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Johns Hopkins University | AS.210.151

Italian Elements I

4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(4.05)

This course sequence (AS.210.151 and AS.210.152) is an introduction to Italian for students with no previous exposure to the language. By the end of the academic year, you will be able to meet basic needs in an Italian-only environment. Examples include introducing yourself, asking for and giving directions, ordering a meal at a restaurant, describing and asking information about places and people, and engaging in a simple phone conversation. Advanced speakers of other Romance languages (e.g. French, Spanish, Portuguese) are encouraged to enroll in AS.210.175 (Accelerated Italian for Speakers of Other Romance Languages I)

Fall 2012

(4.0)

Fall 2012

(3.64)

Fall 2012

(2.83)

Fall 2012

(4.2)

Fall 2013

(4.18)

Fall 2013

(3.93)

Fall 2013

(4.33)

Fall 2013

(3.91)

Fall 2014

(4.6)

Fall 2014

(4.21)

Fall 2014

(4.67)

Fall 2012

Professor: Maria Assunta Farisco

(4.0)

The best aspects of this course included the Italian language that students got to learn and the manageable workload. The worst aspects of the course included the excessive Sentieri assignments and the fast pace in which students had to learn some of the material. The course would improve if students got more in-class practice with speaking and vocabulary. Prospective students should know that this is a great class that will teach them about Italian language and culture. The course does however require lots of studying and self-immersion in the spoken language.

Fall 2012

Professor: Rebecca Lee Green

(3.64)

The best aspects of this course included the variety of course assignments and the interesting Italian language that students got to learn. The worst aspect of this course was the time-consuming Sentieri assignments that often didn’t correspond with what the students were learning in class. The course would improve if the assignments were better organized and tailored to correspond with what students were learning. Also, the course would improve if it involved more in-depth discussions of vocabulary and grammar concepts. Prospective students should know that this course involves a lot of outside work. They should endeavor to stay on top of class readings, homework assignments, and take full advantage of the extra resources provided.

Fall 2012

Professor: Lorenzo Bacchini

(2.83)

The best aspects of this course included the variety of course assignments and the interesting Italian language that students got to learn. The worst aspect of this course was the time-consuming Sentieri assignments that often didn’t correspond with what the students were learning in class. The course would improve if the assignments were better organized and tailored to correspond with what students were learning. Also, the course would improve if it involved more in-depth discussions of vocabulary and grammar concepts. Prospective students should know that this course involves a lot of outside work. They should endeavor to stay on top of class readings, homework assignments, and take full advantage of the extra resources provided.

Fall 2012

Professor: Alyssa Falcone

(4.2)

The best aspect of this course was learning a new language in a creative and engaging environment. The worst aspect of the course was the online Sentieri assignments because they included concepts many students hadn’t learned yet. The course would improve if there were a more structured curriculum with more opportunities for students to learn and converse with the language. The online Sentieri assignments could also be removed or replaced with something more helpful. Prospective students should know that learning a language requires lots of practice, so they should be ready to spend a lot of time on reading and homework.

Fall 2013

Professor: Rebecca Lee Green

(4.18)

Students felt that the professor was the best aspect of the course, since she tried to make language learning interesting and accessible to the students. Students liked participating in class and practicing their conversational skil s. However, students felt that there was a disconnect between what was taught in class and what was being tested online and that the textbook was not very helpful. Students suggested using a different textbook and felt that increasing the time spoken in Italian would be very beneficial. Prospective students should be self-motivated and willing to put the time in to learn and study outside of the class.

Fall 2013

Professor: Jane Gomez

(3.93)

The best aspects of this course included the emphasis on conversation and discussion within the smal group setting. Students found the professors very approachable and helpful, wil ing to answer any questions. However, students felt that the textbook was unhelpful, even though most of the course was taught directly from the book. Other students felt that they were simply fed phrases to memorize for the oral exam and did not actually learn enough grammar for language acquisition. Suggestions for improvement included using a different textbook and teaching more grammar and vocabulary to teach how the language actual y works. Prospective students should be prepared to work and study hard, and remember to complete the homework on time.

Fall 2013

Professor: Beatrice Variolo

(4.33)

Students thought that the best aspects of this class were the immersive aspects of the course that real y drove language learning, Students liked the small class sizes and discussions, and felt that the professor’s insight as a native speaker of the language made the lectures more interesting and informative. The work in the class was somewhat time consuming, however, and students felt that there were issues with the online content being used in conjunction with the class lectures. Students recommended having shorter homework assignments online and using a different textbook would help make the class easier to learn language. Prospective students should plan to study the language for about an hour each day to improve their language skills and to turn in the homework on time.

Fall 2013

Professor: Lorenzo Bacchini

(3.91)

Students felt that the best aspect of this course was the professor. His enthusiasm for teaching as well as the varied and interactive ways he taught the language really helped students grasp concepts and vocabulary. Students also liked how they were taught functional aspects of the language, such as grammar and vocabulary. However, students immensely disliked the Sentieri online aspect of the course, which they felt was time consuming, unhelpful, and overly complicated. Students recommended changing the course to remove or improve the online assignments, and creating written assignments to further test student understanding. Students also wanted more grammatical context for what they were learning, and a better textbook to use for reference. Prospective students wil spend a lot of time learning on their own outside of the class. Having previous knowledge of learning another language is very helpful.

Fall 2014

Professor: Alessandro Zannirato

(4.6)

In class conversations, collaborative work, and an enthusiastic and encouraging instructor were some of the best aspects of this course. Students pointed out how enjoyable the class was despite the workload. The worst aspect of the class was by far the online tool, Sentieri. Students overwhelmingly found it to be disjointed from the rest of class and an overwhelming amount of work. Suggestions to improve the class included more opportunities to practice composition and fewer online assignments. Prospective students should know the class is less intimidating for those with some previous Romance language, but it is not necessary. The workload is consistent but manageable and the course provides a great introduction to Italian.

Fall 2014

Professor: Francesco Brenna

(4.21)

This course was highlighted by the immersive nature, interesting and engaging instructor, and the inclusion of cultural information. Many students found learning from a native speaker who could share colloquial dialogue and personal experience made learning a new language more enjoyable. The worst aspects of the course were the discrepancies between the textbook and in class lessons, the online portion of homework, and the lack of some basic vocabulary lessons. Suggestions to improve the course include using a better textbook and giving more basic vocabulary in class. Prospective students should know that there is a steady workload that should be attended to daily. The class provides a great introduction.

Fall 2014

Professor: Pervinca Rista

(4.67)

The best aspects of this course included the immersive nature of the classroom, a helpful and patient instructor, and the smal class environment. Students appreciated starting from the very basics. The online exercises were the most poorly rated aspect of the class, as well as the lack of clear vocabulary lists. The class could be improved by having fewer Sentieri exercises and more vocabulary and grammar worksheets. Prospective students should know the class requires a good deal of work, but you wil absolutely learn the language.

Lecture Sections

(01)

No location info
Staff
10:00 - 10:50

(02)

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Staff
12:00 - 12:50

(03)

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L. Proietti
15:00 - 16:15

(04)

No location info
Staff
16:30 - 17:45