I would recommend for forigners who wants to start living, working in Italy, take Italian classes in Scuola Leonardoda Vinci in Rome. Being witness to Italian culture,style of living for sure increase our language skills.

This is very true. While I have been learning Italian in a school, not being in Italy and not being immersed in its culture is a big disadvantage. Interacting with Italians on an everyday basis and walking the streets would make all the difference.

When I Lived In Italy It Started Making Sense.. I Have Tapes, Etc.. But One Thing That Helps Is Watching Italian Movies & Tv..
ANY OTHER IDEAS OUT THERE.

Definately a great way to start is by listening to Italian songs after you print the lyrics. There is a section on this website with some videos ( I like Battisti for example)
http://my.lifeinitaly.com/forumdisplay.php?f=57
Songs are easy because you can keep on repeating them.
Another way to improve is by watching Italian movies with subtitles but this will only help the advanced users.

It is true, earlier, the Italian movies with subtitles seemed like an ongoing stream of noise. But now that I have begun understanding all the tenses and am working at my vocabulary, e' piu' facile da capire. Non ho ancora una grande conscenza della lingua, pero' almeno posso scrivere un po' e capire il discorso se non sia troppo complicato.

I have discovered some excellent films in Italian with subtitles: Cinema Paradiso, and Ciao Professore ! There is also The Bicycle Thief, which I have not seen.

The main local library in my city allows users with a library card and a pin number to access The Rosetta Stone for free.

Pace,
Esther