Italian Level 1

Italian Level 1

Course Description

Level 1 Classes: This course is suitable for people with no prior knowledge of the language, who would like to begin to communicate in Italian, particularly in a holiday context. By the end of the course, you will be able to formulate simple statements and questions in an everyday setting and understand the most basic written and spoken language. 

In Level 1, we work at the A1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)*. 

Term duration:

 10 x weekly classes on Tuesday evenings, 6:15pm to 8:30pm. 

Please note: no class on Tue 27 Oct, your last class will finish at 8:15pm.

Communicative themes may include: 

• Providing and understanding basic personal information: Greeting people, introducing yourself and your friends and family, where you/they live, where you/they are from, work, nationality and languages spoken. Eliciting similar information from an Italian speaker. 

• Talking or writing about food: Shopping for food and saying how much you need. 

• Eating out, making sense of a menu to order food and drinks, asking for the bill and inviting someone to go out for a meal. 

• Being able to spell, count, and tell the time.  

Key grammatical points covered may include: 

• Present tense 1 (regular and most common verbs. E.g. Lavoro in ufficio 

• Adjectives (1) E.g. Un pizza calda. 

• Formulating questions and negative sentences. E.g. Parli italiano? No, non parlo italiano. 

• Expressing belonging (1) E.g. mia sorella, mio fratello 

• Articles. E.g. un panino, la pasta. 

• Quantity and intensity adverbs E.g. è molto bello. 

• Reflexive verbs E.g. mi chiamo Giulia. 

• Prepositions with places E.g. di Napoli, a Palermo. 

Please note that we adapt the pace of the class to the needs and interests of the group, so the listed themes and grammar may be subject to change and are not meant to be exhaustive. 

Homework may be set between classes, though we do understand that the constraints of everyday life may make it difficult to complete at times. You are under no obligation to complete the homework, but revision of the weekly lessons is strongly encouraged to allow you to make excellent progress and benefit fully from the course. 

Each week you will practice most if not all four communicative skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). You will be encouraged to take an active part in all activities which can include games, pair, and group work as well as individual tasks. We aim to establish a friendly, inclusive atmosphere in the classroom so that all students can express themselves freely and increase their confidence. 

*CEFR levels indicated on our level descriptors are not a guarantee that you can take the associated Italian exam for this level. If you would like to take an external Italian exam, please speak to your tutor to discuss what they think would be most appropriate