Introduction:

Italian language is a descendant of the Latin language and a member of the romance languages. Italian is the official language in Italy and San Marino. There are other countries which have Italian language as one of their official languages namely: Vatican and Switzerland.

There are about 65 millions of native Italian speakers and 14 million speaking Italian as their second language. Italian is the third most spoken language in the European Union.  Italian is also one of the official languages Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Italian is the lingua franca in the Catholic hierarchy. Italian is the fourth most taught foreign language in the world and is considered to be the language of music.

 

Importance & Opportunity:

Italy has a well sustained and growing economy. There are many companies which have moved to Italy and are seeking employees who know both English and Italian. Most people in Mauritius already know spoken and written English, learning Italian will create opportunities for a global career.

Being of the language of music, food, art and culture, learning Italian will help you acquire and enhance your knowledge in different field of your interest. For a career in the tourism sector and other fields like the BPO sector (in Mauritius), knowing Italian will increase your chance to get a job.  The BPO sector in Mauritius is not only call centers but also data processing and different jobs in the accounting sector.

 

Course Content:

The core curriculum the language will be standardized based on the Common European Framework for Languages.

The competencies mentioned below will give learners all the abilities, skills, aptitude, and expertise needed to be a proficient and fluent speaker. Our goal for our students is to achieve full competency in four different fields of communication. This is what we call the 4SC’s.

Semantic competency: the speaker must know the linguistic systems: pronunciation, vocabulary, language structure and syntax. However, there should be no time limits when learning a language. This knowledge should be a natural result of the linguistic methods used in class and through daily interactive activities.

Speech competency: the selection, sequence and arrangement of ideas expressed must be eloquent and clear. It deals with the language structure, articulation and coherence of words.

Strategic competency: the speaker must have strategies that help fill in blanks in a conversation; that is, the way the person finds ways around gaps in understanding a speaker, or expressing an idea.

Social-cultural competency: related to extra-linguistic elements, social-cultural competency deals with style properties (voice inflexions, tone, etc.) and non-verbal language (hands or eyes movements, and, in general, how the body moves in a determinate conversation).

 

For Beginners

The students will be participating in an instructive program teaching them the basics of the new language and they are expected to acquire an intermediary level by the end. The course is based on the European framework A1, A2 and specific job oriented skills as demonstrated below;

 

A1 & A2 basics

  • Alphabet / Pronunciation
  • Greetings & presentation
  • Numbers / Articles & plural
  • Days & months / Time & date
  • Vocabulary directions & weather
  • Adjectives & possessive pronouns / Demonstrative pronouns
  • Prepositions
  • Food & habits
  • Verbs / Future
  • Housing & transport
  • Conjunctions / passive voice
  • Reading & conversation
  • Types of economic industries
  • Irregular verbs / Dictations

 

Job oriented skills (Optional)

  • Develop proficiency skills in speaking, writing, listening and reading.
  • Analyze and use basic grammar as a tool for effective communication.
  • Develop language learning strategies and skills – building techniques.
  • Understanding different cultural aspects of the language
  • Speaking on the phone with a client
  • Understanding the customer needs and responding back correctly.

Notional Study Hours – 42 hours

Duration of Course – 6 months

Hours per Week – 2 hours

Fees – Rs 15 000

Number of students per group – 10(Max)

Advanced Level

The programme based on the development of written expression, spoken fluency and presentation skills, focusing on oral expression and group work; vocabulary work; written expression; oral presentations; laboratory and language work.

 

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:

    • Identify a variety of verb tenses and moods and reproduce verbs and other linguistic elements correctly; relate grammatical rules to a given context; write passages of medium complexity.

 

    • Compose brief essays on a variety of subjects; construct a variety of texts based on work done in class; summarise the meaning of texts; analyse short texts; write and deliver presentations.

 

    • Construct sentences and passages based on linguistic expressions encountered in class; complete exercises using various aspects of language; employ vocabulary suited to a particular topic or area of le use; use relevant linguistic concepts.

 

    • Identify linguistic elements of a given structure; apply grammatical rules to written and spoken expression; determine how linguistic rules aid communication; detect patterns in linguistic usage; recognize grammatical rules in use.

 

    • Organise information in a coherent and meaningful manner; present information in a coherent and meaningful manner; apply relevant linguistic concepts to phrases, sentences and longer texts; demonstrate the linguistic meaning and usage of expressions; communicate at an intermediate level of linguistic complexity.

 

    • Produce a variety of texts based on work covered in class; summarise the content of texts; analyse various aspects of texts; prepare a variety of compositions; deliver presentations on a particular topic; work in consultation with others; act as part of a team.

 

    • Demonstrate intermediate linguistic competence; communicate ideas, opinions and feelings of medium complexity; transmit relevant information; appraise data and opinions; show intercultural awareness.

 

    • Complete continuous assessment and class assignments correctly; answer exam questions with relevant and precise information based on course work completed throughout the semester.

Notional Study Hours – 48 hours

Duration of Course – 6 months

Hours per Week – 2 hours

Fees – Rs 18 000

Number of students per group – 10(Max)