Short course
Italian: Lower Intermediate Conversation
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
14/04/2027 - 16/06/2027
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Join us to take your Italian conversational skills to the next level.
This course focuses on enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills, accuracy and fluency to improve your conversational proficiency across various everyday contexts.
Through multimedia resources, activities, engaging discussions, and feedback, you'll refine your grammar, expand your vocabulary and gain more confidence in initiating and maintaining a conversation.
Participants will practice communication skills in simple personal, recreational and public settings.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course, participants should have done one of the following:
- Completed our Italian Lower Intermediate level courses (Part 1 and Part 2); or
- Studied Italian for approximately two years or achieved a GCSE (Grade A/A*); or
- Achieved or are near A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages in Italian.
New students, who have not completed 'Part 1' and 'Part 2', whose proficiency in the language is appropriate for the course level are very welcome.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Level and demands
This course is pitched at A2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Find out more about our language levels.
Course aims
Enhance learners’ conversational skills in everyday situations to communicate ideas and engage in conversations with confidence.
Course objectives
- Enhance learners’ ability to understand spoken language in varied everyday contexts.
- Encourage learners to use varied and practical vocabulary and grammar structures to express themselves in simple everyday conversations.
- Improve pronunciation and intonation for clear and accurate communication.
- Explore the use of appropriate language in everyday social settings (e.g. formal/informal) and etiquette.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 14 April 2027
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: Conosciamoci un po’. Introducing oneself in social situations and asking about other people
Week 2: Cinema o teatro? Libri e musica…. A delightful exchange of personal tastes
Week 3: Da giovane mi piaceva… Talking about youth and childhood
Week 4: Tecnologia e innovazione – Let’s dive into the coolest new tech out there and see how these gadgets and innovations are changing the way we live every day.
Week 5: Una giornata particolare. Talk in the past about special days and nice memories
Week 6: Viaggi e vacanze – Discuss travel experiences and exchange valuable insights on the best tourist Italian destinations to visit.
Week 7: Prendiamo un aperitivo. Discussing about personal tastes, Italian culinary habits
Week 8: Necessario e superfluo- A journey through personal and cultural differences
Week 9: Vivere verde e stare in forma. Reflecting and sharing on living healthy in harmony with the environment and nature
Week 10: Un caffè tra amici- Discussing current affairs over coffee
Key grammar points
- Imperfect vs Present Perfect verbs
- Conditional sentences
- Use and position of pronouns in sentences
- Formal and informal Imperative forms
Key functions
- Asking about and providing basic information about the self and others
- Exchanging opinions on books, music, cinema, theatre
- Discussing lifestyles and “green” habits
- Talking about food preferences and culinary tips
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:
- understand short, clear speech on everyday topics and respond appropriately.
- engage in simple conversations on familiar topics, such as personal information, daily routines, work and leisure activities.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment will be integrated into a range of classroom activities, including guided role‑plays, scenario-based pair and group work, and progressively less structured conversations and tasks. Learners will be encouraged to participate in these activities, using the target language to respond to realistic situations, and will benefit from ongoing tutor feedback to support development.
Mrs Stefania Nini
Stefania holds a bachelor’s 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 has been Italian tutor at OUDCE since 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.
Course Reading
- Collins Dictionary- English-Italian / D, Collins
- Italian grammar in practice / Susanna Nocchi
Textbooks
No textbook required. All course materials will be provided by the course tutor.
Module code: O26P570XIW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.