The primary aim of the course is to provide students with a sound basis for learning to communicate effectively and accurately in modern Italian. Practice is given in all four basic skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A second important aim is to introduce students to contemporary Italian life and culture. By the end of the second semester, students will have learned many of the basic structures of the language, have an active vocabulary as well as the ability to recognize many more words in speech and writing. They will have mastered the basic features of the sound system and be able to communicate orally and in writing on many everyday topics.
Students learn to distinguish levels of formality through customary greetings.
The presentation of the Italian alphabet and entire sound system at this early stage enables students to spell, as well as pronounce any and all words in Italian. Numbers are introduced in three different phases. They further learn to identify themselves in terms of civil status and family. The formation of plurals is introduced along with the definite articles and a basic expression of possession. In conjunction with the vocabulary of the city, students learn to use both simple and articulated prepositions.