Italian Beginner 1 (MLT107A/B)

• University credits: 10
• University levels: 1-4
• Pre-requisite: No previous learning experience
• Co-requisite: N/A
• Public: Students, members of staff, members of the public
• Teaching period: MLT107A: Autumn semester, MLT107B: Spring semester (see timetables & course dates)
• Contact times: 3 hours per week over 11 weeks, starting in Week 1 of the semester, and including a two-hour class and a one-hour lab session.
• Group size: Maximum of 23 students per class-group and 10-15 per lab-group
• Language Co-ordinator: Alessia Brighi
• Module Leader:  Alessia Brighi (Autumn), Marilina Visone (Spring) 
• Pathway: MLT108

Assuming no prior knowledge of the language, this unit aims to provide a general foundation in the language and culture in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level, orally and in writing, with sympathetic native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad. 

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• perform at Level A1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment), and catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements
• read and extract key information from short, simple texts and written documents (messages, notices, instructions, brochures, etc.)
• interact in a simple way with a sympathetic native speaker in routine, predictable situations, requesting or providing fairly detailed factual information, and coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected responses by asking for repetition or clarification
• write simple notes, messages and short personal letters or emails providing or requesting essential information
• demonstrate an insight into very basic aspects of the culture and everyday life in areas where the language is spoken so as to respond appropriately when interacting with native speakers in simple situations.
• demonstrate a practical understanding of essential grammar terminology and a basic ability to study the language by themselves, using essential tools such as the World Wide Web or a dictionary and developing techniques for the acquisition and retention of new language
• demonstrate awareness in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, presenting information, handling unexpected communicative situations, taking intercultural differences and language barriers into account, learning independently, etc.

Set textbook

• Italian 1 (3rd edition), Benetti, M. et al (Palgrave: 2016), ISBN: 978-1137579218.

Recommended textbook:

• Soluzioni! : a practical grammar of contemporary Italian, De Rôme D. (Hodder: 2010), ISBN: 978-1444128130 free online access available.

This module can be validated as part of the following schemes:

• Undergraduate degree
• MLTC Confirmation of Attendance or Completion
• Higher Education Achievement Record
• Doctoral Development Programme & Research Training Programme

Assessment:

Important: the method of assessment to be used in 2023-24 is subject to change and the below is for the 2022-23 academic year. This page will be updated with further information in due course.

• Written examination (in the examination period): 50%  
• Oral Assessment: 50%

Feedback: In addition to on-going individual and collective feedback during class-activities, learners will receive individual written feedback on the three pieces of assessment above.

MLTC Timetables