Anna Proudfoot was born in Scotland but spent large parts of her life in Italy. After graduating from London University, she taught Italian in adult, higher and further education, in Cambridge, London, California, and Oxford. She is Senior Lecturer in Italian at Oxford Brookes University. Her special interests are in developing materials for the adult learner. She is the author of several Italian language books and grammars, including Italian Grammar (Hodder 3rd edition 2003) and Routledge Intensive Italian course (2004). In 2007, she was awareded one of Italy's highest honours for her contribution to Italian culture and language: the Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity).

Franco Cardo was born in Naples in 1951 and graduated in Philosophy at the University of Milan in 1976. From 1980 on, he taught Italian in various countries including China, the Republic of Korea and Britain, on an Italian Government programme designed to promote the teaching of Italian in foreign Universities. His work included teaching and the production of teaching materials, as well as the management and promotion of language and cultural exchanges. From 1989 to 1994 he taught at Oxford Brookes University, and coordinated the setting up of the Italian language teaching programme at the Italian Institute in London.

Introduction How to use this book Glossary Part A Structures Part B Functions Appendix I: Spelling and pronunciation Appendix II: Regular verb forms Appendix III: Irregular verb forms Appendix IV: Verbs and prepositions Appendix V: Sequence of tenses Index