ITAL 101 – The Florence Experience I

Formerly called ITAL 101 – The Florence Experience I: Beginning Italian I

The Instructors
Catia Santi (coordinator), Emanuela Agostini, Serena Baldini, Carlo Lorini

Description
This is an introductory interdisciplinary course in Italian that focuses on achieving a basic level of cultural and linguistic-communicative competence (speaking, writing, reading, and understanding) in regard to familiar contexts, everyday life activities, and basic interaction with native speakers. At the same time, it introduces students to various relevant aspects of contemporary Florentine life and Italian culture. Also, each class introduces students to linguistic skills such as communicative structures, grammar structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

In addition to classroom work (which is based on the standard content of the first semester of language study), the course includes a series of on-site meetings. These range from interviews with Florentines to field trips and treasure hunts at the most lively markets in town, as well as meetings with students from the “Università di Firenze” and language/culture in-class activities with professional actors, directors, and playwrights.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, students should be able to:

– Comprehend spoken Italian in simple dialogues and conversations (recorded and in authentic context) related to daily life situations such as meeting new people (at the restaurant, at the market, in a clothing store, etc.), asking for directions, and talking about past events.
– Read and understand short written Italian texts (emails, dialogues, simple informative texts ) about topics such as typical Italian food, family life in Italy, Italy’s geography, Italian cities, Italian fashion, and physical descriptions.
– Speak Italian to ask and give personal and basic information; express likes, dislikes, and needs; have simple conversations in daily life situations and places (e.g., cafès, restaurants, food markets, and fashion stores); talk about family, free time and school; ask for directions; describe daily activities; talk about past events.
– Write simple texts such as paragraphs, short dialogues, and compositions on familiar topics.
Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.

Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.

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