Module CFLS1I11: Italian Stage 1

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study

CFLS1I11: Italian Stage 1

Type	Open	Level	1	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2023/24	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

• No language qualification in Italian and no prior study of Italian

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Any Core Language Modules offered by the School of Modern Languages & Cultures.

Aims

• To provide an introduction to the Italian Language in the four core language skills, i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing and an introduction to the basic grammatical structures of the target language.
• To encourage a positive and confident attitude towards language learning.
• To develop and apply meta language and learning techniques appropriate to undergraduate level study.
• To provide a linguistic platform for communicative competence in Italian.
• To promote cultural awareness.

Content

• The module is designed to provide a sound platform for foreign language acquisition by helping students to understand the core structure of the Italian language through the study of grammar.
• Classes will be used to introduce and practise new vocabulary through interactive language exercises developing students' independence and fluency at an introductory level.
• Guided and independent self-study will be an important element in order to achieve maximum exposure to the target language and to accelerate students' learning pace.
• Cultural awareness will be developed through the study of selected background material.
• Functional topics may include:
• Talking about yourself
• Dealing with everyday situations when visiting Italy
• Expressing opinions
• Talking about past present and future event
• Describing people, objects and places

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will:
• demonstrate an understanding of basic grammar and be able to communicate in the present, past and future tenses on familiar topics and activities;
• understand and elicit basic factual information in Italian in simple everyday situations;
• understand and extract relevant information from course related written and aural texts;
• have an awareness of the main features of contemporary Italian culture.

• By the end of the module students will:
• communicate in tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities;
• demonstrate an understanding of core meta language sufficient to undertake independent study of essential grammar and lexis;
• demonstrate a strategic competence that will allow them to understand the gist of conversations / texts in simple, everyday but unpredictable situations.
• describe aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need;
• write short notes and messages.

• By the end of the module students will:
• demonstrate the ability to identify their own learning needs and address them effectively;

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module is delivered through three 1-hour seminars each week
• Seminars to introduce grammar points and practise language skills
• Summative test, oral and aural examination, summative final examination to ensure acquisition of basic knowledge

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Seminars	60	three times per week	1 hour	60	■
Preparation and Reading				140
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Components 1 and 2 each comprise two separate tasks, the marks of which are combined to generate the Component mark.

Component: Listening & Writing		Component Weighting: 30%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Project assignments (Term 1)		100%	Yes
Component: Reading and Writing		Component Weighting: 30%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Project assignments (Term 2)		100%	Yes
Component: Speaking and Listening		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Group oral assessment with pre-prepared listening tasks (Weeks 21-22)	20 minutes	100%	Yes

Formative Assessment:

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

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■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University