This is an intensive beginner’s language programme. The course is designed to enable students with no previous knowledge of the language to reach a level of intermediate proficiency by the end of the year, and to build towards the use of the language at a high level. Study focuses on the four major language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – through classwork exercises and written work, use of video and audio material, and interaction with native speakers (including Erasmus students hosted by the department).

1. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise their learning with guidance with the tutor
2. Read, understand and speak the target language to at least the level of A2 Common European Framework
3. Have gained confidence in their ability to express themselves in speech and writing in everyday matters in the target language
4. Engage with appropriate grammatical correctness and some spontaneity in conversations relating to everyday topics
5. Write coherent texts in a limited range of registers on everyday topics
6. Extract data and ideas from a range of written texts
7. Have extended and refined vocabulary and skills by engaging with the Independent Learning Portfolio
8. Be able to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
9. To be able to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

Teaching, learning and assessment are designed to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes described above. While part of any class session is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation and students will be expected to take part actively in discussions and in tasks such as small group and pair work, role play, and individual or group presentation.

There will be 4 hours of language seminars per week.

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying outside the class. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your class work 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 exercises and activities for the class, to write assignments and generally begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. Independent Learning logbooks will be provided on Learning Central to help structure your language learning outside class time.

1. Subject-specific language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in the target language at the appropriate level
2. The ability to use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences
3. The abilities to extract and synthesize key information from written, spoken and other sources
4. A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
5. The skills to be effective, independent  and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
6. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
7. Skills in intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own
8. Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction
9. Enhanced digital literacy skills

Coursework - e-learning portfolio. Ongoing over 2 semesters - 10%

Class test - semester 1 - 20%

Coursework - oral assessment (presentations in pairs) - semester 1 - 10%

Coursework - Translation into English - semester 1 - 10%

Coursework - Composition - semester 2 - 10%

Class test - oral class test - semester 2 - 10%

2 hour written examination - Spring exam period - 30%

The opportunity for reassessment in this module -  

At the end of semester 2, students who gain an overall pass in the module will not be required to re-sit any failed components.

If no overall pass is attained, students will submit a coursework portfolio in the August re-sit period.

The course will focus on:

Introducing the fundaments of grammar

Introducing sentence structures

Building a range of vocabulary relevant to daily life, as specified in the European Common Framework of Reference, level A2

Introducing different registers

Introducing the cultural contexts of the target cultures

Making the most of independent learning and learning technologies

• Matteo La Grassa, L’italiano all’università 1: corso di lingua per studenti stranieri A1-A2 (Edilingua)

Italian readers:

• Autumn semester: Valeria Blasi, Amore e cappuccino (Alma Edizioni, 2015)  http://www.italianbookshop.co.uk/italianbooks/9788861823686
• Spring semester: Maria Grazia di Bernardo, La collana longobarda (Cideb, 2010) http://www.italianbookshop.co.uk/italianbooks/9788853010407

Books can be purchased in Blackwell’s Bookstore or online 

Students are also expected to engage with the materials and resources included in the Independent Learning Portfolios on Learning Central

The following texts are recommended to complement contact time activities and for revision.

Dictionaries:

Dizionario della lingua italiana (Zanichelli or Treccani)

Oxford/Paravia Italian-English Dictionary

Recommended Online Dictionary: http://www.wordreference.com/ 

Students will be provided with coursekits containing indications of essential reading and materials that will be required in class.

Students are also expected to engage with the materials and resources included in the Independent Learning Portfolios on Learning Central