Course Topics
- The topics covered in the ‘Linguistics of Italian’ module are: language as a semiotic code (in comparison with other systems of communication); the main levels of linguistic analysis, providing examples and methods for identifying forms, functions and structures, whilst taking into account linguistic variation: phonetics and phonology; morphology; lexis and lexical semantics; syntax and the informational structure of the utterance. - The topics covered in the ‘Language Acquisition’ module are: the fundamentals of acquisition linguistics; research methods in acquisition linguistics; theories of language acquisition; key stages of language acquisition; linguistic and extralinguistic factors influencing language acquisition; an insight into multilingual acquisition. - In the ‘Reflection on Language: Didactic Applications’ workshop, the topics covered in the ‘Linguistics of Italian’ module are explored in greater depth and integrated, whilst also taking into account the relationship between standard and variation. During the workshop, students will learn about and how to use key tools for the study and teaching of Italian in nursery and primary schools, such as dictionaries, reference grammars, and corpora of spoken and written Italian.

Teaching format
Lectures, delivered in a participatory manner and open to discussion; independent study of the compulsory reading list. Practical sessions involving exercises and group work in the laboratory.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and Understanding Students are familiar with the fundamentals of linguistics, the units of analysis, and the structures of the Italian language (phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon). They are familiar with the key stages and the linguistic and extralinguistic factors that influence language acquisition. They are familiar with teaching methods and resources for language reflection. Application of Knowledge and Understanding Students are able to apply the knowledge they have acquired to the analysis of linguistic data, contexts of acquisition and learning, and teaching materials for language reflection. They are able to apply this knowledge to their own teaching practice in preschool and primary school. Judgment Skills Students are able to evaluate analyses of linguistic data and learning contexts, as well as the quality of teaching materials for language reflection. Communication Students are able to present the knowledge they have acquired using appropriate specialized terminology and adopting a scientific approach. Learning Skills Students are able to identify and apply resources and tools of knowledge in the fields of linguistics, language acquisition, and language reflection.

Assessment
A 90-minute written test comprising open-ended and closed-ended questions, as well as exercises to be completed.

Evaluation criteria
The examination is assessed with a single final mark. The following aspects are taken into account and assessed: relevance, comprehensiveness, critical analysis and independent interpretation, clarity of argument, and the lexical and grammatical accuracy of the answers. Active participation demonstrated by students during the seminar is also taken into account. In the event of a fail for the entire module, any partial examinations passed will be regarded as having already been passed when the student sits the full module examination on their next attempt. It should be noted that, even in this case, a fail for the entire module will count towards the total number of attempts available for sitting an examination. According to the Examination Regulations, if a student fails an examination on three consecutive attempts, they may not register for the same examination in the three sessions following the last attempt (Article 6, paragraph 4 of the current Examination Regulations).