ITAL 102 – The Florence Experience II

The Florence Experience II is an interdisciplinary course that builds on one semester of previous work. It focuses on achieving a post-basic level in cultural and linguistic-communicative competencies regarding familiar matters, personal experiences, studies, work and daily routine while introducing students to various, relevant aspects of contemporary Florentine life and Italian culture. Students will develop communicative skills both to easily understand and make themselves understood during interaction with native speakers. The course offers students an interdisciplinary experience in language learning. As is well known, this is possible only by direct immersion in the target culture. Since language and culture are deeply connected (language IS culture and culture IS language), each class will introduce students to linguistic skills such as communicative structures, grammar structures, vocabulary and pronunciation.

In addition, it will provide them with a deeper knowledge of Italian culture. The city of Florence will thus become a cultural laboratory; Florence stands out as a most appealing mix of contemporary Italian culture to be explored by students. In addition to classroom work, which is based on the standard content of the second semester of language study, the course includes a series of on-site meetings. These will range from interviews with Florentines to field trips and treasure hunts at the most liveliest markets in town, as well as meetings with students from the “Università degli Studi di Firenze”. ISI Florence students will also meet professional actors who are tasked with conducting language/culture in-class activities.

At the end of this course, students will acquire a post-basic level in cultural and linguistic-communicative competences regarding familiar matters, personal experiences, studies, work and daily routine, while introducing students to various, relevant aspects of contemporary Florentine life and Italian culture. Students will develop communicative skills both to easily understand and make themselves understood during interaction with native speakers.