LA621-4-AU-CO:
Intensive Initial Italian 1
2019/20
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Saturday 14 December 2019
15
25 April 2019
Requisites for this module
(none)
LA622
(none)
(none)
LA333, LA622, LA640
Italian Intensive Initial 1 is an interactive, intensive language module for which blended-learning strategies are used to allow fast-paced progress, through the Italian language and the Italian-speaking world. There is a dual focus on communicative and structural aspects of the language. Language learning is supported by an online-guided independent study program and extended by multimedia activities.
The module is designed for students with none or little knowledge of Italian. The aim of the module, in correlation with Italian Intensive Initial 2 in the Spring Term, is to enable students to attain a level of Italian equivalent to an A2 level by completing it with a summer course in Italy. Students will then reach an intermediate exit level B1 (equivalent to LA630); without attending the course in Italy the exit level will be elementary A2 (equivalent to LA620).
It is the compulsory path for those students with no knowledge of Italian who intend to take the study of the language to a Proficiency or Mastery level in their final year. This module can also be taken as an outside option.
The main aim of Intensive Initial Italian 1 is to help students acquire the basic linguistic skills needed to cope with a visit to Italy. By the end of the term, students should also have acquired some general background knowledge of particular aspects of life and culture in the present-day Italy.
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• devise/ take part in a dialogue in the context of a range of everyday situations;
• do a short, oral presentation in Italian;
• carry out listening and reading comprehension tasks;
• carry out various writing tasks (e.g. short descriptions and narratives, simple letters, email
messages, postcards), making pertinent lexical and grammatical choices.
Summer language course abroad
Students who take this intensive language module as part of their degree programme in their first year and need to carry on with the language of their intensive module in order to reach level 5 or above in the final year of their degree programme must take an approved language course abroad in the summer vacation (four weeks) in order to be able to access level 4 modules (LA640 Advanced Level Italian) in the following year: for such students the tuition fee for the course abroad will be paid by the University with the remainder of the expenses paid by the students themselves. For any other students wishing to take part in the summer language course all expenses will be incurred by the student. Students who do not need to reach level 5 or 6 in their final year in the language of their intensive modules and who do not take the approved course abroad can continue with LA630 Higher Intermediate Italian on successful completion of the intensive module.
In our classes, we use an inductive approach, complemented by a variety of activities, which aim to facilitate the learning of the Italian language structures and functions. You are expected to take an active part in classes both individually and in group activities
Four weekly contact hours, including one hour in a PC lab to provide students with opportunities to progress through the structural aspects of the language at their own pace. Class time is dedicated to the introduction of new concepts and focuses on creating practice opportunities for the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
Students will also attend one hour a week, practical session, with a Europhone and
a total of 8 hours, over the term, of practical sessions with a personal (native speaker) mentor.
If no mentors were to be available, students will need to attend 8 hours, over the term, of tandem session with native speakers practicing task based conversations.
Students will be expected to attend all sessions and to complete some relevant practical tasks for each session.
- (31 Jan. 2011) Via della Grammatica: Edilingua Pantelis Marin; 1st Edition edition.
- Ricci, Mina. (2011) Via della grammatica for English speakers: theory, exercises, tests and authentic material for foreigners, Rome: Edilingua.
- Tartaglione, Roberto; Benincasa, Angelica. (2015) Grammatica della lingua italiana per stranieri: regole, esercizi, letture, test : A1-A2 : di base, Firenze: Alma.
- (2012) Domani: Libro DVD ROM 1: Alma Edizioni.
- Telis Marin, Pierangela Diadori. (2017) Via del Corso Libro dello studente ed esercizi A1, [Place of publication not identified]: EDIZIONI EDILINGUA SRLU.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 (reading comprehension) |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 (grammar test) |
|
35% |
| Practical |
Assignment 3 (Oral test) |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Ignazia Posadinu, email: ignazia.posadinu@essex.ac.uk.
Ignazia Posadinu
Ignazia Posadinu, 4.320.A, iposad@essex.ac.uk; 01206 872239
Yes
Yes
No
Prof Sonia Cunico
University of Exeter
Director of Language Teaching
Available via Moodle
Of 111 hours, 97 (87.4%) hours available to students:
14 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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