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Italian Language and Cultures: Beginner - LAN00090I

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Learning a language can be a transformative and enriching experience. Both the process and the outcomes are beneficial at various levels, from increased neuroplasticity to improving your overall academic performance, fostering empathy and intercultural awareness, and enhancing your career opportunities. This course is aimed at students who have no or little previous knowledge of Italian. The module aims to take students rapidly to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken Italian.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25
B Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to communicate and interact in Italian over the course of a semester. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at beginner level, to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities and tasks emphasising three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video, and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and Italian.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Understand everyday expressions and short, simple informational material and texts (e.g. lifestyle, hobbies, sports, travel).

  • Produce short simple phrases about people and places and about themselves (e.g. name, address, family, nationality) and describe themselves as well as simple aspects of their everyday life in a series of basic sentences prepared in advance.

  • Interact in a simple way and to ask and answer simple questions about themselves and their daily routines.

  • Recognise basic cultural differences (e.g. differing ways of numbering, measuring distance, telling the time, etc.) and establish basic social contact by using the simplest everyday polite forms of greetings, farewells, and introductions.

  • Reflect upon language use and justify linguistic choices.

  • Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and resources.

Module content

Topics may include:

  • Introducing oneself (family, friends, study, or work) in simple terms and understanding when others tell you about themselves.

  • Describing people, places, objects, and situations.

  • Telling the time and date.

  • Ordering food and drinks, booking a table, and understanding menus.

  • Asking the way and understanding directions.

  • Making travel arrangements, buying tickets, and checking travel options.

  • Talking about past events.

  • Finding out social etiquette in various situations that might differ from other countries.

  • Feeling confident about pronouncing Italian correctly.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The written exam will include one or two questions aimed at assessing students’ ability to reflect on language use and justify their responses and choices when using the language (in English) and a task related to students’ ability to monitor their own learning.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

Students’ performance will be monitored through formative work throughout the semester and assessed via end-of-semester exams. Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.