IT202: Intermediate Italian Language

Module Provider:

Italian

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn and Spring

Module Convenor:

Ms E Siciliano Verruccio

Pre-requisites:

IT1003

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

IT201

Current from:

2005/6

Aims:
This module aims to build on the work done at Part 1 to improve the students' knowledge of Italian, developing their comprehension skills and increasing their fluency in both written and spoken Italian.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage students to:

Outline content:
The module will provide students with a thorough revision of elements of Italian grammar covered at Part 1, alongside an introduction to more complex concepts and structures. The further development of grammatical awareness will be based on a wide range of structured exercises, including short translations of authentic texts from English into Italian. A grammar textbook and additional teaching and learning material will be used to facilitate grammar revision and reinforcement.

Students will be exposed to a variety of authentic Italian materials (written, audio, video and web-based), with a focus on issues relating to contemporary Italian society, in order to enable them to prepare for the Year Abroad. Comprehension exercises of both written and spoken texts will provide students with adequate vocabulary and syntactical structures for their active production of spoken and written Italian. The wide range of topics introduced through material drawn from a variety of journalistic and literary sources will help sensitise students to different registers.
Students will also build on the very simple translation from Italian into English exercises introduced at Part 1, working on more complex texts, drawn from authentic sources, reflecting a variety of different styles and registers.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught in small groups of about 12 students. Pair work, teamwork and group discussions will be encouraged in all classes, and students may be asked to give occasional short oral presentations. Translation classes will normally be taught by a native speaker of English, while other classes will normally be taught by a native speaker of Italian. Students will be required to produce two short pieces of written work per week.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will be assessed on the basis of a dossier of work completed during the two terms, to include one or more class tests.

Relative percentage of coursework: 20% (10% for exercises; 10% for tests)

Examinations
There will be a two-hour written paper to include three exercises, which will count for 60 % of the final mark. There will also be an oral examination, which will consist of a listening comprehension exercise, a simple passage to be read and discussed, and some general conversation appropriate to students' abilities at this stage. The oral examination will count for 20% of the final mark.

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September. The written re-sit paper will count for 80% of the final mark and the oral examination for 20 % of the final mark.