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Online Diploma in Italian

Page history last edited by CarmenDell13 9 years, 11 months ago

Duration: 2 years

Next start date: September 2013

ECTS weighting: 30

Awards: Diploma in Italian, NUI Galway

Closing date: Friday, 12th July 2013

NFQ level: 7

Mode of study: Online programme

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This Diploma in Italian – Online introduces students to Italian and its structures. The topics studied in the course will be introduced through a variety of texts in the target language, with a view to increasing learners’ awareness of the sounds, lexicon and structure of their language of study.

The Diploma in Italian ‐ Online aims to provide students with basic interaction and communication skills at the end of year one and achieve an intermediate level of fluency at the end of year two. More specifically, the Diploma in Italian ‐ Online follows, albeit creatively at times, the guidelines set by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framebook of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

CEFR is a document which defines levels of fluency in a language according to a “can do” approach. The Diploma in Italian – Online aims to achieve level A2 (at the end of year one) and B1 (at the end of year 2).

Structure of the language course

The language course (modules IT128 and IT129) is divided into 10 learning units per year, plus an introductory unit at the beginning of year one which will contain a glossary of the most widely used instructions (i.e. Read, listen etc), an explanation of symbols etc.

A learning unit (Unità) is a collection of material (written texts, audio/video clips and/or images) and tasks relating to one particular topic.

Each unit consists of two parts and takes two weeks to complete.

Learning material will be made available at the beginning of each week and participants are expected to dedicate approximately 4 hours per week to the course (studying and interacting with peers and e‐tutors).

Each unit includes a Glossary of relevant vocabulary and a Language Laboratory session for practice with pronunciation and intonation.

The 10 Learning Units of year one cover situations of everyday life and will help participants to develop the necessary competence for basic interaction in Italian, from ordering in a restaurant, to booking a hotel, asking for information, discussing likes and dislikes, describing events in the past, etc.

Aims

The Diploma in Italian ‐ Online aims to:

develop learners’ skills in effective communication;
sensitize students to the particular sounds and intonation of Italian;
introduce students to the knowledge of the nature of Italian structures and vocabulary;
introduce students to strategies for writing short and simple texts in the target language;
expose students to a variety of materials from a range of sources;
enable students to develop understanding of the interdependence of language and culture.

Objectives

Interacting: Students will develop the linguistic and intercultural knowledge, understanding and skills to communicate actively in Italian in interpersonal situations.
Understanding Texts: Students will interpret and respond to texts, applying their knowledge and understanding of language and culture.
Producing Texts: Students will create and present texts in Italian for specific audiences, purposes and contexts, incorporating their linguistic and intercultural knowledge, understanding and skills.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Use of multimedia, Interactive classes, Self-directed learning, variety of authentic texts, language games.
Exploration and awareness of the basic structures of the target language
Production of simple texts in the target language
Working with simple authentic written and aural material in the target language
Communication in various basic situations of everyday life
Pronunciation practice

Assessment Information

A range of continuous assessment and summative assessment modes will apply, as follows:

IT128 (Year 1, Semester 1);
IT129 (Year 1, Semester 2);
IT130 (Year 1).

Assessment criteria: Grammatical & linguistic accuracy, learner awareness/autonomy, participation.

Continuous Assessment: 75%

End of semester exam: 25%

On‐campus sessions for all modules will offer an opportunity to discuss any issues or doubts relating to the topics covered. In addition, cultural elements will be introduced, including geography, history, traditions, cuisine and cinema.