Course objectives
- Increase knowledge of Italian in all different areas.
- Through personal direct contact with cultural and societal aspects, relate such experiential knowledge to the theoretical content of the language for a better understanding and a broader awareness.
- Make more insightful comparisons between Italian and one's society, values, traditions and how they can affect the language.
- Obtain a more holistic experience that will contribute to expand personal growth as well as self-awareness within a different cultural situation.
- Stimulate the desire to continue to study Italian, its literature and its culture.
Course design and materials.
As already mentioned, the course will be presented in the traditional classroom setting addressing the essential skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, focusing of course on grammar as well.
Each student will be tested before arrival in order to select the corresponding language course level.
A mid-course evaluation will take place to give both students and instructors the pulse of the situation.
A final evaluation will occur to reflect on the experience and course objectives.
The innovating element is represented by the language tasks given, different according to the level (beginners, intermediate, advanced), that take the student out in the community obliging the use of Italian in order to bring back to the class the information required, analysing the success and the difficulties encountered in the communication process with the new language.
The information content assigned can be chosen from the student's interests or taken from any of the cultural/social themes presented in the course.
Course material will be supplied by the school upon arrival in Italy.
