Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LHI5002

 
TITLE Glottodidattica e Linguistica Acquisizionale / Language Teaching Methodology and Acquisitional Linguistics

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Languages and Humanities Education

 
DESCRIPTION Second Language Acquisition and theories related to Teaching and Learning are addressed with specific reference to Italian L2. Approaches, methods and techniques regarding teaching and learning Italian are presented in the light of linguistic theories. These include language learning and acquisition, acquisitional sequences, teaching and learning strategies, input and interlanguage. The use of the L1 in the teaching of Italian L2 is addressed, together with aspects pertaining to intercultural competence and differentiated teaching.

These issues are discussed in the light of teaching and learning Italian in Malta, with reference to the curriculum, the syllabus, textbooks used in schools as well as official policies and documentation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of including the four linguistic abilities (writing, reading, listening and speaking) in the language classroom.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to assist the students:
- to become knowledgeable in the fundamental theories of Language Acquisition as related to the teaching of Italian, and show the ability to relate them to practice;
- to become knowledgeable in language teaching and learning approaches and strategies;
- to explore how materials, including different types of texts, can be used for didactic purposes in order to address the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening);
- to reflect on the role of the language teacher, with reference to the local context, to intercultural communication and to L2 teaching and learning.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of didactically-related issues of Italian Acquistional Linguistics by being able to describe them and illustrate them in writing;
- explain the various areas included in Italian Acquisitional Linguistics by being able to define them, comment on them and relate them to other areas of study;
- analyse aspects of language by identifying them in specific texts and illustrating how these can serve the purpose of addressing the different components of the Italian syllabus.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- demonstrate that he/she possesses Pedagogical Content Knowledge related to Italian Teaching and Learning by providing practical examples of how this can be applied to the L2 classroom;
- apply and compare developmental sequences of Italian by showing how these are present in written and oral production of learners of Italian L2;
- formulate didactic activities based on considerations related to the field of Acquisitional Linguistics;
- develop adequate teaching materials for learners with different needs by identifying how these can be adapted in order to render them effective for differentiated teaching.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Balboni, P. (2008), Imparare le lingue straniere, Marsilio, Venezia.
- Balboni, P. / Caon, F. (2015) La comunicazione interculturale, Marsilio, Venezia.
- Chini, M. / Bosisio, C. (2014) Fondamenti di glottodidattica. Apprendere e insegnare le lingue oggi, Roma, Carocci.
- Ciliberti, A. (2012), Glottodidattica. Per una cultura dell'insegnamento linguistico, Carocci, Roma.
- Ellis, R. (1999), Second language acquisition, OUP, Oxford.
- Giacalone Ramat, A. (2003), Verso l’Italiano, Carocci, Roma.
- Mezzadri, M. (2003), I Ferri del Mestiere, Guerra, Perugia.
- Vedovelli, M. (2002 [nuova edizione: 2013]), Guida all'italiano per stranieri, Carocci, Roma.

Supplementary Readings:

- Balboni, P. (1999), Dizionario di glottodidattica, Guerra, Perugia.
- Borg, C. / Cardona, M. / Caruana, S. (2009) Letter to a teacher. Lorenzo Milani’s contribution to critical citizenship, Agenda, Malta.
- Bonomi, I., Masini, A., Piotti, M. & Morgana, S. (2003 [nuova edizione: 2010]), Elementi di linguistica italiana, Carocci, Roma.
- Bosisio, C. (2005), Dagli approcci tradizionali al Quadro comune europeo di riferimento, ISU Università Cattolica, Milano
- Caruana S. (2003), Mezzi di comunicazione e input linguistico, Franco Angeli, Milano.
- Diadori, P. (2001), Insegnare italiano a stranieri, Le Monnier, Firenze
- Mollica, A. / Dolci, R. / Pichiassi, M. (2008), Linguistica e glottodidattica. Studi in onore di Katerin Katerinov, Guerra, Perugia.
- Pallotti, G. (1998), La seconda lingua, Bompiani, Milano.
- Pichiassi, M. (1999), Fondamenti di glottodidattica : temi e problemi della didattica linguistica, Guerra, Perugia.

A reading pack including articles on the teaching of Italian in Malta will be distributed throughout the course of the study-unit.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Qualifications: A first-cycle degree (70 ECTS) in Italian

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 50%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Sandro Caruana

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit