Intensive five weeks of Italian language study. To present the advanced level of spoken and written Italian language the professor will use a communicative approach. Lessons focus on how to behave linguistically and culturally also in non elementary communicative 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 languages.
The course will begin with a recognition and an intensive survey of incoming students level plus a grammar back-up of the basic linguistic structures. In the second part of the course we will focus on the syntactic structures involved in the fulfillment of some important and not elementary communicative tasks such as: introducing and reporting news to others, giving suggestions, describing feelings, emotions, explaining/comparing points of view, formulating hypothesis. In the last part of the course lessons will focus on reported speech and written (both formal and informal) communication.
The conversation course uses an activity-based approach, the goal of which is to underline the relationship between language, people and real life situations by asking students to fulfill practical and cultural assignments outside of class.
Prerequisites:
IT201 or its equivalent (usually at least three semesters of previous Italian language study.
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 and also to 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:
Short film clips on the neighborhood (group assignment)
Short interviews with Italian people (individual assignment)
Field trip planning (group assignment)
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 with oral drills and improve pronunciation, stress and intonation under the 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, 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 grade breakdown policy.
Attendance, participation, assignments and group work (points 1. 2. 3.) 40%
Weekly tests 20%
Final exam 40%.
content:
8 hours per week.
Monday through Thursday, 2 hours per day.
Week one: Relationship between indicative and subjunctive mode (DUE, selection from chapters 1 to 4, chapter 9). How the past tenses of the indicative mode relate to the past tenses of the subjunctive mode: passato prossimo /past subjunctive; imperfect indicative/imperfect subjunctive ; trapassato in indicative and in subjunctive.
Meeting people individually and in groups, and recounting previous foreign language study opportunities. Expressing opinions about regarding these particular experiences.
Week two: Conditional present and past. Its uses with the subjunctive and its relationship with the indicative future. If clauses (DUE, chapter 5,7). Review of the imperative form.
Reactions to possible types of information; giving advice and suggestions. Expressing wishes and desires, as well as unreal (non feasible) situations.
Imperative form in professional settings.
Week three: The different functions of the gerund. (QUI ITALIA PIU’, chapter 18; DUE, chapter 13).
Buon viaggio! Reading transportation schedules and information. Traffic rules and travel vocabulary.
Week four: The passive and impersonal form. (DUE, chapter 19)
Selective recounting and paraphrasing of previous conversations. Integrating newly acquired vocabulary.
FINAL EXAM
Each lesson will include role plays, word games, exercises with Italian songs, movies as well as field trips and activities related to the specific topics of the week.
Required readings:
Due. Corso comunicativo di Italiano per stranieri, Roma, Bonacci Editore, eighth edition. Student book + exercise book.
Intensive five weeks of Italian language study. To present the advanced level of spoken and written Italian language the professor will use a communicative approach. Lessons focus on how to behave linguistically and culturally also in non elementary communicative 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 languages.
The course will begin with a recognition and an intensive survey of incoming students level plus a grammar back-up of the basic linguistic structures. In the second part of the course we will focus on the syntactic structures involved in the fulfillment of some important and not elementary communicative tasks such as: introducing and reporting news to others, giving suggestions, describing feelings, emotions, explaining/comparing points of view, formulating hypothesis. In the last part of the course lessons will focus on reported speech and written (both formal and informal) communication.
The conversation course uses an activity-based approach, the goal of which is to underline the relationship between language, people and real life situations by asking students to fulfill practical and cultural assignments outside of class.
IT201 or its equivalent (usually at least three semesters of previous Italian language study.
(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 and also to 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:
Linguistic Laboratory: two weekly classes will take place at the IULM Linguistic Laboratory in order to let the students practice with oral drills and improve pronunciation, stress and intonation under the 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, 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 grade breakdown policy.
8 hours per week.
Monday through Thursday, 2 hours per day.
Week one: Relationship between indicative and subjunctive mode (DUE, selection from chapters 1 to 4, chapter 9). How the past tenses of the indicative mode relate to the past tenses of the subjunctive mode: passato prossimo /past subjunctive; imperfect indicative/imperfect subjunctive ; trapassato in indicative and in subjunctive.
Meeting people individually and in groups, and recounting previous foreign language study opportunities. Expressing opinions about regarding these particular experiences.
Week two: Conditional present and past. Its uses with the subjunctive and its relationship with the indicative future. If clauses (DUE, chapter 5,7). Review of the imperative form.
Reactions to possible types of information; giving advice and suggestions. Expressing wishes and desires, as well as unreal (non feasible) situations.
Imperative form in professional settings.
Week three: The different functions of the gerund. (QUI ITALIA PIU’, chapter 18; DUE, chapter 13).
Buon viaggio! Reading transportation schedules and information. Traffic rules and travel vocabulary.
Week four: The passive and impersonal form. (DUE, chapter 19)
Written language versus spoken vernacular.
Week five: Indirect discourse. (DUE, chapters 17 – 18)
Selective recounting and paraphrasing of previous conversations. Integrating newly acquired vocabulary.
FINAL EXAM
Each lesson will include role plays, word games, exercises with Italian songs, movies as well as field trips and activities related to the specific topics of the week.
Due. Corso comunicativo di Italiano per stranieri, Roma, Bonacci Editore, eighth edition. Student book + exercise book.
Italian pocket dictionary.