Module details
- Offered to all undergraduates
- Monday, Tuesday or Thursday 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
A communicative module for students with some prior knowledge of the Italian language and culture of Italy.
This module aims to:
- Develop further all the basic language skills, i.e. reading, writing, listening and speaking
- Revise and consolidate basic grammar
- Introduce more complex grammatical structures and extend vocabulary
- Gain further insights into culture and daily life in Italy
By the end of the module, students should have reached approximately the A2+ standard of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following:
- Successfully completed Italian Level 1
- Gained an Italian GCSE qualification
- Already achieved A1+ or equivalent on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Respond to and produce a range of spoken language in familiar contexts
- Respond to and produce a range of spoken and written texts and express your own opinions
- Demonstrate intercultural competence and intercultural awareness in the handling of routine social interactions in Italian
- Engage with a basic range of digital language-learning tools to support your use of Italian
This module will provide you with a thorough revision of all the basic structures of the language you have learned so far, as well as a wide range of new vocabulary. You will have the opportunity to develop further the fundamental language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in Italian and be equipped with the necessary tools for independent language learning. It will also prepare you to progress to higher language levels.
In this module, you will cover and revise the following linguistic structures:
- Articles and gender of the noun and pronoun
- Present, future, conditional, present perfect and imperfect tenses of the verb
- Use of prepositions
- Use of adjectives
- Combined prepositions, possessive and comparative forms
This module will also offer you insight into Italian cultural and daily life, such as:
- Leisure activities
- Communications
- Health issues and lifestyles
- Cinema
- Literature and topical issues relevant to Italian society today
In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These include: pair work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and group work; individual tasks, discovery and formulation of rules; critical evaluation of texts, audio and video material. Weekly homework tasks and coursework give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills, using self-help platforms. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks, but also supports different learning styles.
Both pieces of coursework are marked and returned within two weeks. Detailed feedback is provided for each individual section of the coursework, giving the correct answer(s) along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the number of points out of a maximum total, an overall percentage grade is given. Generic feedback on each individual piece of coursework is also provided in class.
- Coursework (25%): Reading comprehension/ grammar exercises/ composition (200 words).
- Examination (10%): In-class test/ reading or listening comprehension/ composition (220 words).
- Coursework (20%): Reading or listening comprehension/ grammar exercises/ composition (230 words).
- Examination (20%): Reading comprehension or grammar/ composition (250 words).
- Practical (25%): Oral exam: self-presentation and questions on a prepared subject. (10-12 minutes).
Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad
- 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
- Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
- You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.
Coursebook
Title: Nuovo Espresso : Libro studente 2
ISBN: 9788861823211
Publisher: Alma Edizioni
Publication Date: 2014
NB The Italian Bookshop offers a 10% discount to Imperial Horizons students.
"Well-taught module with interactive classes."
" The small group size resulted in a great learning environment as the teaching was very personal."
Italian advice
Cristina Paterno
m.paterno@imperial.ac.uk
0207 594 8767
Room S307, Sherfield level 3
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication