Module LZI-1003:
Italian for Beginners I

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

  1. To acquire an understanding of Italian basic grammar.
  2. To develop a competence in listening to and comprehending Italian in basic communicative contexts.
  3. Acquire and develop basic oral skills in Italian.
  4. To enable students to read, understand and create basic texts in Italian and to develop vocabulary acquisition.

Students on this module will be working towards achieving B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Course content

This is a module running in semester 1 aimed at absolute beginners. This module intends to make students become familiar with the basic structures of the language in order to enable them to express themselves, both orally and in writing, on very simple topics related to everyday life situations. The textbook adopted for this course is New Italian Espresso (Alma Edizioni). This particular text has been selected for its communicative approach to language teaching which, in conjunction with a more traditional approach to grammar, allows students to speed up their progress in all the four essential language learning skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Key Texts (valid also for LZI1004 in Semester 2):

New Italian Espresso, Alma Edizioni, Textbook + DVD, (2014). New Italian Espresso, Workbook (2014)

Students are also strongly encouraged to have their own dictionary, Collins and Oxford are recommended. Any other learning resources: Lingu exercises

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: A limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a limited ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Basic oral and aural competence.

good

50-69%: A good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a good ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Good oral and aural competence.

excellent

70+%: An excellent knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an excellent ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Excellent oral and aural competence.

Learning outcomes

  1. Listening: obtain information about predictable day-to-day activities by listening to simple TL (= target language) sources; follow simple instructions and directions; progress to being able to obtain information about routine and some non-routine activities by listening to the TL.

  2. Speaking: deal orally with predictable day-to-day activities in both formal and informal registers; ask for and provide basic information; progress to be able to deal orally with daily activities in the TL.

  3. Reading: obtain information about predictable day-to-day activities from printed TL sources; obtain information from simple texts; obtain specific information from familiar written sources.

  4. Writing: produce written information to deal with predictable day-to-day activities; construct simple texts using set phrases and structures; produce notes and short messages to fulfil everyday requirements.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Assignment 20
Test 20
Oral Exam 20
Written Exam 40

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
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
Lecture

2 weekly grammar lectures and 2 weekly conversation classes for 1 weeks

 44

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

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: