Learn Italian
General Information
The principal aim of our program is to provide immediate communicative practice in Italian by combining elements of grammar with conversational opportunities and cultural information. Our small classes enable us to successfully strike this balance. Special attention is focused on the development of speaking and listening skills within authentic and meaningful contexts. As the student progresses, more opportunities to develop writing skills emerge.
The natural sequence for acquiring a language is listening, speaking, reading and, finally, writing. At Washington Academy of Languages we follow this order. Basic vocabulary in Italian is acquired relatively easily because many English words are Latin derivatives. As participants learn to conjugate some fundamental verbs and pair them with the acquired vocabulary, conversational and listening skills are gained rapidly. Italian movies, music, food, and other authentic materials may be used in the classroom at various levels to provide contexts for practical listening and speaking instruction.
Textbooks for levels I - VI: Lazzarino, Peccianti, Aski, Dini, Prego! An Invitation to Italian (Student edition), 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 2008.
Textbooks for levels VII – VIII: Romana Capek-Habekovic, Claudio Mazzola, A vicenda, McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 2008.
Please note, textbooks are not available for purchase from WAL.
ITL 1501 (Italian I)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
By the end of this five-week session, participants will be able to function at a basic level in Italian. The class is conducted in Italian, but occasional clarifications of grammatical concepts and vocabulary may be made in English. Regular practice is provided in comprehension and authentic pronunciation, with a solid basis in fundamental grammar. By the end of this level, participants will have the skills to communicate in a wide variety of conversational situations including; meeting and greeting people, exchanging personal information, asking questions, traveling, eating, shopping, and discussing personal interests. Information about Italian lifestyles and regions are included in this course.
Chapters: 1 - 4
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1502 (Italian II)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian I or instructor's permission.
This course begins with a brief review of the material covered in Italian I and is also appropriate for a person who has been away from Italian for a while but has retained very basic grammar and vocabulary. Grammar introduced at this level includes several irregular verbs, reflexive verbs, direct and indirect object pronouns, adverbs, the simple past tense, and negation. Emphasis is placed on development of fluency and vocabulary in the contexts of Italian culture and participants' personal lives. By the end of this level, participants have expanded self-expression and are able to discuss opinions, plans, and topics in modern Italian culture.
Chapters: 5 - 7
This course may be taken for 4 units of university credit.
ITL 1503 (Italian III)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian II or instructor's permission.
By the end of this level, participants can expect to handle many basic conversational situations with fluency. The course discusses such topics as family life, leisure activities, travel, and Italian culture in greater depth than in Italian II. Basic grammar includes the imperfect tense, comparatives and superlatives, the future verb tenses, and additional irregular verbs. Vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and expressions of time continue to be developed, with increasing ability to discern subtleties in discussing the past and future.
Chapters: 8 - 10
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1504 (Italian IV)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian III or instructor's permission.
At this level, Italian grammar studied includes the pronouns "ne" and "ci", imperatives, indefinite articles, ordinal numbers, the conditional verb tense, possessive and relative pronouns, and forms of negation. Participants also continue to develop vocabulary and to perfect fluency in diverse conversational situations. Discussions and readings focus on Italian culture including arts, religion, politics, and problems such as corruption and organized crime. At the end of this level, students will be able to express and ask opinions on a wide variety of topics.
Chapters: 11 - 14
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1505 (Italian V)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian IV or instructor's permission.
This course begins with an integrative review of the material covered in previous levels and then moves into a study of the remote past verb tense and the subjunctive. Discussion and writing topics include historical and current events in Italy as well as personal histories and plans for the future. The course also provides an overview of regional Italian cultures by means of interactive presentations. By the end of this level, participants will be able to actively direct conversations and initiate relationships in Italian.
Chapters: 15 - 17
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1506 (Italian VI)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian V or instructor's permission.
At this level, the remaining forms of the subjunctive are introduced as is the passive voice. An extensive review and overview of Italian grammar is then conducted to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the basic grammar of the language. Class discussions and activities emphasize active use of the language in different situational contexts including debates on current events, cultural exchanges, discussions relating to professional interests, and other areas determined by participant interest. During these discussions, continued vocabulary development, pronunciation, and fluency are stressed. Topics covered in the readings of this level include current events, comparisons of Italian and American lifestyles including discussions of stereotyping and prejudice, and Italian literature.
Chapters: 18
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1507 (Italian VII)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Italian VI or instructor's permission.
Building on the grammar acquired in first-year Italian, this course aims at increasing accuracy and speed of students' speech and writing. Coursework includes an in-depth review of the present, imperfect, and proximate past verb tenses as well as reflexive, direct and indirect object pronouns. Speaking and writing skills are strengthened through stories, articles, group projects and cultural presentations. By the end of this course, students should be equipped for day-to-day interactions and be able to make requests and address facts in the past and present.
Chapters 1 – 4
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
ITL 1508 (Italian VIII)
30 hours of instruction/5 weeks
Completion of Italian VII or instructor's permission.
Building on Italian 7, this course aims at increasing accuracy and speed of students' speech and writing. Coursework includes an in-depth review of the imperative, future, conditional, and conjunctive verb tenses as well as the pronouns ci, ne and si. Speaking and writing skills are strengthened through videos, role-plays, vocabulary sessions and cultural activities. By the end of this course, students should be able to give polite and casual commands, speculate about the past and present, make plans and predictions, and discuss hypothetical situations.
Chapters 5 - 8
This course may be taken for 4 university quarter credits.
Intermediate Italian Conversation
12 hours of instruction/3 weeks
Designed for students at the intermediate to low advanced level. The focus is on increasing comprehension and fluency in the language, vocabulary building and revision of grammar points. Discussion on topics of interest helps students to express their ideas correctly, clearly and effectively. The course is customized to fit the needs of class members. Great for travelers too!
Class meets for three weeks, 6:30 – 8:30pm