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Italian Language for Beginners

Module description

This module covers the essentials of the Italian language in a dynamic and up to date fashion. You will follow a structured programme involving both individual learning and working with others in small groups, drawing on previous experiences of language learning to develop a better awareness of the range of learning strategies available, and of which work best for you. The sessions will be conducted in the target language from the start in order to encourage you to become familiarised with the language and immerse yourself as much as possible in the learning process.

Module aims - intentions of the module

 This intensive language module aims to elevate beginners and GCSE entrants to A-level standard or beyond by the start of the second year of study. The module includes writing activities, comprehension and in-context grammar exercises, and oral practice with native speakers.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Show a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Italian
• 2. Read a straightforward narrative or descriptive text in Italian and summarise contents in English
• 3. Use a reference grammar and a bilingual dictionary to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing in Italian
• 4. Elicit, understand and communicate basic factual information in Italian, orally and in writing
• 5. Attempt straightforward translation exercises out of the target language
• 6. Write letters and other short texts in Italian, on a limited range of practical and descriptive themes

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Understand the principles of learning a new modern language intensively, and organise your own learning with guidance from tutors
• 8. Use available learning aids, in a variety of media, to consolidate your own learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Communicate at a basic level in Italian
• 10. Express and discuss views as part of a group
• 11. Work in groups at solving basic linguistic tasks

Syllabus plan

In this course, you will cover all the essential points of Italian language and culture to develop your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, in line with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) descriptors (A1-A2), and to deepen your intercultural understanding of the country. You will work both individually and in small groups. The emphasis is on creating a supportive, student-centred, environment, where the teacher acts as a facilitator of your learning process.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Please refer to the ELE page of the module for further instructions on the textbook needed for this course.

Optional readings:

• Obiettivo Grammatica 1 (A1-A2): Teoria, esercizi e test di lingua italiana, ed. by Eleonora Fragai, Ivana Fratter, Elisabetta Jafrancesco, Ornimi Edizioni 2021, ISBN: 978-618-5554-01-9.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Please refer to the ELE page of the module.

Key words search

Italian, beginners