This module is designed to enable students to develop the transferable skills of translating from and into the Italian language efficiently; interpreting formal and informal texts between the Italian and English; presenting, in writing, an extended, logical argument, summarising other points of view, assessing and evaluating evidence and reaching personal conclusions and syntheses; demonstrating competence in other writing skills; and operating and presenting arguments effectively in Italian through the use of monologue, dialogue and group discussion. Students will be able to manipulate information from spoken and written texts in the Italian language

This module will also involve mediating skills between the languages through the use of all or any of the following: translation from and into English of passages drawn from a range of journalistic, literary and other sources which will help to practice the corresponding grammar points studied in the class; summaries of English texts in Italian or similar activities. These exercises will focus on key translation issues (e.g., register, tone, style), identify techniques for overcoming linguistic problems encountered in translation, and enable students to expand their vocabulary in core areas covered in translation classes.

While part of any class is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation. Students will be required to prepare materials in advance of classes and will be expected to actively take part in discussions and in-class.

For Erasmus students, this course corresponds to a B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

1. Read and understand the Italian language to a level comparable with B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
2. Engage confidently and with appropriate grammatical correctness and spontaneity in everyday conversation in the target language. This includes explaining a viewpoint and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of topical issues relating to target language culture and society.
3. Write coherent texts in a range of registers on a wide range of topics relating to target language culture and society with appropriate grammatical and lexical accuracy.
4. Extract and synthesis data and ideas from a range of authentic written and audio/audio-visual texts.

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

Independent Learning:

You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying and participating in in individual and collaborative activities outside the live sessions.

Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help students develop their expertise as independent language learners. Students will be asked to consolidate their language learning by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the target language. You will also be expected to prepare and complete exercises and activities online, to complete written, listening and oral tasks and to engage with tutors and peers through discussion boards and forums.  Over the course of the semester you will begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

1. An understanding of the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise their learning with guidance with the tutor
2. A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
3. The skills to be effective, independent and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate
4. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
5. Enhanced analytical skills
6. Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own
7. Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction – both in an online environment and face-to-face
8. Awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation
9. Understanding and appreciation of key translation problems and techniques for overcoming these.
10. Enhanced digital literacy skills including the ability to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
11. The ability to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

Mapping of Assessments to Intended Learning Outcomes

Video Comprehension: assesses LO 4

Essay: assesses LO 3

Portfolio: assesses LOs 1-2

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students who fail the overall module will be given the opportunity to submit a portfolio for 100% of the module.

The maximum grade awarded for this portfolio is 40%.

The course will focus on:

Grammatical structures (passato remoto, gerundio, periodo ipotetico, verbi con costruzione indiretta, discorso indiretto, passivo, formazione delle parole), reading and commenting (books, articles), watching (films, videos), translation, vocabulary (dal dottore, all’agenzia immobiliare, al colloquio di lavoro...) and idioms.  

Some themes covered: stereotipi sugli italiani, la costituzione italiana, località italiane, gli italiani e il lavoro, la vita degli studenti all’estero, l'italiano nel gergo giovanile, l’università italiana.