Course Description
Accelerated course of the Italian language for students with a knowledge of another foreign language, preferably a Romance language, or with two entrance units of high school Italian taken within the past three years. This course covers the material in Elementary Italian. Given in Italian.
Athena Title
Accelerated Elementary Italian
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ITAL 1002, ITAL 1002E, ITAL 1003, ITAL 1110
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- By the end of the semester, successful students will have attained the ACTFL “Novice Middle” level in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through incremental learning of the basics of the Italian language.
- When the successful student speaks in Italian, they will be able to complete basic social communication tasks using isolated words, rehearsed phrases, and short sentences drawn from the contexts where the individual has learned or been exposed to the language. When responding to direct questions, successful students will be able to employ stock answers to meet their communicative needs. They will recycle their own and their communication partner’s words as a strategy for maintaining communication.
- When the successful student writes in Italian, they will be able to reproduce from memory a modest number of words and phrases in context. They can supply basic biographical information, such as names, numbers, and nationality, and other limited information on simple forms and documents. Successful students will exhibit a high degree of accuracy when writing on well-rehearsed, familiar topics using limited formulaic language.
- The successful student will learn how to interact in basic cultural contexts and will use culturally appropriate formulaic expressions. They will recognize opportunities for own turn (turn-taking conventions) in highly practiced formulaic communication. They will show awareness of the most obvious cultural differences. Through cultural explanations in the textbook and supplementary materials, students will be able to connect cultural concepts to their language learning. This approach encourages critical thinking while sparking their interest in Italian culture.
- The successful student will engage in routine conversations in class - both free form and simulated - with peers. about peer interests and backgrounds. Students write periodic journal entries on relevant thematic topics and compose a composition that highlights the skills learned during the semester. Students engage in semi-formal audio/video recordings to structured questions via the course’s online learning platform. They also read passages and watch short videos on cultural tendencies found in Italy.
- The students’ language and cultural skills are assessed by oral and written tests, as well as by their daily in-class performance. By completing exercises and receiving feedback, they can reflect on mistakes and develop strategies to improve their work.
Topical Outline
- Pronunciation: Rhythm, consonants, vowels, diphthongs, stress, and intonation
- Basic tenses for communication: Present, imperfect, present perfect, and future
- Regular verb conjugations: -are, -ere, and -ire
- High frequencey irregular verbs: essere, avere, stare, andare, venire, uscire, fare, sapere, conoscere, dare, fire, dovere, potere, and voletere
- Vocabulary of useful items: personal possessions, food, family members, clothing, shopping, holidays, and celebrations
- Pronouns: Subject, direct and indirect objects, reflexive, and interrogative pronouns
- Moods: Indicative and imperative
- Vocabulary and structure of conversational topics: Numbers, time, weather, calendar, and coursework
- Readings and culture: Italian language, literature, art, cinema, and popular culture
