Italian: Lower Intermediate Conversation



Overview

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.

Programme details

Course starts Wednesday 22 April 2026

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 2-4pm.

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

Textbooks

No textbook required. All course materials will be provided by the course tutor.

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 £300.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

Tutor

Mrs Stefania Nini 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.

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.

Teaching methods

Our language courses promote collaborative learning, encouraging peer interaction and real-life activities. You will learn through participating in engaging activities and tasks in the target language. These are likely to include listening tasks, role-plays, pair- and small-group work conducted in a supportive, friendly and informal learning environment. The course has been structured to help you primarily to develop your speaking and listening skills.

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 implemented through a series of class activities ranging from guided role-plays and structured pair-work to less structured discussions and tasks. Learners will be encouraged to participate in class activities to benefit from tutor feedback.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

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.

Find out more about our language levels.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support