Modern Foreign Language

Brief Description:

This course is suitable for advanced students who have already reached a good level of fluency either by attending formal classes or by living, working or having frequent holidays in Italy. A sound knowledge of the language structure and basic grammar is required, together with the ability to read and understand original materials. You are expected to contribute actively to class discussions on a wide range of topics including current affairs, social issues, literature and cinema. You should also be able to demonstrate a high level of interest not only for the Italian language, but also for the Country’s history, culture and society.
The main aim of the course is to teach you how to use and manipulate the language to high standards mainly through the development of speaking skills. Other activities will include research on specific topics, reading of newspapers and literature, presentations, listening exercises and written homework. There will also be some revision of specific elements of grammar upon students’ request.
The course is priced for one term (9 weeks); To complete the full course and cover all the learning outcomes listed below you will need to attend all three terms (there is no obligation to attend more than one term).

Please note: This course will be online. To participate in online classes you will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a computer/laptop/tablet with fully updated browser (preferably Google Chrome).

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

The course is suitable for those of you who have already studied Italian for several years. A good understanding of the structure and basic grammar of the language is required, together with the ability to read and understand original materials. You are expected to show a high level of interest not only for the Italian language, but also for the country’s history, culture and society.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:
express confidently your own opinions on a variety of topics
• read and comment on articles from the national press
• read some modern/contemporary literature and perform a critical appraisal
• appreciate the differences between regions and their inhabitants
• use the language outside the context of the classroom
• construct more complex sentences using a variety of verb forms and tenses

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Learners will have the opportunity to develop the four language skills to a higher level, enabling them to consolidate and reinforce the language previously learned. The focus will be on conversation but grammar will also be an important component of the course and there will be homework set each week to consolidate the understanding of grammar structures. The course is based on interactive and communicative methods.  Class discussions on a variety of topics will take place on a regular basis and learners will be strongly encouraged to take an active part in the lessons.

Please note: This course will be online. To participate in online classes you will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a computer/laptop/tablet with fully updated browser (preferably Google Chrome).

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

This course is a progression from this year’s Intermediate course and is suitable for learners who have already studied Italian for about three years or who have a good understanding of the spoken language.  

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be able to understand and interact with Italian people, using your language skills actively and creatively in meaningful communication
• Expand on grammar structures, focusing on everyday language usage
• Expand on cultural knowledge of contemporary Italy 
• Reading short stories about famous Italian women ( such as Rita Levi Montalcini. Grazia eledda, Maria Montessori,  Sofia Loren etc

For the first session you will need to:

A ring binder, paper, dividers and pens.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be? 

Progression onto a Lower Advanced course. The Adult Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

This course is a progression from the Intermediate course and is suitable for students who have already studied Italian for at least three years or who feel confident in understanding the language. Learners will have the opportunity to develop the four language skills to a more advanced level, enabling them to understand authentic materials from the Italian media and modern literature. The course will be based on interactive and communicative methods and will be taught entirely in Italian. A variety of activities will be used, including group discussions, reading of slightly longer texts on cultural topics, looking in particular at some Italian cities and some famous people who have played a vital role in shaping the thoughts, art or literature of the country.
Conversation on a variety of topics will take place on a regular basis and learners will be strongly encouraged to participate actively in lessons.
We may look at a famous Italian film and discuss it as a class, with particular reference to the society and historical context in which it is set.
The course is priced for 10 weeks (one term); To complete the full course and cover all the learning outcomes listed below you will need to attend all three terms (but there is no obligation to attend more than one term).

Please note: This course will be online. To participate in online classes you will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a computer/laptop/tablet with fully updated browser (preferably Google Chrome).

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

Several years of constant progression through various levels of language competence or a proficient level of knowledge of the language.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:
● Be able to understand and interact with Italian people, using your language skills actively and creatively in
meaningful communication
● Expand on grammar structures, focusing on everyday language usage.
● Gain a wider understanding of some aspects of Italian culture, literature, music and the arts
● Continue with the reading of a novel together and subsequent discussion. Students are generally encouraged to summarize the novel’s main points in each chapter. The book studied will be decided at the beginning of the year.

Extra costs on the course

Textbook, materials or equipment:

For the first session you will need to bring:

Writing material, a pen and an enthusiastic and open minded frame of mind!

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Your tutor will advise you.

The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

About Your Tutor:

Olga Joy
Olga is a native Italian speaker and studied modern languages at University in Rome. Olga has taught Italian evening classes at all levels for many years as well as teaching Italian in schools in Cambridge. She has worked as an examiner for UCLES and Edexcel and as a translator and interpreter both in Italy and the UK.

This Japanese course is for absolute beginners to develop basic speaking and listening skills in everyday situations, to read and write Hiragana and Katakana as well as recognise some Kanji, to help you speak with confidence.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

No previous experience or knowledge is required.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the first term you will have the opportunity to:
use greetings, make introductions, and give personal information
order drinks and snacks at a coffee shop
offer someone a drink …. and to accept or refuse
ask for and give directions
find out about places and how to get there
read and write Hiragana and Katakana

About Your Tutor:

Yukiko Isono has been teaching Japanese in the UK since 1980 and has developed Japanese teaching methods for adult learners. She is the author of “BBC Talk Japanese”.

Extra costs on the course, for example text book, materials or equipment

Textbook: “BBC Talk Japanese” ISBN: 978-1-40668-019-5
・Workbook: “SHIN NIHONGO NO KISO KANA WORKBOOK”
ISBN: 9784906224289
Published by 3A Corporation,
Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS)

For the first session you will need to have available:

Textbook: “BBC Talk Japanese” ISBN: 978-1-40668-019-5
・Workbook: “SHIN NIHONGO NO KISO KANA WORKBOOK”

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

This course is suitable for those who have completed beginning and intermediate-level studies, to reinforce modern Japanese grammar and provide a deeper understanding of Japanese language. What you learn will reflect the realities of Japanese as it is actually used. On completion of this course, learners will have more confidence understanding Japanese Language.

OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE:

By the end of the 8 weeks course you will have the opportunity to learn:
Potential verbs
Want, 欲しい
Giving and receiving
Transitive pairs
Honorific language, 敬語, 丁寧語
Extra-modest and humble Expressions謙譲語
Questions within Larger Sentences
Passive Sentences
Causative sentences
Causative-passive sentences

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED:

This course is for learners who have been developing the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, in order to cultivate overall competence in Japanese.

EXTRA COSTS ON THE COURSE FOR EXAMPLE TEXT BOOK, MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT:

Text book: Genki 2, an Integrated course in Elementary Japanese ISBN978-4-7890-1443-4
Or other Japanese textbook with Japanese grammar

FOR THE FIRST SESSION YOU WILL NEED:

It is highly recommended that you prepare for the first online lesson by reading about Potential verbs, and have writing materials at hand.

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, WHAT MIGHT YOUR NEXT STEPS BE?

Adult Learn and Train will be offering continuation courses. If it is still unsafe to return to the classroom, a further online course may be provided.

ABOUT YOUR TUTOR:

Yukiko Isono has been teaching Japanese in the UK since 1980 and has developed Japanese teaching methods for adult learners. She is the author of “BBC Talk Japanese”.