HU Credits: 4

Degree/Cycle: 1st degree (Bachelor)

Responsible Department: Language Center

Semester: 1st Semester

Teaching Languages: Italian

Campus: E. Safra

Course/Module Coordinator: Language Center

Coordinator Email: languagehu@savion.huji.ac.il

Coordinator Office Hours: by appointment

Teaching Staff:
Mr. Giorgio Fubini

Course/Module description:
The Language Center courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The course is designed for complete beginners, in accordance with A1.1 CEFR outcomes. Classes are conducted in the target language from day one and simultaneously develop oral and written reception, production and interaction skills. The learning process is systematic and gradual, placing emphasis on linguistic and cultural awareness, on mediation and intercultural communication competence, and on developing effective learning strategies, fostering autonomous learning. Learning outcomes are formulated in CAN DO terms, what learners can actually do in the language, in keeping with the CEFR.

Course/Module aims:
- developing a rich communicative repertoire in the target language
- internalizing the language through first-hand experience
- developing nuanced cultural awareness
- developing effective and appropriate intercultural communication skills
- forming a positive and supportive learning environment
- boosting learner confidence
- building the foundations for advanced academic skills in the target language
- developing autonomous learning tools and an awareness to learning processes
- maximizing learning in and outside of the classroom

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- comprehend simple texts without relying on a dictionary.
- identify tangible information from oral and written input (e.g., navigate a website, follow a public announcement, follow text and voice messages).
- introduce themselves at length, orally and in writing.
- provide information in familiar contexts, orally and in writing.
- conduct simple conversations and exchanges in common situations.
- correspond in writing in simplified language.
- identify cultural nuance and act appropriately and effectively in a given situation.
- manage their own learning processes autonomously.
- continue to effectively develop their language skills outside of the classroom.
- integrate into the consecutive course at the Hebrew University or in CEFR-aligned frameworks abroad.

Detailed learning outcomes are available at https://languages.huji.ac.il/cefr

Attendance requirements(%):
100%

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Active and intensive learning, facilitated by the teachers, via exclusive use of the target language. The course takes an action-oriented approach; therefore, all students must be active and work to co-construct meaning, employing oral and written reception, production, interaction and mediation skills. Students are responsible for their own learning processes, inside and outside of classroom. Outcomes depend entirely on preparation (flipped classroom) and on active participation in all sessions. The learning process relies on continuous assessment and learner awareness throughout, centered around oral and written CAN DO tasks and various forms of quizzes. Students receive consistent and detailed feedback, and reflect on their own needs and learning processes, which in turn feed back into their learning. Summative assessment consists of an oral exam towards the end of the semester and a final written exam, which both assess fluency, accuracy and cultural appropriateness.

Course/Module Content:
First week
-Knowing each other
-Greeting people
-Asking people for their names and where they are from
-Giving and asking for phone numbers
-Spelling names
-Communicating the results of simple mathematical operations

Second week
- Giving and asking for the address
- Finding a page in a book
- Asking for and telling what time it is
- Asking for and telling your age
- Telling what languages you speak
- Telling if you work or study or both

Third week
- Asking where you are going to
- Making an appointment with friends
- Starting a phone call and communicating where you are
- Asking friends if they have a car and if they have a free place for you in it
- Making a proposal to go out

Fourth week
-Knowing people in a train
- Asking for a ride
- Understanding cultural event flyers
- Identifying nouns in a text and their gender
- Asking for the meaning of a word

Fifth week
- Talking about studies schedule at the University
- Asking and telling at what time a lesson starts and ends
- Talking about trains timetable
- Asking for information about a train at the train station

Sixth week
- Conversation at a hotel reception

Seventh week
- Asking for and giving opening hours of museums, shops, offices, etc.
- Asking information about bus lines to reach a certain place

Eighth week
- Talking about furnitures, styles of home décor, colours
- Talking about movies, movies directors, actors and genres

Ninth week
- Asking what is somebody’s parents profession
- Talking about the profession of the neighbours
- Invitations

Tenth week
- Accepting or rejecting an invitation

Eleventh week
- Talking about the hour you get up…
- Talking about the way of dressing

Twelfth week
- Talking about the location of objects in a room

Required Reading:
The Language Center courses rely on current learning materials imported from abroad. Towards the opening of the academic year, students registered for the course will receive detailed guidelines re purchasing the book(s) at reduced cost for HUJI students and the manner of distribution. Students must bring the coursebook(s) to every class:

Carlo Guastalla, Ciro Massimo Naddeo, Domani 1, Alma Edizioni

Additional Reading Material:
Additional resources will be published on the course site, in Moodle.

Grading Scheme :
Other 100 %

Additional information:
Grade components:

Writing projects: 25%
Homework in quiz format: 25%
Online quizzes on Moodle: 25% (2 or 3 quizzes)
Listening comprehension exams: 25% (2 exams)


1. All quizzes are conducted at the designated time only and cannot be completed later. In case of extended illness or army reserve duty, students must inform the teacher in writing and coordinate a course of action.

2. All online exams must be submitted on time to ensure the coherence of the learning process. Submitting a language task from early on in the course at the end of the course defeats the purpose, and so forth.

3. There is no final exam for this course.

* The Language Center has partnered with several CEFR-aligned international examination bodies to provide our students with the option of standardized language certification. In Italian we offer the CILS exam from time to time. These exams are external to course requirements; students will receive notice of such options and the participation fees.