Module LZI-2040:
Italian Language 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.

40 Credits or 20 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Silvia Bergamini

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To consolidate and expand on students' knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary.
  2. To develop translation skills into and out of the target language, and skills in manipulation of written Italian.
  3. To develop oral and aural skills.
  4. To familiarise students with lexis relevant to their forthcoming residence abroad, and other sociocultural contexts.

Students on this module will be working towards achieving B2/C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course content

This course intends to consolidate and expand the students' knowledge of grammar and vocabulary through exposure to a variety of texts ranging from newspaper articles to literary extracts, differing in register and style (to include very colloquial and very formal examples). Oral and aural skills will also be emphasised through special classes in which students watch/listen to extracts from films/TV or radio programmes and are encouraged to discuss and analyse their content. Students will also study materials that provide insight into Italian civilisation in the target language.

Key Text: De Rome, Denise, Soluzioni: A Practical Grammar of Contemporary Italian, (London&New York: Routledge, 2010).

Webpages: www.rainews.it www.repubblica.it

Any other learning resources: Writing classes dossier; Self-study portfolio.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: Limited knowledge of grammar and vocabulary resulting in a limited ability to translate the prescribed texts, to write reports and to comment on issues relating to Italian culture and society. Limited oral/aural competence.

good

50-69%: Good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary resulting in a good ability to translate the prescribed texts, to write reports and to comment on issues relating to Italian culture and society. Good oral/aural competence.

excellent

70+%: Excellent knowledge of grammar and vocabulary resulting in a excellent ability to translate the prescribed texts, to write reports and to comment on issues relating to Italian culture and society. Excellent oral/aural competence.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an increased ability in the art of paraphrasing and report writing.

  2. Make individual presentations and discuss competently a given topic as part of a team, and demonstrate an ability to comprehend a wide range of audio-visual material.

  3. Demonstrate an ability to translate texts competently, matching style and register to purpose.

  4. Demonstrate knowledge of various topics relating to Italian culture and society through the analysis and discussion of given texts.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
AURAL Listening comprehension 10
CLASS TEST In-class Translation into English/Welsh 10
CLASS TEST In-class Translation into Italian 10
ESSAY Essay/Written assignment 10
COURSEWORK Article Summary 10
EXAM 2 hour written exam 25
ORAL Oral exam 25

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study 334
Seminar

1 hour x grammar per week for 11 weeks per semester 1 hour x writing skills per week for 11 weeks per semester 1 hour x conversation skills per week for 11 weeks per semester

 66

Transferable skills

  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • 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

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: