Level:

Entry requirements: 3-5 years of prior study in Italian, or successful completion of Italian 2/Italian beginners accelerated.

Students with a good grade (minimum A) in GCSE can enter this level if they are motivated and/or wish to progress to B1+/B2 in CEFR over two years (by studying Italian 3 with Italian 4 in the following year or by studying Italian intermediate accelerated), in order to study or work in Italy.

Main Objectives:

These modules are designed to help to prepare students to participate more actively in work, study and social contexts in Italian-speaking countries and to begin to read texts of various registers.

Credits:

30 CREDITS, also available for 24 CREDITS.

Teaching:

One 2-hour language class each week for 21 weeks.

Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 240 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle (a virtual learning environment) to facilitate this.

Tutors:

Laura Mantovani

Course Text-books (must be bought by student):

• Nuovo Espresso 3, book + DVD ROM . Alma Edizioni. ISBN: 9788861823389
• NEW ITALIAN GRAMMAR IN PRACTICE, S. Nocchi, ALMA Edizioni, ISBN: 9788861824287

These books can be purchased from the University Bookshop, telephone: (024) 7652 3388.

English-Italian Dictionary recommended.

Course Description

The primary aim of these modules is to enable students to communicate effectively at a reasonable level in everyday, predictable situations likely to be met in work or study situations in Italy.

Equally important aims are to help students acquire confidence in using Italian, with due regard to accuracy of grammar and syntax and to familiarise them with essential reading techniques that will support further independent study of the written language.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• apply a basic knowledge of grammar appropriate to the level
• apply strategies for understanding gist, specific information, and opinions
• deal with most situations likely to arise when travelling
• understand the main points on familiar matters regularly encountered
• understand texts dealing with descriptions of events and feelings, and with work-related language

• enter unprepared into conversation, and describe experiences and events and give reasons for opinions
• produce text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest

By the end of the course, students should be able to perform many tasks at Level B1 Independent user (threshold) of the Common European Framework.