Language/Italian/Culture/Italian-Language-as-a-Second-Language

Italian Culture > Italian Language and Dialects > Italian Language as a Second Language

Italian is a beautiful and melodic language, spoken by millions of people worldwide. Whether you are learning Italian for work, travel or personal enjoyment, it is essential to understand the underlying culture and regional variations that are an integral part of the language. In this lesson, we will explore Italian language as a second language, focusing on its teaching and learning methods. We will also delve into the different Italian language variations and dialects and the importance of Italian as a global language.

General Information

Italian Language as a Second Language (L2) refers to the study of Italian by non-native speakers. For many years, Italian has been a popular choice among second language learners, especially for those who are interested in art, fashion, food, music, and history. Italian L2 courses aim to develop the four fundamental language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Italian instruction typically follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) guidelines, which sets up six levels of language proficiency.

The levels are as follows:

1. A1 – Basic user
2. A2 – Elementary user
3. B1 – Intermediate user
4. B2 – Independent user
5. C1 – Advanced user
6. C2 – Proficient user

Italian L2 teaching primarily emphasizes communication, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The lessons aim to expose learners to authentic Italian texts and situations that help them develop the necessary listening and reading comprehension skills. In addition, these courses prepare learners for Italian language proficiency exams such as CILS, CELI, and PLIDA.

Italian Variations and Dialects

Italian is the official language of Italy and has many regional variations and dialects that differ from standard Italian. The linguistic variations are a reflection of the country's diverse history and culture, with distinct lexical and phonetic differences.

Here are some of the most prominent Italian dialects:

• Lombard
• Sicilian
• Neapolitan
• Venetian
• Piedmontese
• Sardinian

While Italian is the standard language used in publishing, education, and broadcasting, many Italians speak their dialects in everyday life. These dialects are often mutually unintelligible, and some possess unique grammar and vocabulary. For instance, the Southern Italian dialect of Sicilian has some striking phonetic differences with standard Italian, such as the use of "u" instead of "o."

Teaching Italian as L2

Teaching Italian L2 includes a range of formal and informal learning settings, including schools, universities, private language schools, and online courses. There are different teaching strategies and approaches to teaching Italian L2, including communicative language teaching, the direct method, and the grammar-translation approach.

Italian language teachers can use various educational resources to enhance learning, such as textbooks, video lessons, interactive online games, and language exchange programs. Additionally, they can organize cultural activities and events such as cooking classes, wine tasting, and cultural trips to immerse learners in the Italian culture and language.

Here are some popular Italian language textbooks used in teaching Italian L2:

Title	Publisher	Level
Nuovo Progetto Italiano	Edilingua	Beginner to Advanced
Italian Espresso	Alma Edizioni	Beginner to Intermediate
Con Fantasia	Lattes	Beginner to Intermediate
Riflessi	Guerra Edizioni	Intermediate to Advanced

Interesting Facts

- Italian is the official language of the Vatican City. - The Italian language has contributed significantly to the English language, with words such as balcony, graffiti, and pasta. - Italian has been ranked as the fourth most studied language in the world. - The oldest literary work written in the Italian language is the Sicilian poem "The Song of Roland," written in the 11th century.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning Italian as an L2 can be an enriching and rewarding experience, enabling one to communicate and understand a multitude of cultures and people. Italian L2 instruction is readily available worldwide, and learners can choose from a range of excellent educational resources to enhance their learning. By grasping the basics of the language, learners open up a world of Italian art, literature, music, and culture.

Sources

• Italian Online | Wellesley College
• Italian Culture and Language for Foreigners - Laurea Magistrale ...
• Italian Courses < The University of Texas at Austin

Table of Contents - Italian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

Introduction to Italian Language

• Italian Alphabet
• Nouns and Articles
• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Present Tense of Irregular Verbs

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Daily Life Expressions

• Greetings and Introductions
• Foods and Drinks
• Transportation
• Numbers and Dates

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Italian Culture and Tradition

• Italian Regions and Cities
• Italian Cuisine and Wine
• Italian Art and Music
• Italian Festivals and Celebrations

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Past and Future Tenses

• Passato Prossimo
• Futuro Semplice
• Imperfect Tense
• Condizionale Presente

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Social and Work Life

• Family and Relationships
• Work and Employment
• Shopping and Services
• Tourism and Hospitality

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Italian Literature and Cinema

• Famous Italian Writers and Poets
• Italian Cinema Industry
• Italian Contemporary Art

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Subjunctive and Imperative Moods

• Present Subjunctive
• Imperative Form
• Simple Past Subjunctive
• Conditional Subjunctive

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Science and Technology

• Computer and Technology
• Science and Research
• Environment and Ecology

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Italian Politics and Society

• Contemporary Italian Politics
• Italian Society and Customs
• Religion and Believes

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Compound Tenses

• Trapassato Prossimo
• Trapassato Remoto
• Futuro Anteriore
• Congiuntivo Passato

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Arts and Design

• Fashion and Design
• Music and Performing Arts
• Visual Arts

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Italian Language and Dialects

• Italian Language Variations
• Italian Language in the World
• Italian Language as a Second Language

Related Lessons

• Italian Art and Music
• Why Learn Italian
• Contemporary Italian Politics
• San Marino Timeline
• Famous Italian Writers and Poets
• Italian Regions and Cities
• Italian Cinema Industry
• Religion and Believes
• Italian Festivals and Celebrations