Intensive five weeks of Italian language study. To present the basis of spoken and written Italian language the professor will use a communicative approach. Lessons focus on how to behave linguistically and culturally in the most frequent real life situations. This pragmatic approach, also called “the functional- notional approach,” involves linguistic practice and reflection on grammar topics as well, as recommended by the Language Committee of United Europe, in accordance with European Parliament decrees in relation to the teaching of foreign languages1. The conversation course uses an activity-based approach to underline the relationship between language, people and real life situations by fulfilling practical and cultural assignments outside of class2.
Method of presentation:
(a) presentation of short video clips, dialogues, photos, newspaper articles concerning a particular Italian linguistic behavior; (b) emphasis on the linguistic structure involved; (c) oral and written drills in order to strengthen grammar skills; (d) emphasis on grammar topics involved, with particular attention to Expectancy and Inventional grammar as well as the differences between English and Italian language; (e) creative work in groups. Exceptions and changes to this item will always be possible, depending on the actual didactic situation.
As for the conversation part of the course, group or individual task fulfillment is required and will concentrate on:
1. Short film clips on the neighborhood (group assignment)
2. Short interviews with Italian people (individual assignment)
3. Field trip planning (group assignment)
4. Elements of spoken Italian theory (individual assignment)
Required work and form of assessment:
Linguistic Laboratory: two weekly classes will take place at the IULM linguistic laboratory in order to let the students practice oral drills and improve pronunciation, stress and intonation under teacher’s guidance. Conversation with fellow Italian students: the teacher will provide the students with a list of Italian IULM students for those who desire to know their host environment better and at the same time to improve Italian language skills through bilingual conversation. This activity is optional. Still, it is strongly recommended as a helpful supplement to the communicative approach adopted in class.
Assignments: Written assignments plus oral presentations. All students are expected to come to class prepared regarding the material covered in class. All assignments will be evaluated.
At the end of every week there will be a written grammar test, plus a final exam at the end of the course. In every written test students will be asked to show their knowledge of Italian morphology and vocabulary, create
dialogues from a given situation, and develop communicative skills.
In addition to the written final exam, there will be an oral section of spoken Italian theory.
Points 1. 2. 3. (see method of presentation) will be evaluated according to the following grade breakdown policy.
GRADE BREAKDOWN: Attendance, participation, assignments and group work (points 1. 2. 3.) 40%, weekly tests 20%, final exam 40%.
content:
First part: 2 weeks, 8 hours per week
Week 1: from Unit 1 to unit 3 of the course book
a) functional-notional content: elements of basic communication, how to greet, how to introduce oneself to the others, how to speak about one’s job, nationality, character, family
b) grammar content: present tense of “to have”, “to be”, present tense of –are verbs, colloquial and formal use of subject pronouns, use of prepositions “in” and “a”, irregular verbs “fare” “potere” “andare” “sapere”,
reflexive verb “chiamarsi”, numbers, alphabet, articles “il” “la” “i”, time and frequency adverbs such as
“mai” “qualche volta” “sempre”, “di solito”.
c) lexical content: words related to nationality, countries, jobs, family, seasons, weather, hours of the day, daily activities.
Week 2, from unit 4 to unit 6
a) functional-notional content: how to place the events in time and in space, how to relate with known or unknown people. elements to speak about: tastes, preferences, habits, how to agree and to disagree with someone, how to place something in space, to ask information about how to reach a place,.
b) grammar content: main contractions (di+article / a+article), present tense of –ere and –ire verbs, articles, “I like” “I don’t like”, indefinite articles, “there is” “there are”, time and space adverbs, partitive article, adjectives, agreement of adjective, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns.
c) lexical content: daily activities, the city (places, squares, streets, bus, metro, shops etc.) foods, clothes, colors
SECOND PART: 3 weeks 8 hours per week and final exam. This is a complete list of the content without any weekly breakdown. The subdivision will depend on many factors.
We will cover from unit 7 to unit 13 of the course book.
a) functional-notional content: how to ask and give information, weights and measures, quantities, how to ask for something at a restaurant, at a bar, how to ask the price of something how to propose activities, how to accept or to refuse, how to make an appointment, how to behave in a telephone conversation. How to tell things happened in the past
b) grammar content: subject, object, indirect pronouns, the present tense of modal verbs, present tense of the verb “stare”, the “stare+gerund” structure. The Passato Prossimo tense and the Imperfetto tense; main
uses and forms.
c) lexical content : words related to telephone conversations, daily activities, stages of life (from youth to old age), things to be offered, foods, nouns and adjectives about tastes, the house, clothes, the human body, holiday
Required readings:
Uno. Corso Comunicativo di Italiano per Stranieri, Roma, Bonacci Editore, 8th edition. Student book + exercises book.
Italian pocket dictionary
Grammar handouts
Beginning Italian
Intensive five weeks of Italian language study. To present the basis of spoken and written Italian language the professor will use a communicative approach. Lessons focus on how to behave linguistically and culturally in the most frequent real life situations. This pragmatic approach, also called “the functional- notional approach,” involves linguistic practice and reflection on grammar topics as well, as recommended by the Language Committee of United Europe, in accordance with European Parliament decrees in relation to the teaching of foreign languages1. The conversation course uses an activity-based approach to underline the relationship between language, people and real life situations by fulfilling practical and cultural assignments outside of class2.
(a) presentation of short video clips, dialogues, photos, newspaper articles concerning a particular Italian linguistic behavior; (b) emphasis on the linguistic structure involved; (c) oral and written drills in order to strengthen grammar skills; (d) emphasis on grammar topics involved, with particular attention to Expectancy and Inventional grammar as well as the differences between English and Italian language; (e) creative work in groups. Exceptions and changes to this item will always be possible, depending on the actual didactic situation.
As for the conversation part of the course, group or individual task fulfillment is required and will concentrate on:
1. Short film clips on the neighborhood (group assignment)
2. Short interviews with Italian people (individual assignment)
3. Field trip planning (group assignment)
4. Elements of spoken Italian theory (individual assignment)
Linguistic Laboratory: two weekly classes will take place at the IULM linguistic laboratory in order to let the students practice oral drills and improve pronunciation, stress and intonation under teacher’s guidance. Conversation with fellow Italian students: the teacher will provide the students with a list of Italian IULM students for those who desire to know their host environment better and at the same time to improve Italian language skills through bilingual conversation. This activity is optional. Still, it is strongly recommended as a helpful supplement to the communicative approach adopted in class.
Assignments: Written assignments plus oral presentations. All students are expected to come to class prepared regarding the material covered in class. All assignments will be evaluated.
At the end of every week there will be a written grammar test, plus a final exam at the end of the course. In every written test students will be asked to show their knowledge of Italian morphology and vocabulary, create
dialogues from a given situation, and develop communicative skills.
In addition to the written final exam, there will be an oral section of spoken Italian theory.
Points 1. 2. 3. (see method of presentation) will be evaluated according to the following grade breakdown policy.
GRADE BREAKDOWN: Attendance, participation, assignments and group work (points 1. 2. 3.) 40%, weekly tests 20%, final exam 40%.
First part: 2 weeks, 8 hours per week
Week 1: from Unit 1 to unit 3 of the course book
a) functional-notional content: elements of basic communication, how to greet, how to introduce oneself to the others, how to speak about one’s job, nationality, character, family
b) grammar content: present tense of “to have”, “to be”, present tense of –are verbs, colloquial and formal use of subject pronouns, use of prepositions “in” and “a”, irregular verbs “fare” “potere” “andare” “sapere”,
reflexive verb “chiamarsi”, numbers, alphabet, articles “il” “la” “i”, time and frequency adverbs such as
“mai” “qualche volta” “sempre”, “di solito”.
c) lexical content: words related to nationality, countries, jobs, family, seasons, weather, hours of the day, daily activities.
Week 2, from unit 4 to unit 6
a) functional-notional content: how to place the events in time and in space, how to relate with known or unknown people. elements to speak about: tastes, preferences, habits, how to agree and to disagree with someone, how to place something in space, to ask information about how to reach a place,.
b) grammar content: main contractions (di+article / a+article), present tense of –ere and –ire verbs, articles, “I like” “I don’t like”, indefinite articles, “there is” “there are”, time and space adverbs, partitive article, adjectives, agreement of adjective, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns.
c) lexical content: daily activities, the city (places, squares, streets, bus, metro, shops etc.) foods, clothes, colors
SECOND PART: 3 weeks 8 hours per week and final exam. This is a complete list of the content without any weekly breakdown. The subdivision will depend on many factors.
We will cover from unit 7 to unit 13 of the course book.
a) functional-notional content: how to ask and give information, weights and measures, quantities, how to ask for something at a restaurant, at a bar, how to ask the price of something how to propose activities, how to accept or to refuse, how to make an appointment, how to behave in a telephone conversation. How to tell things happened in the past
b) grammar content: subject, object, indirect pronouns, the present tense of modal verbs, present tense of the verb “stare”, the “stare+gerund” structure. The Passato Prossimo tense and the Imperfetto tense; main
uses and forms.
c) lexical content : words related to telephone conversations, daily activities, stages of life (from youth to old age), things to be offered, foods, nouns and adjectives about tastes, the house, clothes, the human body, holiday
Uno. Corso Comunicativo di Italiano per Stranieri, Roma, Bonacci Editore, 8th edition. Student book + exercises book.
Italian pocket dictionary
Grammar handouts