Italian-English Tandem

• University credits: 10
• University levels: 1-4
• Pre-requisite: In addition to being native-speakers of the language they are 'teaching', students should have the following qualifications or equivalent learning experience in the language they are learning:
  • MLT348A Italian-English Tandem Advanced 1: MLT208, MLT247, A level grade A-C, CEF B1+
  • MLT220A Italian-English Tandem Higher Advanced 1: MLT267, A level + 1 year or stay abroad, CEF B2
  • MLT328A Italian-English Tandem Proficient 1: MLT317 (> 65%), A level + 2 years or long stay abroad, CEF C1
• Co-requisite: N/A
• Public: Students of the University of Sheffield taking the module for credits, Erasmus students.
• Teaching period: Autumn semester (see timetables & course dates)
• Contact times: Two introductory seminars in Weeks 2 and 4, and two counselling session in Weeks 4 and 7. Also a minimum of 20 hours of bilingual collaborative learning with a native-speaker partner. Sessions to be arranged by partners, at least 2 hours per week divided equally between the 2 languages.
• Group size: Tandem pair
• Language co-ordinator: Alessia Brighi
• Module leader: Alessia Brighi
• Pathway:
  • MLT348 > MLT267
  • MLT220 > MLT317
  • MLT328 > MLT359

This unit aims to enable students to develop their spoken proficiency and intercultural awareness in relation to the language they are studying through weekly meetings with a native-speaker partner and to acquire independent language learning skills through regular supervision from a language tutor and the completion of a personal planning and reflexive diary.

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

• perform at the following level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:
  •  MLT348: B2-
  •  MLT220: B2+
  •  MLT328: C1+ 
• speak the language with greater fluency and accuracy
• demonstrate an enhanced perception of the target culture in areas they have prioritised
• study the language and culture more independently (i.e. analysing their language learning needs, setting themselves realistic goals accordingly, developing successful language learning techniques to achieve these goals and evaluating their progress)
• demonstrate a range of transferable skills including effective time-management, reviewing and evaluating procedures, learning from peers and supporting the learning of others.

N/A.

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

• Undergraduate degree
• MLTC Confirmation of Completion

Summative assessment

• Tandem Learner diary (45%): To be submitted in Week 12 (For the 'Advanced' module, learners may choose to write their diary in the target language but for the 'Higher Advanced' module half, and the 'Proficient' module all, of the diary entries will be in the target language.).
• Self-assessment of:   
  •  Progress in language skills (5%);
  •  Progress in management of learning (5%);
• Tandem Speaking test (45%): Discussion with the partner in Week 12 covering the semester's work (Advanced: 8-10 minutes; Higher Advanced: 10-12 minutes; Proficient: 12-15 minutes).

Feedback: Feedback will be provided regularly by the partner during weekly meetings throughout the semester and by the tutor during the mid-semester counselling session.

Italian Timetable