Spring 2025 - ITAL 100 B100

Introductory Italian I (3)

Class Number: 5919

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to Italian for students with no previous background in the language. Introduces basic oral and written skills, and cultural competence. (A1 level of CEFR). Students with previous Italian training should contact the department for assessment and placement. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Welcome to ITALIAN 100! BENVENUTI! This course is for you if you wish to learn a new language, to communicate in Italian with simple and useful sentences, fall in love with the Italian culture and language. You will learn “la bella lingua”, the beautiful language in a fun and interactive class atmosphere. 

This course is for beginners and focuses on developing basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) in Italian. Elements of grammar, syntax, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions as well as aspects of Italian customs and culture will be taught in the context of everyday dialogues and texts. Accurate pronunciation and clear sentence patterns will be stressed. Students will be exposed to authentic Italian material from films, songs, websites, and will have the opportunity to practice their listening and speaking skills on a daily basis.

Regular attendance and preparation for each day’s activities and group work is expected.

PLEASE NOTE: ITAL 100 is designed for students with no (or very little) previous knowledge of Italian. Students whose first language is Italian, or those who received their secondary education in an Italian-speaking community may not be admitted to this course. Students who have had some initial training in Italian should consult with the instructor regarding placement at the appropriate level. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

To prepare students to communicate simply but effectively in Italian through the development of four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – as well as to develop a knowledge of Italian culture. Specifically, upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • provide basic information in Italian about themselves, their families, interests, likes and dislikes, and daily activities;
  • participate in simple conversation on everyday topics (e.g. weather, meeting new people, school, shopping, etc.);
  • read edited texts on familiar topics; understand the main ideas, and pick out important information from "authentic texts" (e.g. menus, signs, train schedules, etc.);
  • complete forms requesting general information, write letters and postcards providing simple information;
  • provide general information about Italy (e.g. geography, weather, food, etc.);
  • use and understand essential vocabulary related to everyday life (e.g. days of the week, colors, numbers, months, seasons, time of day, stores, family members, modes of transportation, etc.)
  • produce Italian with enough grammatical accuracy and accurate pronunciation to be comprehensible to an Italian speaker accustomed to speaking with non-natives.

Grading

  • Attendance & Participation + LinguaMeeting 5%
  • Online Homework (LingroHub) 20%
  • Compositions 20%
  • Unit Quizzes 40%
  • Final Oral Exam (in-class) 15%

NOTES:

Method of delivery:

The class will be delivered in a blended format, consisting of an in-person in 3-hour block once a week supported by on platform (Canvas & al) asynchronous learning. The course runs on a flipped classroom model – meaning students responsible for exploring, learning and practicing key concepts (grammar and especially vocabulary) ahead of class meeting time. There are vocabulary, grammar, writing and communicative activities assigned for each lesson. In class, students practice communicative activities, build their speaking skills, and improve their confidence in using the language. When necessary, additional time will be spent on difficult points (fine-tuning and troubleshooting). Overall, classroom meetings work as workshops in which students will have the opportunity to use the language in meaningful activities and interactions.

NOTE: ITAL 100 may be applied towards the Italian Certificate or the Minor in Italian Studies.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

 “PassaParola” – digital program, available through https://lingrolearning.com/


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.