Italian Language for Beginners

Module title	Italian Language for Beginners
Module code	MLI1052
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	30
Module staff	Dr Alessia Risi (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11	11

Module description

This module covers the essentials of the Italian language in a dynamic and up to date fashion. You will follow a structured programme involving both individual learning and working with others in small groups, drawing on previous experiences of language learning to develop a better awareness of the range of learning strategies available, and of which work best for you. The sessions will be conducted in the target language from the start in order to encourage you to become familiarised with the language and immerse yourself as much as possible in the learning process.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This intensive language module aims to bring beginner and GCSE entrants to A-level standard or beyond by the start of the second year of study. The module includes translation, essay writing, comprehension, grammar exercises, and oral practice with native speakers.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Show a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Italian
2. Read a straightforward narrative or descriptive text in Italian and summarise contents in English
3. Use a reference grammar and a bilingual dictionary to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing in Italian
4. Elicit, understand and communicate basic factual information in Italian, orally and in writing
5. Attempt straightforward translation exercises out of the target language
6. Write letters and other short texts in Italian, on a limited range of practical and descriptive themes

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

7. Understand the principles of learning a new modern language intensively, and organise your own learning with guidance from tutors
8. Use available learning aids, in a variety of media, to consolidate your own learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

9. Communicate at a basic level in Italian
10. Express and discuss views as part of a group
11. Work in groups at solving basic linguistic tasks

Syllabus plan

You work through the course book, New Italian Espresso, covering all essential points of Italian grammar and consolidating skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will work both individually and in small groups. The emphasis is on creating a supportive environment that is student centred where the teacher is a facilitator of the learning process.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
110	190	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	110	Learning the grammar and the pronunciation of Italian. Studying the vocabulary and developing oral and written comprehension skills
Guided Independent Study	190	Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Up to 6 formative tasks per year covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking, translation	Variable	1-7	Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	40	10

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Portfolio	50	As described on the ELE page	1-6	Written and oral feedback
Oral assessment	10	5 minute conversation	1-2, 5, 8-11	Written feedback
Written examination	40	2 hours	1-6	Written feedback
	0
	0
	0

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Portfolio	Portfolio	1-6	Referral/Deferral period
Oral assessment	Oral assessment	1-2, 5, 8-11	Referral/Deferral period
Written examination	Written examination	1-6	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

New Italian Espresso: beginner and pre-intermediate, Alma Edizioni (2014)
Schaum's Outline of Italian Grammar (McGraw-Hill; third edition)

Also recommended are:

J Colaneri, V Luciani, 501 Italian Verbs (2nd edition) (Barron's)
Collins English-Italian Italian-English Dictionary (Harper-Collins)
M.Maiden & C.Robustelli, A reference Grammar of Modern Italian (Arnold) I

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1398
Grammar exercises based on New Italian Espresso textbook available online: https://www.almaedizioni.it/it/minisiti/new-italian-espresso/new-italian-espresso-beginnerpreintermediate-tb/#esercizi-on-line

Key words search

Italian, beginners

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	2010
Last revision date	15/07/2020