Italian Beginner Intensive 1 - MLT933

• University credits: 10
• University levels: 1-4
• Pre-requisite: No previous learning experience
• Co-requisite: N/A.
• Availability: Undergraduate students undertaking a language degree with the School of Languages and Cultures
• Teaching period: Autumn semester (see timetables & course dates)
• Contact times: 4 hours per week (One 2-hour session and two 1-hour sessions in a week) over 11 weeks, starting in Week 1 of the semester.
• Group size: Maximum of 23
• Language Co-ordinator:  Alessia Brighi
• Module Leader:  Alessia Brighi
• Pathway: MLT934 Italian Beginner Intensive 2

Assuming no prior knowledge of the language, this unit aims to provide a general foundation in the language and culture in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level, orally and in writing, with sympathetic native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad (CEF level A1+). Based on 44 hours of small group (15-20) interactive seminars and tutorials predominantly delivered in the foreign language, the unit also comprises 56 hours of monitored private study.

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• perform at Level A1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment), and catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements
• read and extract key information from short, simple texts and written documents (messages, notices, instructions, brochures, etc.)
• interact in a simple way with a sympathetic native speaker in routine, predictable situations, requesting or providing fairly detailed factual information, and coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected responses by asking for repetition or clarification
• write simple notes, messages and short personal letters or emails providing or requesting essential information
• demonstrate an insight into very basic aspects of the culture and everyday life in areas where the language is spoken so as to respond appropriately when interacting with native speakers in simple situations.
• demonstrate a practical understanding of essential grammar terminology and a basic ability to study the language by themselves, using essential tools such as the Word Wide Web or a dictionary and developing techniques for the acquisition and retention of new language
• demonstrate awareness in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, presenting information, handling unexpected communicative situations, taking intercultural differences and language barriers into account, learning independently, etc.

Set Textbook:

• Tbc.

This module can be validated as part of the following schemes:

• Undergraduate degree
• MLTC Confirmation of Attendance or Completion
• Higher Education Achievement Record
• Doctoral Development Programme and Research Training Programme

Assessment:

• Speaking Exam: 50%
• Written examination (in the examination period): 50%

Feedback: In addition to on-going individual and collective feedback during class-activities, learners will receive individual written feedback on the two pieces of assessment above.

MLTC Timetables