Our training proposal
The course has an overall duration of 8 months, and it is articulated in three parts: a first part, consisting of a block of 160 hours of basic teaching and 40 hours of integrated teaching; the subsequent two parts each involving 2 sections, with a total of 4 sections, consisting of 480 hours of basic teaching and 90 hours of integrated teaching.
Overall, the course therefore involves the possibility to attend 640 hours of basic teaching and 130 hours of integrated teaching.
Overall, the 5 sections are planned to enable the progressive attainment of a B2 level in the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR), which is considered to be the most adequate level of competence for a foreign student to again access to university courses. The overall course is based on modular structuring of the courses, therefore, subject to the presentation of a certification of some knowledge of Italian that is recognised on an international level, or another certificate issued by a public body certifying the language level possessed by the student, enrolment in the subsequent level with respect to the current one possessed is permitted. In the event that the student does not have any certification that proves their competence in Italian, enrolment in subsequent courses at A0-A1 level will be subject to passing a diagnostic test to be taken remotely on a specific platform set up by the University Language Centre. Entry at an intermediate level in any case requires the student to complete the course, until such time as attainment of the B2 level. Marco Polo students and/or Chinese students will obligatorily have to access the course at an A0 level and enrol for the entire course.
The first part of the course (section 1), which takes place at the Italian language and cultural school “Laboratorio Edulingua” in San Severino Marche is specifically dedicated to reception, adaptation, overcoming of cultural shock, and orientation activity aimed at providing basic language training from level A0 to level A1 for a total of 160 hours. It is specifically designed for “Marco Polo” programme students or other Chinese speaking students. For this part of the course, there are also 40 more hours of integrated teaching activity with language and cultural support, even individually, as well as the participation in recreational events and themed evenings.
The second part of the course (sections 2 and 3) also takes place at the Italian language and culture school “Laboratorio Edulingua” of San Severino Marche, and facilitates an initial welcome to Italy for students who are enrolled that are not participating in the Marco Polo programme, as well as orientation and cultural awareness activities, along with basic language training up to level A2, for a total of 240 hours. There is also a further block of 60 hours of integrated teaching, with language and cultural activities (e.g. films, cultural lessons and events), as well as participation in recreational events and themed evenings.
For students enrolled in the “Marco Polo” programme, the overall teaching hours of sections 2 and 3 are aimed at the consolidation of basic language competence as well as an analysis of possible difficulties in attaining the outgoing level required and consequent recovery.
The third part of the course (sections 4 and 5), which will take place at the University of Macerata involves mostly specialised teaching activities, that will take the cultural and disciplinary interests of the enrolled students into consideration. It involves 240 hours of basic Italian language aimed at reaching levels B1 and B2, and a further 30 hours of integrated teaching with attendance, with language and cultural activities including the projection of films or lyrical operas with subtitles in Italian, participation in workshops, guided tours or cultural events that will enable those enrolled to enter into direct contact with the local academic and socio-cultural context.
During the summer break, the students of the “Marco Polo” programme will also be able to take advantage of 30 hours dedicated to remote teaching activity, aimed at strengthening and/or reinforcing the language abilities and contents that are the object of the course. The remote activities, which are to take place in a specific online setting, will be structured and monitored by the classroom teacher, to guarantee coherence between the online part and the part in presence on the course.
At the end of this period, students who have not already attained full possession of level B1 required by the “Marco Polo” programme, will complete the educational course by attending B1 level Italian courses for international students organised by the University Language Centre during the month of September 2015.
Both parts of the course (4 and 5) will be activated with a minimum number of 14 students.
In both centres, at the end of each section, for which students must attend at least 75% of the overall number of hours, a verification test is carried out for passage to the subsequent section, with the aim of guaranteeing the regular graduation of the skills and final educational success. In-course tests are also foreseen, usually every 2 to 4 weeks, as well as recovery activities and language strengthening.
For the entire duration of the course, students will also have the possibility to refer to an Italian language teacher who, during pre-established times and days, will provide the necessary language assistance (“Teacher’s Desk”) both with physical presence of the teacher and remote presence, through a specific online environment.
As well as these activities, hand in hand with sections 4 and 5 of the course, students who are interested in doing so, may attend one or more themed language courses each lasting 24 hours, relative to specific subject areas and conducted according to the CLIL method (Content and Language Integrated Learning). The courses that may be set up are relative to:
- Italian literature
- Art and architecture
- Music and opera
- Food, wine and tourism
- Law
- Design
Such themed courses, which will be activated taking into account the training requirements and interests of the students enrolled, with a minimum number of 6 enrolled students, aim to offer training in a particular subject-area and specialised language on indicated themes, with reference to the local and national culture. The courses proposed include workshops and lessons held with the support of professors from the University of Macerata and external experts operating within the indicated sectors. Students who are interested may enrol in one or more themed courses at an extra cost of 200 euros.
Students who enrol in the University of Macerata at the end of the course will have the right:
- to be admitted without having to sustain any language test for access;
- to exoneration from the payment of the first instalment of the university enrolment fee;
- to an individual consultancy service to provide assistance in choosing the degree course to attend.
The teaching materials foreseen are: basic study text, supplementary materials on paper, materials created ad hoc by teachers, audiovisuals. At the University of Macerata, each student may also access a personalised self-study course online.