve a B2 proficiency level in various languages. While Assimil offers courses in a wide range of languages, the selection depends on the learner’s base language, with French obviously boasting the largest selection.
Versions
Over the years, Assimil has released multiple versions of its Italian course, each reflecting updates in language teaching methods and cultural relevance. The English editions are translations of the original French versions, but they often lag behind by one or more editions, meaning learners using the English adaptation might miss out on the latest updates. Identifying which version of Assimil Italian you have can be surprisingly tricky, details like the book cover, ISBN, or even the publication date aren’t always reliable indicators. This can be frustrating. To make things easier, I’ve included the first lesson of each edition, as it serves as a simple and consistent way to pinpoint exactly which version you’re working with. Whether you’re a beginner or revisiting the course, knowing your edition can help you better understand its structure, content, and how it fits into the broader Assimil lineup.
- Italian without Toil (1957)
- Original French Edition: L’italien sans peine by Alphonse Chérel.
- First Lesson: Alla stazione.
- English Adaptation: Titled Italian without Toil.
- Le nouvel italien sans peine (1983)
- French Edition: Authored by Giovanna Galdo and Ena Marchi.
- First Lesson: Al telefono.
- English Adaptation: Italian With Ease translated and adapted by Adrien Hilal.
- L’Italien (2004)
- French Edition: Written by Anne-Marie Olivieri.
- First Lesson: Benvenuto in Italia!
- English Adaptation: Published in 2012 as Italian, translated and adapted by Erin Brady.
- Notes: The original L’Italien was given a small update in 2014 by the same author. The English version is of the translated 2004 edition.
- L’italien (2021)
- French Edition: Written by Federico Benedetti.
- First Lesson: I nuovi vicini.
- English Adaptation: As of January 2025, no English version exists.
The Method
Assimil uses a unique two-phase learning method to help you master Italian naturally. The first half of the course is the passive phase (referred to as the “receptive phase” in newer editions), where you focus on immersing yourself in the language by reading, listening to, and repeating each lesson. At lesson 50, you transition into the active phase (or “productive phase”), where you revisit previous lessons while continuing to learn new ones. This phase encourages you to start forming sentences and using the language actively.
While the method sounds straightforward, it can be a bit confusing at first, especially since different editions may include slightly varying instructions. For a clearer guide on how to make the most of Assimil, check out my dedicated post on How to Use Assimil.
Table of Contents
The 2012 edition by Anne-Marie Olivieri contains 100 lessons with 592 pages in total. The picture below shows you the lessons (the picture is from the French version).
- Introduction
- Lessons 1 to 100
- Grammar Appendix
- Irregular verbs
- Italian – English glossary
- English – Italian glossary
Layout
The book follows the classic Assimil layout, which mirrors a parallel text format—Italian on the left and English on the right. This setup makes it easy to compare and understand the target language in context. Each lesson is structured in a clear, uniform way, featuring:
- Dialogue: Parallel dialogues in Italian and English, allowing learners to naturally pick up meaning and usage.
- Notes: Short explanations of grammar points or cultural insights tied to the dialogue, adding extra layers to the learning experience.
- Translation Exercises: Tasks where learners translate Italian sentences into their native language, helping to solidify understanding and memory.
- Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises: Basic practical activities to test vocabulary and grammar skills.
- Revision lessons: Every seventh lesson is a revision lesson, recapping grammar points and expressions from the previous six lessons.
Dialogues
The dialogues in Assimil Italian are a core strength of the course, designed to be practical, engaging, and culturally relevant. Each lesson features parallel texts in Italian and English, making it easy for learners to follow along and understand the meaning in context. The conversations cover everyday situations like ordering coffee, making plans, going to the pharmacy discussing work, pets, university study and many more which helps learners build vocabulary and phrases they can actually use in real life. The dialogues are natural and conversational with a good mixture of formal and informal language, reflecting how Italians speak, which is great for developing listening and speaking skills. While they start simple, they gradually increase in complexity, ensuring learners are consistently challenged without feeling overwhelmed.
Exercises / Grammar Explanations
Like all Assimil courses, the lessons include two main types of exercises: translating sentences from Italian to English and fill-in-the-blank activities. These exercises are designed to reinforce the material covered in the dialogues, making them practical and accessible for beginners. However, they are relatively simple, so if you’re looking for more challenging or varied tasks, this course might not fully meet your needs.
Grammar explanations are provided as notes after each dialogue, often referencing specific parts of the conversation to clarify key points. These notes are concise and easy to follow, focusing on practical grammar rules rather than overwhelming learners with too much theory. This approach helps learners understand how grammar works in real-life contexts, which is particularly useful for beginners or people who don’t like being bombarded with grammar explanations.
Every seventh lesson is a review lesson, which revisits the grammar, vocabulary, and expressions introduced in the previous six lessons. These reviews sometimes include a translation dialogue to reinforce learning and ensure retention. This structure, consistent across all Assimil courses provides a steady progression while giving learners regular opportunities to consolidate their knowledge.
Cultural Notes
The cultural notes in Assimil Italian are like little windows into Italian culture – they’re short, engaging, and brimming with fun insights into everyday Italian life. They clue you in on how Italians celebrate name days, why the Trevi Fountain is such a big deal, and even how the school system works. They also explain why getting a spur-of-the-moment dinner invite is perfectly normal (though it might rattle someone from Germany!). You’ll pick up the occasional historical gem too, like how lavish Veneto villas evolved from humble farmhouses into luxurious party venues for the wealthy.
That said, these notes only skim the surface enough to pique your interest, but not enough to truly immerse you in Italian culture. To fully embrace and learn Italian culture you’ll need to branch out: watch Italian films, read books, or if you’re able to, visit Italy in person. Nevertheless, these cultural snippets serve as an excellent starting point, making the language more relatable and the learning process more immersive and interesting.
Audio
The course includes 3 hours and 30 minutes of excellent-quality audio, true to Assimil’s standards. The recordings feature native Italian speakers who start at a slower pace, making it easier for beginners to follow along, and gradually increase to a natural, conversational speed as the course progresses. This approach helps learners build confidence in their listening and speaking skills over time. The audio is a key strength of the course, providing learners with the tools to develop their listening comprehension and speaking abilities effectively. However, while the audio is comprehensive, those seeking additional practice might benefit from supplementing with Italian podcasts, music, or other media to further immerse themselves in the language.
To give you a taste of the lesson progression, samples from Lesson 1, Lesson 50, and Lesson 100 are available. These samples showcase how the pacing and complexity evolve, from simple, slow-paced conversations to more natural, fluent dialogue.
Pricing
Since Assimil Italian is one of the older courses in the Assimil range, its pricing options differ slightly from newer titles. The Super Pack is the best value for money (if you can find it), as it includes the textbook, four audio CDs, and one MP3 CD, providing a complete learning package. Alternatively, you can purchase the book separately if you prefer.
As mentioned earlier, the English version of Assimil Italian is no longer available directly from the Assimil website. This could be due to the course being phased out, updated, or potentially replaced with a new edition in the future, especially since a recent French edition (L’italien, 2021) has been released. For now, your best option is to search for second-hand copies through online marketplaces or local bookshops.
Below, I’ve listed approximate prices in USD as a general guide. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on whether the item is new or used, the seller, and the current exchange rate. Use these figures to ensure you’re getting a fair deal, especially when buying second-hand.
Book: $29.90
Superpack = Book + Audio CDs + Audio download: $83.50
Older edition book 2011 – Hilal adapted edition: around $39 used
E-course: $52
Assimil French |
Price: see links |
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THE GOOD
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THE BAD
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SUMMARY
Assimil Italian offers a well-structured, beginner-friendly approach to language learning, with contextual dialogues, high-quality audio, and a bilingual format that makes grammar accessible. Its progressive difficulty and clear explanations are standout features. However, the course has some drawbacks, including outdated content, unrealistic B2 claims, repetitive exercises, and limited speaking practice. Additionally, the English version is hard to find, which is annoying. While it’s an excellent resource for building a solid foundation, reaching higher proficiency levels will likely require supplementary materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Assimil Italian stands out as a strong contender among beginner-friendly language courses, offering a well-structured progression of dialogues and exercises that steadily build foundational skills. While the active phase can feel repetitive at times, and some translations may occasionally be ambiguous, the course excels in its thorough coverage of grammar, consistent vocabulary reinforcement, and ability to develop practical language proficiency. Realistically, most learners will likely reach an A2/B1 level by the end of the course falling short of the advertised B2 (classic marketing) and will need supplementary resources to advance further. However, for those seeking a self-contained program to establish a solid foundation in Italian, Assimil remains an excellent choice.
That said, it’s worth noting that the English version of Assimil Italian is no longer available for purchase directly from Assimil. I would love to see the 2021 edition of L’italien translated and adapted into English. Despite its imperfections and availability challenges, Assimil Italian is a comprehensive and engaging option for anyone embarking on their Italian language journey, earning a solid 4/5 in my evaluation.
If you want to learn more about how to use Assimil then check out how to use Assimil
Assimil French |
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THE GOOD
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THE BAD
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SUMMARY
Assimil Italian offers a well-structured, beginner-friendly approach to language learning, with contextual dialogues, high-quality audio, and a bilingual format that makes grammar accessible. Its progressive difficulty and clear explanations are standout features. However, the course has some drawbacks, including outdated content, unrealistic B2 claims, repetitive exercises, and limited speaking practice. Additionally, the English version is hard to find, which is annoying. While it’s an excellent resource for building a solid foundation, reaching higher proficiency levels will likely require supplementary materials.