Short course
Italian: Upper Intermediate Conversation
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
12/04/2027 - 28/06/202714:00 - 16:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Whether you're looking to improve your fluency, master different registers, or expand your lexical repertoire and grammar structures, this course will refine your ability to converse spontaneously and effectively in both everyday and professional contexts.
This upper intermediate conversation course aims to consolidate your listening and speaking skills in a variety of complex and nuanced contexts. You will engage in discussions on a variety of topics, including current affairs, cultural issues, and professional scenarios, enhancing your ability to express opinions and arguments more fluently and effectively. We will explore idiomatic expressions, different registers, and sophisticated grammar structures.
Through interactive discussions, debates, multimedia resources, and tutor feedback, you will refine your language and gain confidence in conversational skills.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course, participants should have done one of the following:
- Completed our Italian Upper Intermediate level courses (Part 1 and Part 2); or
- Studied Italian for approximately four years; or
- Achieved or are near the B2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages in Italian.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts Monday 12 April 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Mondays, 2.00-4.00pm.
Please note: There will be no class on Monday 3rd and Monday 31st May due to the Bank Holidays
The weekly course schedule below provides an overview of the main topics likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change at the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: A journey to Italy: Piemonte. (20th April)
Week 2: Cultural landscapes: innovation and tradition. (27th April)
Week 3: Talking about art, past and present. (11th May)
Week 4: Food as culture: regional variety. (18th May)
Week 5: Italian society: current affairs. (1st June)
Week 6: Shopping and fashion: formal and informal wear. (8th June)
Week 7: Italy: a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. (15th June) N.B. This class will be held at 12.00 – 2.00pm (instead of 4.30-6.30pm)
Week 8: All about books: discussing genres, plots, expectations, trends. (22nd June)
Week 9: Talking about cinema. (29th June)
Week 10: Idiomatic expressions in practice. (6th July)
Key grammar points
- The sequence of tenses in the past
- The uses of the subjunctive
- Verbs with prepositions
- The conditional, past and present
Key functions
- Expressing opinions in diverse scenarios
- Formulating hypotheses
- Using Italian idioms in conversation
- Adapting to formal and informal communicative contexts
Course aims
Enhance learners’ conversational ability to communicate fluently and effectively in a variety of real-life complex and nuanced contexts.
Course objectives
- Develop the ability to comprehend detailed spoken language delivered at a natural pace, including a variety of accents.
- Explore advanced vocabulary items, idiomatic expressions, grammar structures and phrases to express ideas precisely and clearly.
- Encourage learners to articulate their thoughts and arguments effectively in discussions and debates.
- Provide insights into cultural nuances and social etiquette to enhance communication in diverse settings.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to:
- Understand and follow lines of argument across a variety of topics including current affairs, cultural issues, and professional scenarios.
- Engage in spontaneous conversations with native speakers effectively, handling various topics without strain.
- Present clear, detailed descriptions and arguments, using appropriate discourse markers to enhance clarity.
- Participate in discussions and debates, articulating and defending viewpoints effectively.
Level and demands
This course is pitched at B2 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
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.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment will be conducted through a range of classroom tasks and collaborative activities, including discussions, debates, role‑plays, and short presentations, in which learners use the language to achieve communicative goals. Tasks based on authentic or semi‑authentic audio and video materials will be used to evaluate learners’ understanding of spoken language in context. Participants are encouraged to engage actively in these activities in order to benefit from continuous tutor feedback and support ongoing progress.
Dr Francesca Magnabosco
Francesca graduated from the University of Turin, Italy (BA; MPhil) and obtained her DPhil in Italian literature from the University of Oxford. For the University of Oxford, she works as lecturer in Italian Renaissance literature (Pembroke College), and as tutor in Italian, for both the sub-Faculty of Italian and the Department for Continuing Education. She is also a writer and translator.
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
Textbooks
No textbook required. All course materials will be provided by the course tutor.
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
- Online resources: Collins Italian Dictionary
- Susanna Nocchi – Italian Grammar in Practice – updated edition (Alma Edizioni, 2022)
Module code: O26P576XIW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.