Course Name:
Course Code:
Prerequisite:
Italian V Academic
158
Italian IV Academic (156) or Accelerated (157)
Course Description: In this culminating course, students will continue their study of the language with
an emphasis on more advanced situational vocabulary, conversations and structure. Thematic units will
serve as a springboard for more creative spoken and written language exchanges, and the students will
engage in cultural content through which they will further understand that languages and culture are
inseparable. The students will continue to use the target language to acquire additional knowledge.
Previously developed language skills will be reinforced and fine-tuned.
Course Proficiencies: Students who successfully complete this course will have developed sufficient
skill in the following language areas:
Communication
Interpretive Mode: (Understanding and interpretation of spoken or written communication)
1. Derive meaning from interactions with speakers of Italian inside and outside the classroom
setting. (7.1.A.1)
2. Find and use resources to build and expand knowledge base in Italian. (7.1.A.5)
3. Comprehend formal and informal spoken Italian. (7.1.A.4)
4. Follow, with general understanding, oral reports and classroom lectures on non-technical
subjects. (i.e. La richezza della cultura italiana; Le arti; Il mondo degli affair; La societa; I diritti
dell’uomo; Relazioni personali; L’ambiente e problemi ambientali) (7.1.A.4)
5. Understand the main points and some details of conversations between native speakers. (7.1.A.4)
6. Compare and contrast the use of verbal and non-verbal etiquette in the Italian culture with their
own culture to be able to persuade, negotiate and offer advice. (7.1.A.2)
7. Follow the plots of Italian-language television shows, plays and movies and understand the main
ideas of character dialogues. (7.1.A.6)
8. Apply knowledge and skills gained in other content areas to interpret information on topics
related to the Italian culture. (i.e. art, environment, society.) (7.1.A.5)
9. Have immediate recall of a fairly broad range of vocabulary and expressions heard in order to
comprehend and respond orally with ease. (7.1.A.1)
10. Use knowledge and inquiry skills from other areas of the curriculum to acquire additional
knowledge and skills in Italian. (7.1.A.5)
11. Identify the main idea and most supporting details contained in culturally authentic electronic
information sources such as podcasts, videocasts, audio clips, and websites related to targeted
themes. (7.1.A.1, A.4, A.6,)
B. Interpersonal Mode (Direct spoken or written communication)
1. Structure discourse effectively in a cross-cultural manner appropriate to participants (age,
gender), topics, range (stranger vs. intimate), and the physical situation (school meeting,
restaurant, street, etc.) (7.1.B.4)
2. Work both collaboratively and independently in the target language to acquire additional
knowledge and skills in Italian. (7.1.B.1)
3. Interact, with limited social competence, within the Italian culture at home and abroad, exhibiting
sensitivity to common rules of etiquette and customs. (7.1.B.2)
4. Communicate facts and ideas with an accent that is accurate enough not to interfere with
comprehension. (7.1.B.3)
5. Discuss topics of current interest and express personal opinions. (7.1.B.3)
6. Have immediate recall of a fairly broad range of vocabulary in order to speak with a level of
fluency and accuracy that does not impede communication. (7.1.B.3)
7. Both initiate and participate in conversations on everyday topics. (7.1.B.4)
8. Respond spontaneously and appropriately to random questions posed in class. (7.1.B.3)
9. Describe the main characters, setting, and important events from age-appropriate, culturally
authentic selections both orally and in writing. (7.1.B.5)
10. Participate in short conversations related to targeted themes to exchange information using digital
tools such as video conferencing, texting, IMing, Blogging, etc. (7.1.B.3, B.4)
Presentational Mode (Spoken or written communication for an audience)
1. Use writing to organize and express thoughts, and to clarify and explain ideas. (7.1.C.3, C.4)
2. Write a narration or description several paragraphs in length using an introduction, transitions,
and a conclusion. (7.1.C.3, C.4)
3. Present and defend ideas and points of view. (7.1.C.2)
4. Provide appropriate examples and draw conclusions from them. (7.1.C.2)
5. Communicate facts and ideas with an accent that is accurate enough not to interfere with
comprehension. (7.1.C.1, C.4)
6. Narrate, describe, and explain using past, present, and future tenses with minor errors that do not
impede communication. (7.1.C.2)
7. Make an oral presentation on a prepared topic. (7.1.C.1)
8. Propose and support solutions to issues and problems. (7.1.C.1, C.2, C.3)
9. Use knowledge about cultural products and practices to create a multimedia rich presentation,
containing a combination of text, audio, still images, video, interactivity, and animation, on
targeted themes to be shared virtually with a target language audience. (7.2.C.4)
Culture
Interpretive Mode: (Understanding and interpretation of spoken or written communication)
1. Gain a better understanding of their own and Italian cultures by developing knowledge of facts
about the Italian-speaking world, and discovering the meanings important to cultures so that
greater sensitivity and awareness may develop. (7.2.A.1)
2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the aspects of the Italian culture contained in the unit
themes of the course. (7.2.A.1)
3. Recognize and understand verbal and nonverbal cues within the Italian culture. (7.2.A.3)
4. Explore so as to be able to discuss representative works of the diverse Italian-speaking cultures in
many fields of endeavor. (7.2.A.4)
5. Compare and contrast how Italy and the U.S. deal with current world issues. (7.2.A.3)
6. Analyze interrelationships between the language and the culture of a given group of people, as
evidenced in their literary works and communications, as well as in their political, economic, and
religious structures. (7.2.A.3)
7. Use technology to enhance language acquisition and to acquire current cultural information in
order to develop more accurate impressions of the culture studied. (7.2.A.4)
8. Compare and contrast varying perspectives that exist in the Italian culture as seen in television,
film and other forms of media. (7.2.A.4)
Interpersonal Mode: (Direct spoken or written communication)
1. Compare and contrast how Italy deals with societal and human rights issues. (7.2.B.3)
2. Use oral and written Italian in a culturally acceptable manner in order to participate effectively in
everyday situations at home and abroad. (7.2.B.1)
3. Compare and contrast for discussion common social practices in the U.S and Italy related to
universal life events, such as marriage, death. (7.2.B.2)
4. Analyze for discussion relationships among past and current economic and political structures
and their impact on the perspectives of the culture being studied. (7.2.B.5)
5. Discuss culturally authentic selections and movies viewed to demonstrate insights gained into
practices and perspectives of the cultures of the Italian-speaking peoples. (7.2.B.3)
Presentational Mode: (Spoken or written communication for an audience)
1. Engage in a variety of oral and written tasks using age-appropriate culturally authentic selections,
such as summary of the plot and characters, dramatization of principal scenes in the text, and
role-playing a film critic to express opinions about the text. (7.2.C.2)
2. Use technology to enhance language acquisition and to acquire current cultural information in
order to develop more accurate impressions of the culture studied.(7.2.C.1)
3. Express meaning via prepared statements in oral and written presentations. (7.2.C.1, C.2)
Method of Evaluation:
The ability of the students to meet the course proficiencies will be evaluated in the following manner:
1. Quality of participation in formal and informal interactive aural/oral activities in the target
language.
2. Oral assessments in the form of:
 Simulated real-life situational activities (directed or impromptu)
 Directed situational responses
 Oral interviews
 Oral sequence story narrations
3. Projects and reports
4. Topical essays
5. Grammatical accuracy determined by its need in communicating effectively orally and in writing.
Achievement in this area can be additionally measured by:
 Isolated topical/discrete item grammar tests
 Teacher designed activities
6. Interpretive listening and reading assessments
7. Performance-based assessments
8. Student self-assessments
9. Final Culminating Project/Assessment
Resources:
Texts: Prego, Ciao, Italian through film
Libretto: La Traviata