ITAN101 - Introductory Italian

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Unit rationale, description and aim

This unit is designed for beginners and, is linked to A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The unit focuses on developing students’ Italian language skills across the listening-speaking-reading-writing spectrum of competencies. Students will be exposed to the fundamental phonetic, lexical, and structural elements of the Italian language. While the focus is on language, this unit will also include cultural and social elements, to increase students’ intercultural awareness and their ability to effectively interact in Italian.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the ability to understand and use familiar expressions and basic phrases in everyday social contexts. This unit also aims to build proficiency in an additional language as this enhances employment opportunities and cross-cultural awareness.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Recognise individual sounds and common stress patterns in Italian (GA5)

LO2 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge of vocabulary and language structures through the use of simple phrases and sentences in familiar everyday contexts (such as greetings, introductions and ordering a meal) (GA5)

LO3 - Identify important cultural aspects of the language reflected in everyday polite forms including formal and informal modes of address (GA1)

LO4 - Communicate in Italian at the level of proficiency linked to selected ‘Can do’ statements at A1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (GA5)

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

Content

Topics may include:

• Greetings and Introductions
• The Italian alphabet and sound system
• Common stress patterns in Italian
• Countries and nationalities
• Professions and workplaces
• Meals, food and beverage
• Leisure activities
• Numbers 1 to 100
• Time expressions
• Italian geography

Language Functions and Competencies:

• Greeting people and introducing yourself and others
• Asking and answering questions about nationality and profession
• Ordering a meal in a restaurant
• Talking about free time and leisure activities
• Telling the time
• Checking into a hotel
• Using polite expressions and forms of address

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit takes an inquiry-based approach in order to encourage intercultural appreciation and the ability to identify language patterns and their functions. Facilitated peer learning also assists language acquisition and exposes students to a variety of styles, dialects, and cultural productions.

Assessment strategy and rationale

Assessment tasks are scaffolded in order to support students in their understanding and application of the target language. The assessment tasks are designed to build upon the knowledge and skills from lecture and workshop activities. Students demonstrate their level of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Italian.

Assessment ONE is designed to develop students’ listening and reading skills and conversation skills in Italian.

Assessment TWO is designed to develop students’ listening and speaking skills and conversation skills in Italian.

Assessment THREE (and final exam) provides a means by which to assess the students’ language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Italian.

The Hurdle Task provides students with the opportunity to develop their independent learning skills through completing a structed learning and development portfolio which provides a weekly record of completed learning tasks.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Students will be advised of textbook requirements in the first week of semester.