Module Information

Certain classes focus on written skills: here the aim is to further the student's understanding and active awareness of contemporary Italian vocabulary, idiom and syntax in ways that are varied and interesting. Other classes focus on conversational skills, notably the oral class where the priority is to develop confident self-expression in a relaxed but active atmosphere.

A weekly class, which utilises the course book and other selected material, seeks to develop expression by discussion and by the completion of exercises that include gap-filling description and oral commentary, while the written assignments for this class comprise comprehension, precis, essay writing and translation from Italian. This is complemented by a class which is primarily devoted to translation into Italian and in which accuracy is stressed. Students will have several written assignments and are required to do assessed work regularly on CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) in the Language Laboratory.

Listening comprehension (a skill of considerable importance for the Year Abroad) will be practised in class. It will be assessed by tests which will contribute to the total module marks. You are expected and strongly advised to practise listening comprehension in your time (e.g. in the language laboratories): this is a skill where practise does indeed make perfect.

Note: Students are expected to obtain a card key for access after 5pm to the Language Laboratory and computer terminals.

In the weekly oral class and the debate/discussion meetings students are required to offer presentations in Italian on given topics and are expected to participate actively in role play games and discussions relating to contemporary issues.

Language modules have, as an integral part of their structure, regular homework assignments and class tests as well as end of year examinations. All assessment is designed to measure your progress against learning outcomes at the appropriate level.