Culture and Language Class: Italian for Beginners

elective courses

None: the study of the Italian language starts from the basics.

Intensive Italian language course – A1-B1 level (according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages - CEFR). This culture and language class has an innovative structure, which allows students to learn about Italian culture, history, and politics in Italian.

First semester: during the classes, the students will discuss grammar and lexical issues, and practice their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, up to level A2. Grammar issues will be introduced and developed through practical exercises and translations of sentences and short texts, containing familiar grammatical structures. The vocabulary is broken down into thematic blocks. Listening skills are practiced on the basis of original recordings or statements presented by the lecturer. The understanding of contents is checked through tasks related to the text. Writing skills are developed by analyzing texts in Italian and attempting to create one’s own written statements. During the classes, the students will practice their ability to create spoken statements about topics introduced within a framework of selected thematic blocks.

Second semester: during the classes, the students will discuss grammar and lexical issues, and practice their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, up to level B1. There are two main goals set for this course: firstly, it aims to broaden the student’s knowledge of grammar and lexical structures so to enable them to handle most communicative situations and engage in spontaneous conversations with a native speaker. Secondly, it aims to provide the student with a variety of texts dedicated to the culture of contemporary Italy. The material presented during the classes will mainly consist of articles from the Italian press, literary excerpts and short stories, videos, advertisement, etc. The course has an innovative structure, which allows students to quickly learn about Italian culture, history and politics in Italian.

The course is conducted on the basis of texts prepared by the lecturer specifically to enable the students to master grammatical structures and basic vocabulary as quickly as possible, together with the knowledge of Italian culture. In addition, material from the textbooks selected by the lecturer will be used.

First semester:

T. Marin, L. Ruggieri, Progetto Italiano 1

K. Katerinov, La lingua italiana per stranieri

Material provided by the lecturer

Second semester:

T. Marin, S. Magnelli, Progetto Italiano 2

S. Simula, Praktyczna gramatyka włoska z ćwiczeniami

L. Cini, Strategie di scrittura

D. Piotti, G. de Savorgnani, E. Carrara, Universitalia 2.0

K_W01 Understands the cultural and social processes taking place in the Mediterranean countries (and other regions of European borderlands, including Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Balkans), and their relevance for the entire continent

K_W03 Understands the historical and cultural ties between the countries and peoples of the northern Mediterranean coast and the rest of Europe

K_W10 Has a structured, advanced, detailed knowledge of the culture and language of a selected Mediterranean region (Italian or Spanish), leading to specialization, and recognizes historical and contemporary relationships and interactions within Mediterranean cultures

K_W11 Understands cultural texts written in a foreign language (Italian or Spanish), including scientific papers; is able to write analytical texts in a foreign language on his/her own

K_U06 Is able to present the results of individual and team academic work in an appropriate form: in the form of a structured and argued statement, both in the form of a written study and an oral presentation (conference talk or voice in a discussion). At the same time, adhere to all ethical principles, including those related to copyrights. Knows the rules of using data sources, including digital sources

K_U09 Is able to use the selected foreign language (Spanish or Italian) at B2+ level, also in an academic context

K_U10 Is able to use the selected foreign language (Spanish or Italian) at B2+ level, also in an academic context

K_K01 Is ready to undertake lifelong learning

K_K04 Is ready to accept the competence to choose the most appropriate means to perform the indicated tasks

Continuous evaluation (based on the activity during the course and preparation for the classes), final test (written and oral). Two absences are allowed – if absences exceed, the student will have to make up for them individually (extra work to be discussed with the lecturer).

Methods and rules for passing the course are tests during the year and final test (written and oral).