Piacere!

Elementary Italian at The University of Iowa.

Piacere! is an elementary Italian open-access textbook authorized by the Italian faculty of The University of Iowa (https://french-italian.uiowa.edu/ ). As its title suggests, Piacere! wants to introduce students to the language in an approachable way that welcomes their needs, interests and the everchanging world of language learning. A comprehensive and flexible e-textbook, this Open Education Resource aims to support students’ acquisition of the grammar and vocabulary that ensure meaningful communication as well as to enhance students’ familiarity with Italian culture.

Piacere! is divided into twenty-one units, which revolve around a specific theme, in order to facilitate a comprehensive learning and use of the language. Units include the following components:

• Grammar. The greatest challenge that students face when they begin to study Italian is to understand and use the grammatical structures that govern a romance language and are fundamental even for the most basic conversation. Detailed grammatical explanations, however, often overwhelm and disorient language learners. Piacere! supports students’ acquisition of Italian grammar through three steps: 1) it offers synthetic introductions and simplified charts which present information in a user-friendly format; 2) it provides examples of basic everyday conversations that fully contextualize grammatical structures; 3) it proposes interactive exercises which allow students to test their skills and receive immediate feedback.
• Vocabulary. Each unit presents a set of key vocabulary to contextualize the learning of grammar and culture according to a specific topic. To help students better master essential vocabulary, Piacere! integrates the learning tools offered by Quizlet.com. Users may choose the study mode that better suits their needs, and benefit from a variety of drill-and-practice activities.
• Conversations. Piacere! proposes conversation activities aimed to improve learners’ communication skills. Directions and suggestions are provided to guide students in the conversations and inspire confidence in those who often feel intimidated when speaking a foreign language.
• Readings. Readings help students internalize grammatical patterns and vocabulary while exploring Italian culture and society. The different texts are tailored to suit the needs of elementary students and are completed with interactive activities through which learners may self-assess their reading comprehension skills.

While in its organization the textbook is meant to offer the students with a flexible and approachable individual study experience, each component may be easily translated into classroom activities.

As an Open Education Resource, Piacere! is a useful tool for language teaching and learning. First, by replacing a commercial textbook, Piacere! guarantees significant cost savings for students, a cause to which the Italian program at the University of Iowa has always been committed. Secondly, by providing materials that can be accessed online, downloaded in pdf format, and integrated into the university Learning Management System, the book is a flexibly resource that responds to the different needs of a language course. Lastly, Piacere! is an easily adaptable artifact. Its contents have been tested in the classroom for four semesters and have been improved based on feedback from students. They will continue to be revised as constant updates are necessary to target the interests of 21st-century students and to ensure the book’s alignment with the changes of contemporary society.