Italian 5 (Level 7)

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Nicolette David
• Prerequisites: language skills equivalent to A-level plus two years, or CEFR B2+*
• Assessment: two pieces of coursework (0%), an in-class written assessment (30%) and presentation, role play or interview (30%) and a 3500-word independent literature review (40%)

This module will develop your language learning, including advanced academic writing skills which will allow you to produce an extended piece of writing in Italian.

Leading to CEFR stage C1 (Advanced)/C2 (degree level)*, and beyond, this module consolidates the development of oral and written skills, with an emphasis on appropriateness and accuracy. You will analyse a variety of authentic texts, documents and audio-visual materials, as well as producing original work in Italian. You will also make use of off-air TV recordings and the internet. The module allows you to develop advanced academic writing skills, presenting and engaging with a range of academic positions on a chosen topic and situating your research project within this context in an extended piece of writing which is developed in tandem with your MA Research Project module.

* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please note: this is only an approximate equivalence.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• understand without difficulty any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided you have time to get familiar with the accent
• read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as specialised articles and literary works
• take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms
• express yourself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely
• backtrack and restructure around a problem so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it
• present a clear, smoothly flowing description or argument in a writing style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure
• write clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style
• write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure
• write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.