By the successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Participate in unprepared oral interactions, producing connected and comprehensible spoken language to deal with a range of familiar topics and personal interest matters within the scope of your level of grammar and vocabulary
• Respond to and reproduce written texts of moderate complexity applying your knowledge and competence in grammar and vocabulary
• Demonstrate intercultural awareness in the handling of routine social interactions in Italian and in your use of language
• Use a basic range of language learning tools accurately and independently to support the production and development of your knowledge

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• Revision of structures taught at Level 2
• All past tenses and the introduction to the past historic tense
• Uses of infinitives, gerunds and participles
• Adjectives and pronouns
• Indirect speech
• Impersonal and passive forms
• Interrogatives
• Indefinite adjectives and pronouns
• Prepositions
• Uses of infinitive and verbs of perception
• Use of che, come, quanto; fare, lasciare + infinitive
• Revision of subjunctive and introduction of past subjunctive

Topics to be studied and discussed will include those in the coursebook, as well as:

• Education
• Work environment in Italy
• Science and technology
• Environmental issues
• Some aspects of economic and social development in contemporary Italy
• Social and scientific issues
• Current affairs
• Film, television
• Leisure in Italy and abroad

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and collection of key terms/ideas); group work (discussion, creation of posters); individual tasks as well as video uploaded to Blackboard; discovery and formulation of rules; critical evaluation of texts, audio and video material. Weekly homework tasks give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills using self-help platforms proposed by the teacher. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks, but also supports different learning styles.

The two pieces of coursework are marked and returned within two weeks. Detailed feedback is provided for each individual section of the coursework, giving the correct answer(s) along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the number of points out of a maximum total, an overall percentage grade is given. Generic feedback on each individual piece of coursework is also provided in class.

The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc) are set every week on the virtual learning environment, following a flipped classroom approach to ensure face-to-face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. This means that you will be provided with materials to study independently beforehand, and then apply these during classroom time. Your lecturer will provide you with support materials and guidance to reinforce topics covered at your own pace.

You will need to complete two pieces of summative coursework (set during mid-term 1 and mid-term 2), which will include rubrics and revision guidance to ensure you are supported when completing your work and so that you are aware of the assessment expectations. There will also be two 1-hour in-class tests (scheduled at the end of term 1 and at the end of term 2), and one practical in the form of an oral examination (at the end of term 2 or during the summer term). The coursework, examinations and practical contribute to your final grade.

• Coursework (15%): Comprehension, grammar exercise and composition (200 words).
• Examination (15%): 1-hour in-class test (bring your own device), consisting of comprehension and composition (240 words).
• Coursework (20%): Listening Comprehension and record voice or grammar exercises and composition (250 words).
• Examination (20%): 1-hour in-class test (bring your own device), consisting of comprehension and composition (280 words).
• Practical (30%): Oral exam: analysis of prepared text and discussion of the topic. Self-presentation (15 minutes).

Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebook

Title: Nuovo Espresso : Libro studente 3

ISBN: 9788861823396

Publisher: Alma Edizioni

Publication Date: 2015

NB The Italian Bookshop offers a 10% discount to Imperial Horizons students.