Italian Higher Advanced - Stage G

This course will enable you to further develop your oral, aural and written language in order to express yourself fluently and almost effortlessly by selecting adequate complex sentence forms to do so.

You will further consolidate and expand your understanding of the structure of Italian by analysing and discussing cultural, social and political issues pertaining to Italy. The emphasis of the course is on speaking and in class you will get ample opportunity to practise your conversational skills through pair-work and group exercises; you will listen to authentic audio/video tapes; you will read newspaper texts and complete exercises, which will enhance your vocabulary and your knowledge of grammar.

The course will cover a wide range of topics which will be adapted to students' interest. Authentic materials will comprise various quality Italian newspapers and magazines, video documentaries and audio tapes relating to current affairs and literary topics.

Examples of topics to be covered include:

• regional differences in Italy (character, language, food, festivals etc.)
• current political/social/economic issues
• social aspects/differences between north and south
• health and science issues
• travelling/buying property in Italy
• working in Italy
• social issues
• the family
• Italian poetry
• Italian painters
• the history of the Italian opera
• Italian history during the unification (analysis of the major political figures involved in this process)
• Italian films
• translations from English into Italian.

The following grammar will be covered:

• revision of past tenses
• use of past tenses
• prepositions
• pronouns
• combined pronouns
• pronominal verbs
• idioms, expressions and proverbs
• the imperative
• the subjunctive
• passive construction
• negative and indefinite words and constructions.

The course makes use of a variety of "texts" available in traditional formats (books, magazines, journals, films), as well as web-based materials.

This course is for you if you have a very good working knowledge of Italian and you want a stimulating course to match and stretch your abilities (6 years of part-time study and/or Advanced Italian Stage F).

Taking this course can contribute to the pathway to a degree in modern languages.

Not sure which level is right for you?  Find your level.

Learning and teaching

The emphasis of the course is on participation and students are encouraged to actively participate in class through various non-threatening forms of activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and assessment

For us the most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The assessment of this course is divided into four parts to assess each of the following skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. It is designed to enhance what you have learnt during the course.

Additionally to the weekly sessions, we recommend that you spend time between the lessons, revising and practising what has been done in class.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.