Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Level 1

Level 2

DESCRIPTION:

From the culture that brings us phenomenal food, wine, fashion and art, comes this expressively rich language. In this beginning Italian class, we’ll focus on fundamental conversation skills.

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

EXTENDED DESCRIPTION (online only):

There will be some reading and writing in this class. However, this is a conversation class, so our main focus will be on speaking, listening, and culture. Course content varies depending on the instructor and students. Generally, the following topics are covered in this level:

GRAMMAR:

·         Alphabet

·         Pronunciation

·         Definite and indefinite articles

·         Gender and number of nouns and adjectives

·         Numbers

·         Avere and Essere (to be and to have)

·         Present tense of regular and common irregular verbs

·         Conoscere and Sapere

·         Asking questions

·         Possessive adjectives

·         Demonstrative adjectives

·         Prepositions

·         Present perfect

CONVERSATION:

·         Introducing yourself and others

·         Telling time

·         Asking for directions

·         Ordering food

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

English Grammar for Students of Italian

DESCRIPTION:

Expand your ability to use Italian in practical situations by learning more grammar, vocabulary and phrases and refining pronunciation skills. You’ll be speaking with confidence in no time!

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

EXTENDED DESCRIPTION (online only):

There will be some reading and writing in this class. However, this is a conversation class, so our main focus will be on speaking, listening, and culture. Course content varies depending on the instructor and students. Generally, the following topics are covered in this level:

GRAMMAR:

·         Present perfect

·         Future

·         Direct and indirect object pronouns

·         Ne

·         Partitives

·         Reflexive verbs

·         Combined prepositions

·         Verb Piacere

CONVERSATION:

·         Talking about past experiences

·         Shopping

·         Like and dislike

·         Hobbies

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

English Grammar for Students of Italian

Level 3

Level 4

DESCRIPTION:

Expand your Italian conversation skills. We’ll reinforce skills from Levels 1 and 2, introduce new tenses and learn to build more complex sentences orally and in writing. We’ll also build listening skills by reading short stories and watching videos.

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

EXTENDED DESCRIPTION (online only):

There will be some reading and writing in this class. However, this is a conversation class, so our main focus will be on speaking, listening, and culture. Course content varies depending on the instructor and students. Generally, the following topics are covered in this level:

GRAMMAR:

·         Imperfect tense

·         Present perfect /imperfect

·         Imperative

·         Gerund

·         Pluperfect

CONVERSATION:

Topics will vary.

TEXT: Italian Made Simple

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

English Grammar for Students of Italian

DESCRIPTION:

Expand your Italian conversation skills. We’ll reinforce skills from Levels 1-3, introduce new tenses and learn to build more complex sentences orally and in writing. We’ll also build listening skills by reading short stories and watching videos.

TEXT: Da Capo

EXTENDED DESCRIPTION (online only):

There will be some reading and writing in this class. However, this is a conversation class, so our main focus will be on speaking, listening, and culture. Course content varies depending on the instructor and students. Generally, the following topics are covered in this level:

GRAMMAR:

·         Conditional

·         Subjunctive

·         Hypothetical form

·         Impersonal SI

·         Passato Remoto

CONVERSATION:

Topics will vary.

TEXT: Da Capo

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

English Grammar for Students of Italian