Hi!:)

When you study a foreign language, I think it's always good to have a good teacher. You might think that since it's just basic Italian, you can study on your own, and sometimes it works. However I think that the pronounciation is one of the most important elements when studying a foreign language and the only person who can help you and correct you with that is a native speaker, not a computer or a book. 

On the other hand, if your purpose is just learning some basic sentences to write, a book can be useful. However, once you learn a new word or a new sentence, you may need to practice how to use it, in what contexts you can use it and in what contexts you have to use another word, whether it's formal or not and other nuances that a coursebook or a computer cannot tell you.

Hello elanvital

The teacher's help is very important....You can surfing on internet, buying a coursebook, studing by alone but through the lessons with the teacher, you will are able to create correct sentences and at the same time to understand when using one verb and when another....you haven't to underestimate her help.... 

I never had official Italian course. I learn Italian in my own. Fortunately,I think Italian is not too difficult to learn, not like Russian.

If you had problem with the pronouncation, you can download then listening podcast in http://www.learnitalianpod.com/

or you can learn from a native through skype.

well, it's  my opinion :)