Short course
Italian: Lower Intermediate – Part 1
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
30/09/2026 - 02/12/2026
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Improve your language skills, and understanding of the culture, society and daily life in the Italian-speaking countries. We will be covering listening, speaking and cultural awareness at lower intermediate level.
To support the development of communicative skills, the course offers a balanced progression in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Each session features practical, meaningful activities – from interactive tasks, and guided listening to problem‑solving scenarios and discussions. Learners engage with authentic language, collaborate with classmates, and build confidence through varied, hands‑on activities that mirror real‑world communication.
The course is course is pitched at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and completion of the course will help you meet some of the level requirements.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course, learners will have done one of the following:
- Completed our 'Beginners – Part 2' or equivalent; or
- Gained a GCSE (Grade B, 6 or below) in Italian; or
- Achieved level A1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages in Italian.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Level and demands
Pitched at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), completion of this course helps you meet some of the level requirements.
Find out more about our language levels.
Course aims
To help students to practise their interactive skills in the target language in a range of simple and routine everyday situations requiring straightforward descriptions and direct exchange of information on family and other people, living conditions, educational background and work.
Course objectives
- To develop the language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at level A2 of the CEFR.
- To consolidate listening and speaking skills to enable students to communicate in a range of simple everyday work and leisure settings and matters in areas of most immediate relevance.
- To equip students with the vocabulary items and grammatical structures required to read and write short, simple texts on familiar topics.
- To develop an insight into the cultural practices relating to simple everyday work, study and leisure settings.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 30 September 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00pm.
The weekly schedule below is intended to give an indication of the main topic(s) likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change according to the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: Piacere di conoscerti!
Week 2: In giro per negozi
Week 3: Che ne dici di questa cravatta?
Week 4: Da piccolo…
Week 5: Dove andavi in vacanza?
Week 6: Una persona interessante
Week 7: Che tipo sei?
Week 8: Ti va di venire?
Week 9: Le buone maniere
Week 10: Buon viaggio!
Key grammar points
- Imperfect tense
- Present continuous (stare+ gerund)
- Conditional tense- present
- Direct Pronouns with Present Perfect tense
Key functions
- Narrating past events and providing information
- Accepting and refusing invitations politely
- Describing physical appearance
- Providing information about travel and holidays
- Making suggestions and giving advice
Teaching methods
You will learn through practical, task‑based classroom activities that encourage the active use of the target language. Sessions typically integrate meaningful scenarios, pair and small‑group work, and collaborative problem‑solving in a supportive and friendly environment. These tasks bring together speaking, listening, reading, and writing, enabling you to apply the language purposefully in real‑world situations.
The course is designed to build your spoken and listening abilities while deepening your understanding of cultural nuances, etiquette, and everyday usage. We will work with new grammatical structures through meaningful, communicative tasks, and you will continue developing your reading and writing skills both in class and independently through self‑study.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to:
- communicate in a range of simple everyday situations requiring direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters;
- understand and respond appropriately to a range of simple spoken language in everyday situations provided speech is slowly and clearly articulated;
- read and demonstrate comprehension of a range of short simple texts on familiar matters of concrete type and consisting of everyday language;
- write short, simple notes, messages, descriptions and/or personal letters;
- demonstrate intercultural awareness in everyday social situations and language use generally.
Assessment methods
You will be set optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace.
Mrs Stefania Nini
Stefania holds a Bachelor Degree in Educational Sciences from the Catholic University of Milan and a PGCE in Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology. She has been teaching Italian language and culture for 30 years in Italy and in the UK: her teaching experience spans all age and level ranges. She joined OUDCE’s Italian language team in September 2017.
Certification
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £315.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Nuovo Espresso 2- Libro dello studente / Bali`, Maria; Rizzo, Giovanna
Textbooks
To participate in the course fully, you will need access to the following textbook:
- Nuovo Espresso 2 Libro dello studente e esercizi / Bali`, Maria – Rizzo, Giovanna, Alma Editore
Module code: O26P568XIW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.