The tables below are designed to help you determine the most appropriate level for you. If you need further guidance, just give us a call and one of our friendly office staff can assist you further.

If you find that the level you enrol in is not appropriate, you CAN change. Just speak to one of our office staff.

ADULT BEGINNERS: LEVELS 1- 4

The core of the program is the CI SIAMO course which presents Italian language and culture in an interesting and entertaining way.

The focus of the course is to provide students with the skills and the opportunity to speak in Italian as much as possible.

LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR COMMUNICATIVE SITUATIONS COVERED IN THIS LEVEL

1 Students with no prior knowledge of Italian Students with very little knowledge of Italian Introduce yourself and others Describe yourself and others Say how you feel Say where you are from  Use the formal and informal way of speaking Say where you live Say what you like and dislike Talk about what people are like Order something to drink or eat Express a simple opinion 2 Students who are able to communicate in all or most of the situations covered in Level 1 Students who have completed Level 1 at CIS or an equivalent 15-20 hour course Tell the time Ask and give directions Organise an appointment Arrange where and when to meet Talk about sports and pastimes Speak in the present tense Talk about your family Organise a party Do shopping in Italy 3 Students who are able to communicate in all or most of the situations covered in Levels 1 and 2 Students who have completed Level 2 at CIS or an equivalent 30-40 hour course Talk about the weather Say what you do throughout the day Speak in the past tense Describe your favourite leisure activities Talk about where you have been Talk about what you have done Get around on public transport in Italy Plan a trip 4 Students who are able to communicate in all or most of the situations covered in Levels 1, 2 and 3 Students who have completed Level 3 at CIS or an equivalent 45-60 hour course Talk about yourself in more depth Shop for clothes in Italy Have a conversation on the phone Plan a day or night out Use the past tense more confidently Use the imperfect past tense Withdraw money from a bank Book a hotel room Go to the pharmacy and say what's wrong with you

ADULT INTERMEDIATE: 5 - 7

1. Can you understand what is being said when Italian is spoken at normal, or close to normal speed?
2. Can you make yourself understood in Italian (even if you have to use some dialect or English)?

If you've answered YES to both of these questions, then Level 5 or higher should be appropriate for you.

While the emphasis of the course remains on conversation, considerable attention is given to a more thorough explanation of grammar, and to reading and writing. The prescribed text is Nuovo Progetto Italiano which presents modern Italian language and culture in an interesting and entertaining way.

LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR SAMPLE TOPICS COVERED IN THIS LEVEL

5 Students with knowledge of basic conversational Italian, but who would like to revise grammar from the very beginning Students who have completed the CI SIAMO course or equivalent Students of Italian background who have a sound knowledge of Italian, but have not studied the language formally **This level is generally completed over 2 or more terms Speak confidently about yourself and other people Organise an appointment Talk about your family Order at a restaurant Go shopping Ask and express opinions Ask and give directions Tell a story Learn more about Italian cities and their traditions Write a letter Learn about coffee, cooking and Italian shopping and music 6 Students with a sound knowledge of the basics of Italian grammar and the ability to use them effectively in conversation Students of Italian background who have a sound working knowledge of the basics of Italian grammar **This level is generally completed over 2 or more terms Speak in the future, imperative and conditional tenses Travel by train in Italy Talk confidently about the weather Express happiness or disappointment Offer help Go to the supermarket Borrow something Ask for a favour Express the future in the past Talk about television programs, media and Italian music Express wishes and desires Give suggestions 7 Intermediate and advanced students who need to learn or revise the more complex elements of Italian grammar such as the 'subjunctive', compound verb tenses etc. **This level is generally completed over 2 or more terms Use the subjunctive tense Speak about school and university in Italy Write formal letters Talk about the Italian economy Speak in the historic past Learn about Italian history Talk about health and sport using the present and past subjunctive Talk about technology Use hypothetical sentences Learn about art in Italy Use the passive Talk about social problems in Italy Use reported speech.

ADULT ADVANCED: LEVEL 8

LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR SAMPLE TOPICS COVERED IN THIS LEVEL

8 Students who have covered Italian grammar quite comprehensively. While conversation remains the focus at this level, more attention is given to the development of writing skills, together with advanced reading and oral/aural comprehension. Grammar is dealt with as it arises. Speak confidently about any topic related to Italian culture and society Write in a formal and informal style Read and discuss Italian literature Watch and discuss movies Comprehend advanced level audio material