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Module LZI-1001:
Advanced Italian 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Silvia Bergamini

Overall aims and purpose

To develop students' translation and reading comprehension skills through the study of texts varying in style and register. To enable students to produce competent pieces of writing in Italian. To develop students' oral and aural skills through conversation exercises and selected audio-visual materials varying in tone and register. To develop vocabulary acquisition and incorporate key expressions into oral and written work. To develop a more complex understanding of key grammatical structures and an ability to use grammatical constructions in written and oral expression. To discuss and defend arguments and ideas in group and one-to-one discussions. To understand key aspects informing contemporary Italian identities. Students on this module will be working towards achieving B1+/B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course content

This module enables post A-level students to develop written and oral communicative skills in Italian by extending linguistic competence acquired at A-level. It comprises text-based classes in which students have the opportunity to develop translation and writing skills, as well as oral/aural classes, in which a range of audio and visual aids are employed to stimulate group discussions and debates. Throughout the module, students also have the opportunity to revise and consolidate key areas of grammar. The texts and materials used in this module are chosen from a range of sources including the set textbook, as well as the media and literary works in order to familiarise students with variations in tone and register. Through these materials, students will also gain an insight into particular Italian themes and issues that relate to contemporary life and society in the Italian-speaking world. Learning outside of the classroom is supported through a co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: Limited knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary resulting in a limited ability to communicate in writing or translate from Italian-English and Italian-English. Basic understanding of aural and written material in Italian. Basic grasp of Italian pronunciation and limited ability to converse freely in Italian and respond to spoken material. Limited ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Italian.

good

50-69%: Good knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary resulting in a good ability to communicate in writing or translate from Italian-English and English-Italian. Good understanding of aural and written material in Italian. Good grasp of Italian pronunciation and some ability to converse freely in Italian and respond to spoken material. Ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Italian

excellent

70+%: Excellent knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary resulting in an excellent ability to communicate in writing or translate from Italian-English and English-Italian Excellent understanding of aural and written material in Italian. Excellent grasp of Italian pronunciation and clear ability to converse freely in Italian and respond to spoken material. Clear ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Italian.

Learning outcomes

  1. Engage with Italian language in spoken form, understanding, reacting and responding to it in an interactive context.

  2. Apply new areas of vocabulary to written and oral work.

  3. Produce accurate and idiomatically correct written Italian.

  4. Employ key grammatical structures in written and oral work.

  5. Explore and evaluate some of the key themes and debates dominating contemporary Italian culture.

  6. Understand and translate written texts varying in style and register.

  7. Demonstrate an ability to extract and use information presented in Italian-language sources to answer questions in the target language.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Creative Writing Exercise

An extended piece of writing in Italian(ca. 500 words), which responds to a given text (e.g. an opinion piece, a letter, a piece of creative writing).

 25
EXAM Written exam (2 hours)

2 hour exam structured in two parts: 1) Italian-English translation (ca. 200-250 words). 2) Translation of a set of 10 English sentences into Italian, designed to test grammatical structures.

 50
LOGBOOK OR PORTFOLIO Self-Study Portfolio

The aim of this self-study portfolio is to help you build in regular language work as part of your daily routine. You will have the opportunity to discuss this work with a member of staff at the end of semester 2. Each week, you must fill in the relevant checklist item with details of the language-related work that you have carried out that week. There are four separate types of portfolio tasks that you will be required to complete.

 0
ORAL Oral Discussion

A one-to-one oral discussion of one of a selection of video/audio files (which will be seen/heard in advance), followed by Q&A on the Self-Study Portfolio

 25

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

Seminars - 4 hours per week for 11 weeks per semester

 44
Private study

Private study enables consolidation of vocabulary acquisition, grammatical structures as well as oral/aural techniques. On top of regular homework exercises, the Self-Study Portfolio provides a structured approach to private study.

 156

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Studying the countries or regions where the target language is used, including aspects of their literatures, cultures, linguistic contexts, history, politics, geography and social or economic structures. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
  • Sensitivity to and analysis of grammar and syntax in the target language, as well as morphology and phonology.
  • The ability to develop independent study skills, such as making effective use of notes. (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • The ability to write an analytical film and/or book review in the target language.
  • The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Engaging with, interpreting and critically evaluating short and longer contemporary texts (short stories, films, novels) in the target language (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • Effective oral communication and presentation skills (including delivery and argument development, discussion and defence) in the target language through individual and/or group discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Develop aural comprehension skills in the target language, supported by a wide range of appropriate materials in different media. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to read, understand and summarise written texts in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 1. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • 2. The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 3. Engaging with, interpreting and critically evaluating short and longer contemporary texts (short stories, films, novels) in the target language (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • 4. Effective oral communication and presentation skills (including delivery and argument development, discussion and defence) in the target language through individual and/or group discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.14)
  • 5. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 6. Develop aural comprehension skills in the target language, supported by a wide range of appropriate materials in different media. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 7. The ability to read, understand and summarise written texts in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: