Italian for Beginners - Stage A

This course provides a grounding in the basic structures of Italian language and grammar which will enable students to communicate in essential day-to-day situations in Italy.

Though the emphasis is on speaking you will also learn grammatical structures and sentence patterns, which will form the basis for further progression in Italian.

You will learn to read basic messages, letters and texts, understand authentic dialogues and produce your own dialogues in group and/or pair work exercises in class.

The following topics will be covered:

• greetings and farewells
• numbers 1-1.000.000
• asking and giving personal details (nationalities, work)
• hobbies and pastimes
• describing a place
• asking and giving directions
• booking a hotel room
• ordering in a restaurant
• describing a house
• talking about a trip
• weather.

The course will also cover the basic grammar you need at this level which includes:

• sentence structures (forming questions)
• the alphabet
• nouns and gender
• definite/indefinite articles
• regular/irregular verbs/modal verbs
• present tense
• personal pronouns
• prepositions
• adjectives/adverbs (time).

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 take part in activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and assessment

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.

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

Reading suggestions

Textbook to be advised in the first session.

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.