UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES
& INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Course Units 2015-2016
Italian for Business and Current Affairs
Prerequisite for entry
Successful completion of Italian Syllabus D at the UCL CLIE, a high ‘A’ level grade or if you have a very good grasp of the
language and are able to conduct a conversation without difficulty.
Course duration
20 x 2-hour classes.
Self-Study
80 hours in total.
Course codes
LCIT6005, LCITG005, LCITM005, LCIT6045, LCITG045, LCITM045 (together with Italian syllabus D), LCIT6056, LCITG056
and LCITM056 (together with Italian Current Affairs and Culture).
Aims and Objectives
The course is designed for advanced level students. It teaches specialised vocabulary to enable participants to use their
language skills in a professional environment, such as meetings and conferences, as well as covering related topics such
as current affairs and the latest trends in Italian society. The course will enhance knowledge of Italian life, society and
business culture using complex and linguistically accurate structures (different types of discourse, register).
Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context. Language learning skills,
including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be further enhanced. Various transferable
skills will also be covered.
Functions
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expressing opinions, critical topic-related comments;
debating, commenting, negotiating;
suggesting, accepting, refusing;
describing, defining;
composing written pieces of information for different purposes;
conducting presentations on complex specialised topics.
Course Content
Main topics/themes to be covered
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Society: newspapers and the media;
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Italy: a multicultural society and racial conflicts;
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The environment: Domeniche a piedi; inquinamento e cambiamenti climatici;
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Role of the state in the future economy;
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Brief outline of recent Italian history;
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Recent changes in the Italian society.
Skills
Reading
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reading for gist, scanning for specific information;
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in-depth analysis of economic topics in major newspapers/magazines.
Writing
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essays;
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formal business letters;
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analysis and review of articles;
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note-taking from presentations;
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writing up presentations;
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CVs and covering letters.
Listening
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radio, TV, audio- and video-tapes;
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presentations;
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listening exercises on corporate affairs and economics.
Speaking
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formal and informal discussions, debates, round table;
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presentations;
role-plays.
Linguistic Structures
Discourse Strategies
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analysing/comparing texts from various sources (different text types);
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preparing oral contributions for different audiences;
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textual cohesion.
Main Aspects of These Strategies
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structuring (logical structures);
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linking devices (lexical, grammatical);
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stylistic levels and their usage;
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passive;
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subjunctives;
Learning Resources
Business and Current Affairs
Syllabus D+ Business and Current Affairs
Business, Current Affairs and Culture
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Contatto Volume 2B + CD Audio B2, (Loescher) 2009 pp. 224 cod. 4141 – ISBN: 9788820141417
E book edition:
http://www.scuolabook.it/rosella-bozzone-costa-chiara-ghezzi-monica-piantoni-contatto-volume-2-b-cd-audioloescher-editore-4141e.html

Collins Pocket Dictionary in colour (Collins) – ISBN: 9780007485505
OR

Italian Dictionary – Concise Edition Garzanti)
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Authentic material from various sources: Newspapers, journals, magazines, audio- and video-tapes.
In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials available for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.