Students are required to attend all four language classes and are expected to participate actively in all classes. The language of instruction will be Italian and students are expected to interact in the target language. The participation mark will reflect students’ commitment to practice the language and their commitment to completing the non-graded assignments (compiti senza voto) in self-study mode.

Students are expected to regularly access iLearn for extra revision and task completion. Those who do not have a computer at home can work in the University’s computer labs. It is expected that all External students use a computer, preferably with high-speed internet to facilitate access to the online resources.

Homework is to be completed on a continual basis. Language-learning is cumulative, and it is in students’ best interest to regularly complete homework tasks. In addition to the graded assignments (compito con voto), external students are expected to regularly complete the weekly compiti senza voto as outlined in the programme, using the answer keys provided.

Note: The tasks set from Azione grammatica may not always correspond exactly to the grammar learned in Nuovo Espresso 3. The tasks from Azione grammatica are intended to extend your understanding and usage of Italian grammar.

Written assignments are to be submitted via turnitin. Hand-written assignments will only be accepted by previous arrangement with the lecturer.

Attendance at all classes is compulsory for on-campus students. This applies particularly to tests. You will only be permitted to make up for a missed test in exceptional circumstances such as illness (Medical certificate required). An adequate explanation for any classes missed must be given to your tutor. A poor attendance record may result in exclusion from the final examination. Ongoing work commitments are no valid reason for missing classes.If you miss a class it is your responsibility to contact a classmate for the details of the class in order to catch up on work missed and prepare for the next lesson.

Assignments are compulsory and must be handed in at the time specified. Assignments handed in late (without valid reason) will not be accepted. Repeated failure to hand in assignments will result in loss of a percentage (5% everyday/weekends included) of your final assessment mark and/or exclusion from the final examination.

Preparation: Students are expected to prepare the course work to be covered in class in advance, as set out in programs or announced in class. It is expected that for ever contact hour students will study and practice one hour on their own. For external students this means that you need to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to the study of Italian.

Punctuality: Please arrive on time for classes. Arriving late is very disruptive. All classes start five minutes past the hour. If you should arrive late, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.

Examination Period:  Students enrolled in units that require them to sit for compulsory examina­tions (to be held during business hours) during the official examination period must not arrange to go away before the end of the exam period. Exams could be scheduled for Satur­days during that period. Do not expect that alternative examination arrangements can be made for you. The only exceptions to this are:

a)    members of the armed forces who must go away on duty;

b)   students representing Australia or the University in a national or international sporting or cultural event;

c)    students proceeding to a period of study in a foreign country, associated with their Macquarie program of study.

Assignments are to be your own work. Using someone else's words (either another student's, from a book, a journal article or a website) without clear acknowledgement is plagiarism and can incur serious penalties. The University defines plagiarism in its rules: “Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one’s own.” Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. Information about plagiarism can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies, on the web at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism and on the Division cover sheet, which you must sign before you submit your assignments. If you are in doubt consult your lecturer or tutor.

The university has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction.

The guidelines are designed to ensure comparability across the University. Scaled marks, raw marks or grades are given to students on each assessment task. This is part of the learning feedback. The marks or grades on the assessment tasks are combined into a raw score in the unit, following the distribution of possible marks indicated in the Unit study guide, but the raw score is only an interim stage in the final calculation of the final grade. A scaling process is used to convert the raw score to the final scaled marks (standardized numerical grades or SNGs), using the guidelines for grading as moderators.

The scaled marks indicate that students have satisfied the criteria for inclusion in a particular performance band and rank them by the performance within the band. The scaling process preserves the rank order of the marks. There is no simple arithmetical relationship between raw marks and scaled marks. The relationship will almost always differ between units and between different performance bands within the same unit.

The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need help and see the range of services (such as counseling and writing skills) available at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

B1

B2

C1

C2

I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.   

I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.    

 I  can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.    

I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided I have some time to get familiar with the accent.    

I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

 I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose.      

 I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.

I can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works.

I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).  

 I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views.           

I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.              

I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it.

I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.

I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.    

I can present a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points.

I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.         

I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.

 I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.            

 I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.