Italian Beginners Year 1

Italian for Beginners is a comprehensive 1-year course designed for individuals with no prior knowledge of Italian. This course aims to equip you with fundamental Italian language skills, aligning with the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The course is tailored to foster community integration, cultural understanding, and social cohesion, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enhance their communicative abilities in a multicultural environment.

By participating in this course, you will not only gain essential language skills but also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of stronger communities. Whether you are planning to live, study or travel in Italian-speaking communities, you will be able to engage more effectively with native speakers, participate more fully in community activities, and appreciate the rich cultural diversity that surrounds them. This aligns with the "Developing Stronger Communities" strand of the Adult Skills Fund, which emphasises the importance of community cohesion and cultural exchange.

The course is structured to provide a balanced mix of 27 teacher-led sessions and a range of independent study projects, ensuring that you have ample opportunities to practice and apply your new skills in real-world contexts.

Topics include:

• Greetings, titles and introductions
• Definite and indefinite articles
• Simple nouns and verbs
• Basic colours and adjectives
• Numbers and the Italian alphabet
• Days of the week
• Booking hotel accommodation
• Formulating questions
• Ordering food and drink
• Compliments and complaints
• Italian Christmas traditions
• Occupations
• Using nouns, verbs and adjectives in conversation
• Telling the time
• Daily routines
• Giving and receiving directions
• Prepositions
• Tourist attractions
• Likes and dislikes
• Negatives
• Past tense
• Holiday activities
• Family tree
• Possessive adjectives and pronouns
• Common tourist situations
• Common items of clothing
• Shopping
• Measurements and quantities
• Reflexive verbs
• Simple weather condition
• Excursions and festivals

This is a Beginners course, so there are no formal entry requirements. Students should start at the beginning of the course in September, however, late enrolments may be considered for students with prior learning in Italian and can be discussed with the tutor.

You should be comfortable with using a computer in order to access learning resources. This course uses Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform to provide you with access to project work and learning resources. You will be provided with login details and basic training in order to access these services.

This is a non-accredited programme, part-funded by the Adult Skills Fund. This course is designed to develop stronger communities by enabling participants to communicate effectively in another European language, promoting cultural understanding, and enhancing social cohesion.

By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in Italian, preparing you for the next year of study, enabling you to communicate effectively in everyday situations and contribute to a more inclusive and integrated community.

Progress in this course will be evaluated through a combination of instructor observation, instructor-led activities and exercises, as well as feedback and discussion with both the instructor and peers.

Homework is a crucial component of this course and will include various assignments, presentations, and activities designed to reinforce classroom learning. Additionally, you are encouraged to dedicate approximately one hour per week to independent study to further enhance your understanding and proficiency in Italian.

There is no work placement required for this course.

The tuition fee for this course can be spread across 3 easy payments of £190 each term. The tutor will recommend a textbook to support your learning which can be purchased online or from a local bookshop. This is not included in the course fee.