This module builds upon the linguistic knowledge acquired in Level 4 of the degree and provides a solid preparation for independent study during the compulsory period of study abroad in the third year.

This module is designed to enable you  to develop the transferable skills of translating from and into the Italian language efficiently; interpreting formal and informal texts between 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. This module also aims to prepare you thoroughly both linguistically and culturally for your period of study abroad. You will be able to manipulate information from spoken and written texts in the Italian language.

While part of any class is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation. You will be required to prepare materials in advance of classes and you will be expected to actively take part in discussions and in-class tasks like small group projects and presentations.

This course corresponds to a B1-B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

1. Read, understand and speak the Italian language to a level comparable with B1-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 Italian. This includes describing experiences, dreams, hopes and ambitions, offering opinions and outlining the advantages and disadvantages of various topics of personal interest and/or relating to Italian culture and society.
3. Write coherent Italian texts in a range of registers on a range of topics relating to Italian culture and society with appropriate grammatical and lexical accuracy.
4. Extract and synthesize data and ideas from a range of authentic written and/or audio/audio-visual texts
5. Translate passages of text from and into English, evidencing an enhanced capacity for dealing with linguistic problems encountered in translation.

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 individual and collaborative activities outside the live sessions. 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 language learning by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the Italian language. You will also be expected to prepare and complete exercises and activities online, to complete written, listening and oral tasks and, where appropriate, to engage with tutors and peers through discussion boards and forums. Over the course of the year 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 learners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
4. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
5. Cultural and linguistic awareness in preparation for the year abroad;
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. An awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation;
9. Enhanced analytical skills
10. An understanding and appreciation of key translation problems and techniques for overcoming these.
11. Enhanced digital literacy skills including the ability to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
12. The ability to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

The key language skills are receptive (reading and listening), production (speaking and writing), mediation (translation between two languages) and intercultural awareness. Developing these skills involves acquiring metalinguistic and lexical competence, i.e. studying the building blocks of the language including grammatical and lexical patterns and structures. All of these skills are assessed through continuous assessment over the course of the module which reflects the progressive and accumulative nature of language learning.

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.

OPPORTUNITY FOR RE-ASSESSMENT

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

MAPPING OF ASSESSMENTS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Video clip assesses ILO 1,2,3,4

Translation assesses ILO 1,4,5

Grammar test assesses ILO 1,4

Oral assesses ILO 3,4

Written exam assesses ILO 1,2,3,4

Whilst studying this module students will analyse and study topics related to the grammatical and lexical patterns of the Italian language, Italian grammar as well as Italian Culture. The topics for grammar activities will include but are not limited to, all tenses in the Indicative, Conditional, Subjunctive and Imperative moods, the use of relative pronouns, the comparison between adjectives and the use of adverbs. The module will also introduce students to the use of passive forms, hypothetical sentences and to a particular forms of Italian sentence constructions such as ‘Far fare’ and the use of the verbs ‘metterci’ and ‘volerci’. The topics and the vocabulary for the conversational aspect of the module will range from, Italian fashion, sport and free time activities, immigration and emigration, changes within the 21^st century Italian society, Italian cuisine, music, technologies, environment, as well as reading and analysing a novel and three short stories taken from Italian contemporary writers. All the topics are compulsory and will be part of the different assessments during the year.