CoursePlanner

Introduction to Italian Language and Culture (2026/2027: Semester 2 – Spring)

Course aim

This course aims at providing students with a level of Italian to use familiar expressions and basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type: they will introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. Furthermore, they will becoming familiar with aspects of Italian culture and society.

The language of instruction will be Italian, supported by English.

At the end of his course students will have completed the A1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages. They will be able to:

Understand spoken language (listen) from media and spontaneous conversations. Students will interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Understand written language (reading) in texts of the general life (greetings, habits, needs, frequency and describing places, persons, and experiences in the present).
Write general texts about personal information, daily routines, preferences, and choices.
Interact orally in Italian to describe experiences and events in present and in past. Students will be able to introduce themselves and others and ask answer questions about personal details, daily routines, preferences, and choices.
Compare similarities and differences regarding habits, values, norms, and practices of the target culture and their own, while demonstrating an intercultural awareness and understanding when they communicate.

Relationship between assessment and learning goals:

Weekly assignments: learning goals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Mid-term test: learning goals 1, 2 and 3

Final test: learning goals 1, 2 and 3

Oral exam: learning goals 1, 2, 4 and 5

Group project: learning goals 1, 2, 4 and 5

Course content

New course code and title from Fall 2025 onward
The level and content of this course remain largely the same as the previous version UCHUMITA10 Beginner Italian. There are no entry requirements for this course.

If you want to proceed to a higher level, choose UCHUMITA21 Intermediate Italian Language and Culture. This was previously called UCHUMITA11 Italian Language and Culture I.

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The course focuses on communication, students will therefore work with linguistic content (with an explicit reflection on grammar and vocabulary), but also will develop skills to understand cultural and pragmatic elements that are key in specific communicative contexts. To achieve this, class and homework activities are designed to prompt the use of authentic language, and requires students to complete meaningful tasks (presentations, activities, and projects) using the target language.

Assessment is primarily based on task outcome (i.e., the appropriate completion of tasks) rather than simply accuracy of language forms. This helps building up fluency in the target language and boosting student confidence. In addition to improving their command of Italian by speaking it in class, a variety of activities will increase student’s knowledge of Italian culture and society.

Format

Contact hours focus on language practice in line with the textbook chapters. Students will mainly work in pairs and small groups.

Students are required to complete obligatory self-study assignments and preparation before class and are expected to take part during the lessons as well as in group tasks. During language classes the classroom language is Italian, though explanations will be given in English when necessary.

Class time is not time to study but to practice what has been assigned for that session and ask the teacher for possible clarification. At this level studying your vocabulary and grammar daily is important in order to actively participate in class.