EU8296: Italian Language (Ex-Beginners)

School null
Department Code null
Module Code EU8296
External Subject Code R310
Number of Credits 20
Level L5
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Giuseppe Vatalaro
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

This stage builds upon the linguistic knowledge acquired in Year 1. It covers topics relating to aspects of Italian culture. It also deals with topics of contemporary relevance, such as, indicatively, social and cultural issues, and with contemporary varieties of the language. For this purpose students will also engage with critical presentations on novels, short-stories and authors; comparative analyses of texts belonging to various historical periods and genres; translations of texts chosen among a wide range of registers, and through the scrutiny of various translation strategies. 

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Understand most spoken discourse, recognise regional variation (indicatively, vocabulary, accent) and understand the significance and appropriateness of different spoken registers.
  • Keep up with and participate in discussion and conversation on familiar and complex topics and present similar topics, with reasonable effectiveness and precision.
  • Understand some complex factual, literary and persuasive material and some specialised texts and read longer texts, extracting main points and/or detail.
  • Transfer information from spoken and written TL texts into English, indicatively, through translation, summary and commentary, and do the same from English into the TL.
  • Write clearly in a variety of styles and registers with fluency and accuracy.
  • Academic and key skills developed include learning, research and organisational skills; communication and IT skills; intercultural awareness and interpersonal skills.

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered via language seminars.

Skills that will be practised and developed

·         Research and organisational skills.

·         Communication and IT skills.
 
·         Intercultural awareness and interpersonal skills.

How the module will be assessed

Continuous assessment

40

Oral assessment

20

Examination (2 hrs)

40

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Presentation 10 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Presentation) N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 40 Italian Language Ex-Beginners 2
Class Test 5 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Grammar Test 1) N/A
Class Test 5 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Grammar Test 2) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Translation 1) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Translation 2) N/A
Written Assessment 10 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Writing Composition 1) N/A
Written Assessment 10 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Writing Composition 2) N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 10 Italian Language Ex-Beginners (Oral) N/A

Syllabus content

The content of the syllabus will focus on the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of the language and also on the cultural context in which it is used. While part of any class is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation. Students are expected to take part actively in discussion and in tasks like small group and in-pair work, role play, and individual or group presentations. The target language will be used consistently in teaching.

Essential Reading and Resource List

 The core text is Parlo italiano! prepared by Dr Giuseppe Vatalaro.

 During both semesters students will be asked to read and listen to various materials as indicated in the course-kit.


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