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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL10631: Italian written and spoken language 1 (ab initio)

Click here for further information Credits: 12
Click here for further information Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Click here for further information Period: Academic Year
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 50%, EX 25%, OR 25%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
In Semester 1, this unit aims to give students a systematic grounding in the basis structures of Italian grammar and syntax; to enable them to employ these structures correctly in short written texts within a communicative context and orally in a variety of practical and everyday situations; and thus to bring students to an intermediate level of knowledge of Italian. In Semester 2, the unit aims to consolidate the knowledge acquired in Semester 1, complete the study of Italian grammar and syntax, and extend the vocabulary, thus bringing students to an advanced standard of Italian. Students will be exposed to more complex written texts (including literary ones from contemporary authors), will extend their aural comprehension and oral skills to a larger number of situations and contexts, and will develop specific skills of inferring meaning from unknown or unfamiliar language.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
* use and understand more complex structures of the Italian language
* employ those structures correctly in longer written texts such as reports, summaries, letters, etc. and using specific vocabulary
* read contemporary writing
* converse on practical and everyday situations and discuss issues with native and non-native speakers of Italian.

Skills:
Skills in precision and creativity in the use of written and spoken language, effective communication in the target language and translation are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning, CIT and adaptation to life in the target country are developed in this unit.

Content:

Written language. Increasingly more complex morphological and syntactic aspects of the Italian language will be covered. Lessons are based upon the textbook, which will be integrated with handouts, grammar exercises, and short prose passages drawn from contemporary sources.
Spoken language. Listening and speaking skills are developed by means of conversation groups, role-play, paired activities, and supervised lab activities, based on authentic audio-visual material and printed texts and leading to more creative and contextualised written assignments. Contact with native speakers is a crucial aspect of the unit.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL10631 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB06 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UHPL-AYB20 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.