Overview

This is a module running in semester 1 aimed at absolute beginners. This module intends to make students become familiar with the basic structures of the language in order to enable them to express themselves, both orally and in writing, on very simple topics related to everyday life situations. The textbook adopted for this course is New Italian Espresso (Alma Edizioni). This particular text has been selected for its communicative approach to language teaching which, in conjunction with a more traditional approach to grammar, allows students to speed up their progress in all the four essential language learning skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Key Texts (valid also for LZI1004 in Semester 2):

New Italian Espresso, Alma Edizioni, Textbook + DVD (2014). New Italian Espresso, Workbook (2014)

Students are also strongly encouraged to have their own dictionary, Collins and Oxford are recommended.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40-49%: A limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a limited ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Basic oral and aural competence.

-good -50-69%: A good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a good ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Good oral and aural competence.

-excellent -70+%: An excellent knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an excellent ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Excellent oral and aural competence.

Learning Outcomes

• Listening: obtain information about predictable day-to-day activities by listening to simple TL (= target language) sources; follow simple instructions and directions; progress to being able to obtain information about routine and some non-routine activities by listening to the TL.

• Reading: obtain information about predictable day-to-day activities from printed TL sources; obtain information from simple texts; obtain specific information from familiar written sources.

• Speaking: deal orally with predictable day-to-day activities in both formal and informal registers; ask for and provide basic information; progress to be able to deal orally with daily activities in the TL.

• Writing: produce written information to deal with predictable day-to-day activities; construct simple texts using set phrases and structures; produce notes and short messages to fulfil everyday requirements.