Italian Adult Programs
At Italian School NJ, conversation skills are a priority for both our staff and our students. Having encountered many adult students who were frustrated with their lack of fluency after years of study, we devised a curriculum that gives priority to conversation, while concomitantly enhancing the conceptual understanding of the language through a thorough explanation of the grammatical structures.
Our goal is to create an encouraging environment to learn the Italian language by providing small classroom sizes (7-8 students at the most) and individual attention to all students.
All classes are conducted mainly in Italian, in accordance with our full-immersion philosophy, with the exception of some beginner courses. Each class is structured around the integration of texts and supplementary materials (i.e. handouts, videos, etc..) handpicked to create an equilibrium between verbal and written fluency, while simultaneously using in-class conversation, role playing, and other games to increase practical expression. Student-to-student interaction and repetition are paramount in creating an environment that both encourages and enhances verbal skill, and we put a premium upon ensuring that each student reaches both the benchmarks set forth by our curriculum, as well as their own personal goals.
Classes are based on a three-level system
Classes are based on a three-level system, which allows students at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels to find the class best suited to their desires and skill. All our classes cover the four basic skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing in the context of themes in Italian culture. For all classes there will be homework assignments, and reviewed in the next class with a QAQC session.
Beginner and Beginner I courses are geared toward those students that approach the Italian language for the first time. Students will master basic conversation skills, vocabulary acquisition, response to everyday situations while acquiring knowledge of Italian culture. Students will learn how to communicate in a variety of social situations, such as introducing yourself, talking about daily activities, describing what do you do for work, writing and reading simple texts, such as an e-mail, giving and getting directions, asking about the weather and telling time.
Course Objective: Mastery of basic grammar and conversation skills, vocabulary acquisition, response to everyday situations.
Curriculum: Conversation and listening skills are based upon short dialogues, interactive conversation and role-playing, listening comprehension from videos and CDs.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times.
Beginner II & III courses are geared toward those students that already have a basic knowledge of the Italian language conjugation of nouns, articles, adjectives, present tense verbs. Students should be able to converse about everyday situations and understand topics of simple dialogues and written work.
Course Objective: In addition to mastering more advanced grammar and conversation skills more complex conversation and response to everyday situations, students will be start to read and understand topics of simple dialogues, short stories, magazine articles and write a one-page essay about every-day life, hobbies, family, vacations ...
Curriculum: Conversation and listening skills are based upon longer dialogues, interactive conversation and role-playing, listening comprehension from videos and CDs.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times.
Intermediate Courses I and II are geared toward those students that already have a deeper knowledge of the Italian language including present and past tense of regular and some irregular verbs, proper conjugation of nouns, articles, adjectives, and are able to carry a more complex conversation about everyday situations and other subjects.
Courses Objective: Mastery of more complex grammatical structures, fluid communication, and comprehension and analysis of short stories, while enhancing knowledge of Italian culture.
Curriculum: Students learn to discuss complicated concepts, such as politics, social issues, and personal views and will be introduced to read and analyze short stories and articles. Classes are conducted based primarily on a predetermined textbook, intense drill practice, regular conversation on progressively complex topics, and the use of readers and videos to increase comprehension.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times.
Advanced Courses I and II are geared toward those students that already have a deeper knowledge of the Italian language and wish to review or better understand more difficult grammar structures. Students are expected to speak Italian fluently and to both read and write essays in Italian.
Course Objective: Mastery of more complex grammatical structures, refinement and enrichment of current linguistic dexterity (including speaking, reading and writing) and comprehension while enhancing knowledge of Italian culture.
Curriculum: In-class discussions of a variety of complex topics and issues based on reading materials, as well as Italian songs and films and various other media. Students will also compose original work outside of class. A predetermined textbook will be used to review grammar.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times.