- UCAS course code
- NR13
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Italian Language 3
Unit code | ITAL51030 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This is a course unit for intermediate students who possess an A-Level qualification or equivalent competence in Italian. It aims to revise, consolidate and extend students’ prior knowledge of Italian through a structured programme of taught classes and assessed coursework with a strong focus on a programme of independent language learning made available through Blackboard. The course also comprises discussions and on-line surgeries as well as a complementary series of oral classes to enhance listening and speaking skills as part of the preparation for the period of compulsory residence in Italy.
Pre/co-requisites
Pre-requisite: ITAL51022, A-Level in Italian or equivalent competency in the language
Aims
Through this course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a sound understanding of the aspects of Italian grammar covered in class;
- write compositions and summaries in Italian of Italian texts of an appropriate level of difficulty;
- demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the sounds and structures of Italian;
- reflect upon and improve their language-learning capabilities;
- use spoken Italian to cope with real-life situations and to discuss a variety of topics;
- take responsibility for their own learning of Italian;
- make use of the resources of the Language Centre, of the Internet and of the Blackboard virtual learning environment
Syllabus
A booklet with a detailed week-by-week language programme for the course will be distributed at the start of the academic year during week 1 of each term.
Students will also be expected to buy the following core text for the course:
Gruppo Italiaidea, New Italian Espresso (Intermediate/Advanced), Florence: Alma Edizioni, 2021
Knowledge and understanding
The course will develop:
- An active knowledge of the topics covered in the grammar classes
- An active knowledge of Italian grammar and basic awareness of the different registers of language
- The ability to communicate with a degree of confidence and accuracy in written and spoken Italian, in a variety of real-life situations
- Knowledge of aspects of the culture, communities and languages of Italy
- An awareness of, and responsiveness to, the nature and extent of cultural diversity
- An active knowledge of Italian linguistic diversity and some key linguistic features of the language
Intellectual skills
This course develops abilities to:
- Use language creatively and precisely for purposes and audiences at an intermediate level
- Extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources
- Organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured argument
- Engage in critical and analytical thinking
Practical skills
These include:
- Use and present material in the target language in written and oral forms in a clear and effective manner
- Ability to manage own learning
- Use target language source materials appropriately
- Access electronic resources and use information and communication technologies (ICT) appropriately, including the Internet and Blackboard
Transferable skills and personal qualities
These include:
- Communication and presentation skills: oral, written and IT
- The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
- Mediating skills and qualities of empathy
- Self-reliance and adaptability
- Intercultural awareness
- Autonomy and independence
- Time management skills
Employability skills
- Other
- Communication skills are developed through individual presentations and teamwork; self-management skills are promoted through independent work and the production of a portfolio of language activities, and IT skills through web and computer assisted language learning. Finally, creative skills are fostered through creative writing and a task-orientated approach.
Assessment methods
Semester 1
Assessment task | Formative or Summative | Weighting within unit |
One piece of ACW (reading & writing) | Summative | 10% |
Oral presentations | Summative | 10% |
Linguistics exercise | Formative | N/A |
Weekly take-home activities | Formative | N/A |
Semester 2
Assessment task | Formative or Summative | Weighting within unit |
Weekly take-home activities | Formative | N/A |
One piece of ACW (listening & writing) | Summative | 10% |
Linguistics exercise | Summative | 10% |
An Oral examination | Summative | 15% |
A written examination with a grammar section | Summative | 45% |
Feedback methods
Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
Individual written feedback on completed and marked assignments plus face-to-face discussion if desired. | Both |
In-class comments on homework, presentations and other exercises. | Formative |
After each of the scheduled assignments, global feedback on frequent errors or omissions to identify problem areas and allow questions and discussion (delivered orally in class/posted to blackboard/as a handout). | Both |
Recommended reading
CORE: Racconti italiani / Italian Short Stories, Parallel Text, ed. N. Roberts, (Penguin: 1999)
RECOMMENDED: A. Proudfoot and F. Cardo, Modern Italian Grammar: A Practical Guide (London: Routledge, 2012, 3rd Edition)
S. Adorni and K. Primorac, English Grammar for Students of Italian (London: Arnold, 1995)
M. Fernandez-Toro and F. Jones, DIY Techniques for Language Learners (London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, 2001)
S. Nocchi, Gnuova grammatica pratica della lingua italiana (Firenze, Alma, 2015 2009)
Dizionario inglese-italiano, italiano-inglese, 3rd ed. (Turin: Paravia and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010, ebook 2001)
De Mauro, T., Dizionario della lingua italiana (Turin: Paravia, 2000)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 22 |
Seminars | 22 |
Tutorials | 44 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 112 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Monica Boria | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
In order to meet the learning outcomes students are required to engage in regular independent language learning devoting an average of 3 hours per week to work on the various language skills.
Free Choice only in agreement with Programme Director for Italian and Language Tutor