Italian - 3MMITAS1

Goal(s)

In general, the teaching of Italian is based on the idea that learning a foreign language cannot be an end in itself; it is rather a privileged means of acquiring an indispensable tool for intercultural communication. The development of communication techniques, the broadening of knowledge, the opening onto the Italian world must all contribute to the personal development of the engineering student. It is obvious, however, that these objectives will not be met if the student’s personal involvement is not sufficiently high

More precisely and according to the level the objectives are: to be able to present oneself and speak about what one likes to do, to be capable of extracting the essential information from written and oral documents and transmitting it orally or in writing, to be able to speak on a current affairs topic, to incite an audience to listen to a talk on a subject presented in a limited time.

Classes could be divided into four levels.
Beginners. General objective: to acquire the basic tools of communication through simple situations taken from daily life. Introduction to Italian culture.
Pre-Intermediate. General objective: to consolidate the acquisitions of level 1 in order to advance from « survival communication » to a broader context. To develop the knowledge of Italian culture
Intermediate. General objective: to develop oral and written expression in more complex situations; to approach the socio-economic and cultural environment in Italy.
Advanced. General objective: to encourage student autonomy through work in complex communication contexts: report writing, oral presentations, debates, project presentation, etc. To develop the knowledge of the Italian world today.

Content(s)

Semester 1
Activities proposed for intermediate and advanced levels:
Oral expression
• To summarize a short press article
• Presentation of a press article or a topical subject, in pairs + Debate

Listening comprehension
Short video and audio reports

Reading comprehension
Press articles

Written expression
1 or 2 marked homework assignments (reports, essays, compositions, etc.)

Grammatical revision according to the subjects

1 mid-term test (30’)

Semester 2
1) For pre-intermediate and low intermediate levels:
• to present a personality of the Italian culture + debate

2) For intermediate and advanced levels:
• Presentation of a work of art: music, painting, piece of architecture, film, advert... + debate, in pairs
• Or a press review, in pairs + debate
• Or a presentation of television news, in pairs + debate

Listening comprehension
Short video and audio reports

Reading comprehension
Press articles and/or a short story (in common)

Written expression
1 or 2 marked homework assignments (reports, essays, compositions, etc.)

Grammatical revision according to the subjects

1 mid-term test (30’)

All students, except for beginners, will take a written test in order to make up groups according to level. The lessons demand an active participation from the students for the work done in class as well as a personal and regular work outside of lesson time.