Italian Beginners Fast-Track (FLI1230)

StaffMs Rossella Bongi - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level6
Pre-requisitesNo previous knowledge of the language is required, although it maybe suitable for re-starters in Italian. Students must be able to demonstrate a successful track record oflearning an/other modern foreign language/s, e.g. minimum pass atGCSE (A*-B) level in another MFL. Students will be expected to understand basic terminology forgrammatical structures. Incoming Erasmus students or students whose mother-tongue is arelated Romance language e.g. French, Portuguese or Spanish, arestrongly recommended to take this module.
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 12 weeks; Term 2: 12 weeks;

Module aims

The module aims to:  Provide students with a solid foundation of the basic grammatical structures of the target language thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in everyday situations across the four key language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing)  Enable participants to give and understand information and to achieve a confident elementary level of communicative competence in everyday situations  Provide an introduction to the customs, culture and society of the regions/countries in which the languages are spoken and to develop student awareness of the general social and cultural background of the language  Students who successfully complete this module would progress directly to Italian Intermediate 2 (FLI2315 / 2330)

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of basic grammatical structures of the target language
  • 2. Read and comprehend straightforward written and aural texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, study, leisure etc in the target language
  • 3. Communicate effectively on a broad range of general topics which are familiar or of personal interest, both orally and in writing, and produce short descriptive and narrative texts, formal and informal letters.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 4. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise his/her learning with guidance from the tutor.
  • 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate his/her learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 6. Make a presentation on a topic pertinent to everyday occurrences in his/her field and hold a conversation in the target language which may involve expressing opinions and making value judgements
  • 7. Work productively with others as part of a team, within a set structure
  • 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture

Syllabus plan

The course provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It covers the following grammar / topics: Grammar Nouns (masculine & feminine), Formal/informal registers, to be/to have, Nouns (singular & plural) /definite/indefinite articles/adjectives, Present indicative regular verbs/negative form/piacere, Adverbs of time, Present indicative irregular and reflexive verbs, Possessive adjectives/agreement with noun, Prepositions/prepositions + det. Article, C'/ci sono, irregular verbs, Preposition of place, Ci vuole/ci vogliono/modal verbs, Partitive/impersonal/more preposition + det. Article, Voglio vs vorrei, Stare+gerund, Passato prossimo with avere of regular verbs, Practice passato prossimo, Passato prossimo with essere/reflexives/piacere, Comparatives/ bene/ meglio, Future tense, Revision of present indicative of regular, irregular and reflexive verbs, Revision of passato prossimo, Imperfect indicative, Imperfect vs perfect/direct/indirect pronouns, Comparatives/superlatives, Imperative/definite pronouns, Present conditional of regular verbs, Present conditional of irregular verbs/modals, Structures requiring the infinitive, Verbs such as andarsene/provarci, Present subjunctive, Expressions requiring subjunctive/when not to use it,Past conditional Main Topics Alphabet/pronunciation/spelling, Greetings/introducing oneself/giving and asking for personal information, Time/parts of the day and meals/days of the week/months of the year, Ordering drinks and snacks, Talking about work, Telling and asking the time, Daily routine, Talking about family/describing people, Talking about home, Booking into a hotel, Finding a place/asking and giving directions, Means of transport, Shopping for food & clothes, Ordering in a restaurant, Talking about events in the past, Talking about health problems, Talking about holidays/future plans/weather, Exchanging information about daily activities, Cinema/the press/TV, The body/fitness and health, Buying a house, The environment, Free time/entertaining activities, The arts, Italian society, Work, Multicultural society.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
442560

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities44Language classes
Guided independent study256Preparation

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
304525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-Class Test 151hr 30m 1-6, 8 written
Coursework30 4 equally-weighted items in Terms 1 & 2. Some items done in class time, others outside class to be handed in to tutor. Covering a range of skills, including Listening, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Speaking2,4,5,8written
Oral Test 2510-12 minutes1,3-6, 8 written
Written Examination 301hr 30 1-6,8written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
In-Class Test In-Class Test 1-6, 8Referral/deferral period
CourseworkCoursework2,4,5,8Referral/deferral period
Oral Test Oral Test 1,3-6, 8 Referral/deferral period
Written Examination Written Examination 1-6,8Referral/deferral period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Carole Shepherd & Derek Aust, Amici, Students' Book, OUP Oxford (10 Jun 2004)

And Grammar: Mezzadri, Essential Italian Grammar in Practice - Book (English edition), August 2001

Recommended materials: A suitable bilingual dictionary, e.g. Collins Italian Dictionary

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2010

Last revision date

March 2012

Key words search

Fast track, italian, beginners