Italiano A2 parte 1, Elementare intensivo, SA 2026 Mendrisio

Grammar prerequisites: definite and indefinite articles, plural of nouns, irregular nouns, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, regular and irregular imperative, adjective agreement, possessive adjectives and pronouns, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, interrogatives, use of the verb piacere, partitives, use of simple and articulated prepositions, prepositional phrases, particle ci, regular passato prossimo, frequency adverbs, indefinite adjectives “tutto” and “ogni”.

Vocabulary prerequisites: numbers, days of the week, months, seasons, hours, professions, vocabulary of the house and of the restaurant.

Placement test
Definitive admission to the course is subject to passing the test organized on the first day. The Placement test has the aim of ascertaining possession of the required level and is mandatory. If the level of knowledge of the Italian language is not sufficient, the teacher will recommend an alternative course.

Course contents
Different grammatical topics will be explored in depth among which the use of stare +  gerund, stare per + infinitive, the relative pronouns che and cui, the impersonal si, the irregular forms of passato prossimo, direct and indirect pronouns,, past participle with direct clitic pronouns, introduction to the imperfetto.

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

Expressing oneself fluently with simple language
The free intensive course allows to immerse oneself in the Italian language and culture for two weeks. The teaching methodology follows a traditional setting as regards grammatical and syntactic bases, from 08:30 to 12:00. In the afternoon the lesson is instead set according to the communicative approach.

Level
A2 part 1 according to the definition of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The course is intended for those who have an elementary knowledge of the Italian language (CEFR A1 part 2) and who therefore can understand communication situations, albeit not complex. The course is held entirely in Italian.

Course objectives
Understand phrases and expressions used frequently related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. basic personal and family information, shopping, ordering at the restaurant, studying, local geography). Be able to describe in simple terms aspects of one's life, of the surrounding environment; be able to express immediate needs. 

Semester-time course
Students and collaborators of USI wishing to continue studying the Italian language after completing the intensive course can enroll in the elementary-intermediate semester course, level A2 part 2.

In presenza

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.