Not only does Parliamo Italiano provide students learning Italian with a strong ground in the four ACTFL skills - reading, writing, speaking, and listening - but it also emphasises cultural fluency. The text follows a more visual approach by integrating maps, photos, realia, and cultural notes that offer a vibrant image of Italy. The chapters are organised around functions and activities. Cultural information has been updated to make the material more relevant. In addition, discussions on functional communications give readers early success in the language and encourage them to use it in practical situations.