This paper is composed of 2 parts: Translation and Oral A
The translation component of ITA2 develops students’ language skills through targeted practise of translating from and into Italian. The oral skills component of the course exposes students to a variety of language and culture situations to develop their ability to communicate in Italian. Oral classes are taught by a native speaker and are conducted exclusively in Italian.
Translation Through practising translation from Italian, students will develop their comprehension skills, encounter the grammar and vocabulary they have been learning in other Italian language papers in authentic materials, and begin to develop techniques to produce accurate and effective translations. Through translating into Italian, students will have the opportunity to actively use the grammar and vocabulary encountered in their other Italian language papers, to develop confidence and mastery of Italian, and be able to use the language creatively and idiomatically.
Oral A On completion of the course, students are able to present and discuss general aspects of Italian culture and society, and to use basic formal and informal vocabulary in a number of functional language situations.
Materials for the translation component of the course will be provided for students on the paper’s Moodle page. The material for translation into English is drawn from authentic Italian literary sources and is selected to train students’ ability to read, comprehend, and translate, as well as provide an opportunity to gain familiarity with Italian writers. The material for translation into Italian is designed to practise specific lexical and/or grammar points, which are reinforced through language material available on the university virtual learning environment.
Material for Oral A is contained in a portfolio designed and produced by the Section’s language teaching staff. It comprises a selection of authentic material (written texts, video/audio, and visual material) devised to develop and expand students’ ability to communicate in both basic and more complex language situations.
Translation In Lent and Easter terms, students will have weekly translation classes (alternating English->Italian, Italian->English) taught by appropriate language and translation specialists. In class, students will work on selected passages to focus on specific language and translation issues. Classwork will be supported by weekly homework tasks which will be marked and returned.
Oral A Students learn and practice their oral skills during a dedicated fortnightly supervision, working in groups of usually three students, using specifically selected authentic material. All supervisions are taught by native speakers.
Please see here for the ITA2 Moodle site.
Examination Translation At the end-of year-exam, students will be required to translate a c.250-word passage from Italian to English, and a c.250-word passage from English to Italian. The in-person examination lasts two hours.
Oral A The oral examination is designed to test pronunciation, reading skills, and basic conversation. Students are asked to read out from a passage, give a presentation on a chosen topic, answer questions on their presentation, and contribute to general conversation. The examination lasts about 15 minutes.
Dott. Claudia Domenici, Associate Professor in Italian | |
Dr Ruth Chester, Teaching Associate in Italian |
