Italian A1 part 2, Intensive Beginners, SA 2026 Mendrisio

Entrance test
All higher level courses require knowledge of material covered in other courses. A definitive decision about admission can consequently be taken only after the entrance test organised the first day. The lecturer will address participants who chose the wrong level to the correct one after the first lesson. The prerequisites of the A1 part 2 level course are: numeri, articoli determinativi e indeterminativi singolari e plurali, plurale dei nomi, pronomi personali e riflessivi, ausiliari, esserci, verbi regolari e irregolari al presente, verbi riflessivi, concordanza degli aggettivi, aggettivi e pronomi possessivi, interrogativi.

Course content
Differenza tra sapere e conoscere, differenza tra andare e venire, introduzione al condizionale, gli avverbi di frequenza, gli avverbi di modo, i verbi fraseologici, le preposizioni semplici e articolate, l’imperativo regolare e irregolare, l’introduzione al passato prossimo, l’espressione aver bisogno di, i verbi riflessivi (ripasso), l’avverbio di luogo ci, il verbo piacere, i partitivi, gli indefiniti nessuno, poco, alcuni, un po’, molto, troppo, gli aggettivi e i pronomi dimostrativi questo e quello, i nomi irregolari, gli interrogativi (ripasso).

Culture
Culture is a major and inseparable component of language learning. To complement the language courses, the programme includes a guided city tour, a guided museum visit and a screening of an Italian film.

Study material
The course materials are provided through the platform iCorsi3. Students should bring their laptop to every lesson.

Handbook
The course textbook is not provided by the University and must be purchased by students before the start of the course. Title: Marco Mezzadri, “Italiano Plus A1-A2”, Volume 1, Bonacci editore, 2015, ISBN 9788820108816

Interact in the most common situations of everyday life
Candidates must possess the necessary ability to fulfill the essential communicative requirements of normal everyday situations. The course is in fact intended for those students who have a basic knowledge of the Italian language and attended an absolute beginner A1 level course already.

Course details
The free of charge intensive A1 part 2 level course (CEFR A1 part 2) encourages to get fully involved in the language for two weeks. The morning class focus on grammar and writing whereas the afternoon class focus on improving listening and speaking skills, expanding vocabulary and developing confidence. By the end of the course students will be able to employ simple sentences and expressions when dealing with various situations in daily life.

Semestral course
USI students and professionals of the Accademia willing to continue studying Italian free of charge after the Intensive course can apply for the Corso elementare 2 extensive course (CEFR A2 level) held throughout the Semester on Mendrisio Campus.

In presence

Mode
The learning programme is in person and held on campus. The course takes place over two weeks and comprises 30 hours of instruction per week, from Monday to Friday, for a total of 60 hours.

Attendance
Regular and active attendance of at least 75% of the course duration is required.

Final test
Different assessment procedures are conducted during the course, including an end-of-course test. This is a three hours test, and includes a short listening and reading comprehension, grammar exercises, one brief essay and a speaking part. The final test takes place the last Thursday of the course.

Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is required throughout the course. Students who attend at least 75% of the classes and successfully pass the final examination will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

ECTS

• Regular USI students: Faculty of Biomedical Sciences students of the Master in Cognitive psychology in health communication will receive 3 ECTS credit points for the successful completion of the course.
• Incoming mobility students: SEMP (ex Erasmus), Swiss Mobility and International Exchange students will be awarded 3 ECTS credit points after successful completion of the course.