Attention Students working on the final application. If your destination country is non-English speaking remember that your host letter needs to be written in the language of the host country. All Medical Evaluation Forms need to be completed and submitted no later than May 10th.
Attention April 1st is the deadline for Two Worlds United Programs for Summer 2010, Fall Semester 2010 and Academic Year 2010/11
TWO WORLDS UNITED Language & Culture Summer Program Course Overview
The TWO WORLDS UNITED Summer Program allows students to learn Italian while being immersed in the culture of Italy. Students attend classes Monday through Friday for 15 hours per week. After class students attend cultural excursions and activities. Accommodation is provided in student dormitories.
Two Worlds United Summer Language & Culture Program
14/18 Years Old
For students who wish to improve their language skills in a international environment and combine studies with fun and discovery of the Italian culture and way of life.
Students have a choice of the following placement cities:
Rome
Florence
Naples
Two Worlds United Summer Programs
15 hours per week of Italian lessons taught by a qualified ILE teacher
Maximum 15 students per class
Placement test, teaching material and Certificate of Completion included
Dormitory accommodation :
- full-board (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner)
- shared room, guarantee maximum 2 students of different nationalities per dormitory
4 afternoon activities or visits per
week
1 full-day excursion per week
1 evening activity per week
Weekends excursions
Transfers to and from the nearest airport/station are included in the fees.
Lesson: 4 per day. 1 hour of lesson = 60 minutes. 15 hours per week
Description: The Two Worlds United language program consists of 15 group lesson hours per week. Lessons start at 09:00 and finish at 13:30 leaving the afternoons free for the students to participate in the school’s busy social activity programs, to study independently, to absorb the Italian culture in the many local meeting places throughout the city. These courses teach the Italian language through the teaching of its culture, history, politics, and the many aspects of life that are unique to this fascinating country. They look to offer the Two Worlds United students a chance not just to learn a new language, but also a new culture and way of life. The last hour of each morning is dedicated to workshops in which students study two of the four basic language skills in greater depth – either speaking and listening or reading and writing. These classes are held at four levels (elementary, intermediate, advanced and superior) and are designed to deepen the practical use of the language.
level course content objectives
- Beginners (A1)
- Elementary (A2): Basic grammar and sentence structure. Essential vocabulary. Phonetics. Listening and comprehension. Listening and repetition. Conversation. Dictation. The course establishes the basis for self-assurance in conversation, leading to independence in everyday situations.
- Pre-Intermediate (B1)
– Intermediate (B2) Development of basic grammar. Build-up of vocabulary. Phonetics. Dictation. Oral summarizing. Conversation. Elementary reading. The students’ self-assurance in conversation permits them to circulate in an Italian environment.
- Post Intermediate (C1)
- Advanced (C2) Completion of basic grammar. Further build-up of vocabulary.
Written composition. Readings from contemporary authors, such as Calvino and Pratolini. The students reach a good measure of competence and are capable of coping with normal situations in Italian everyday life.
Methodology
The teaching methodology adopted within Two Worlds United International Studies Programs is based on the most current didactic techniques and texts available. Finely tuned to meet the specific needs and interests of different students and classes, each language course focuses simultaneously on the four components of language: oral expression and comprehension (speaking and listening) and written expression and comprehension (writing and reading). In addition to traditional grammar instruction and speaking exercises where focus is given to the linguistic form and characteristics of Italian, students are encouraged to participate in less structured activities that promote spontaneous, sub-conscious learning, developing communication skills in a natural and instinctive manner. In a relaxed and informal environment, over an extended period of time, students in Two Worlds United International Studies Programs quickly improve and lose their fear of speaking a new language, frequently surprising themselves with the speed at which they become competent and confident with Italian. The teaching method adopted at the school encourages active class participation and interaction by all students. Always grouped with others of a similar skill level, students need not be fearful of class participation. After a day at the school, students invariably relax into the routine of lessons and find the presence of other students a help rather than a hindrance to the learning process. Outside the regular morning classes, students of different levels are brought together for the optional cultural courses (guided tours, lectures on art and history, cooking courses etc). The naturally informal nature of these events makes the merging of different levels comfortable and easy and benefits both beginners and advanced students alike.
The final objective of the teachers at Two Worlds United International Studies Programs is to equip students with the necessary tools and techniques that will guide them in their self-study.
Teaching Resources
The aim of each language course is to teach students the Italian language as it is used naturally, in real life situations. Two Worlds United International Studies Programs utilizes a variety of resources (written texts, audio and video stock, newspaper articles, images, music and didactic games) to meet this end.
Well aware that foreign language textbooks and schools often teach a version of a language that is outmoded or rarely used by the native speakers of the country; the teachers at Two Worlds United International Studies Programs have compiled a specialized and comprehensive assortment of teaching materials and learning aids that use real-world linguistic examples. The use of play excerpts, television and radio programs, advertisements, literary passages, song lyrics, greeting cards, dialogues of telephone conversations, newspaper and magazine articles, government forms, diary entries, comics, letters and reviews (just to name a few), ensures that students will be exposed to the real language of Italy, as it is used in both formal and informal contexts.
The variety of topics explored in both the texts and conversations at Two Worlds United International Studies Programs (ranging from basic introductory skills to the exploration of complex theoretical and philosophic ideas), address an array of linguistic demands. By immersing students in a variety of real-life situations, they are given the confidence and skills they need to effectively participate and interact in the Italy of today.
Beginners (A1):
In the Beginners Level, students learn basic communication skills clearly geared for the everyday. A strong grammar base is introduced and the vocabulary taught is simple but precise.
Elementary (A2):
Students of the Elementary Level actively participate in conversation structured around general issues and topics. In this course, solid focus is given to the correct employment of various grammatical principles and rules and students develop a comprehensive and broad vocabulary.
Pre-Intermediate (B1):
Through discussion and textual analysis, students in the Pre-Intermediate Level explore a range of complicated themes and ideas, gaining a strong command of the Italian language and a deeper understanding of both grammatical and linguistic elements. In this course, students are exposed to the language of the mass media and the variable nature of Italian as it is affected by intonation and different contexts within Italian society.
Intermediate (B2):
This course is dedicated to perfecting students communication skills and equipping them with an understanding of the nuances that make up a thorough knowledge of Italian. In the Intermediate Course, students are taught the correct usage of colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions and are also exposed to some of the more complex structures of the Italian language.
Post-Intermediate (C1):
This course helps students exercise their Italian language skills by focusing on a variety of conceivable real-life situations. Pupils of the Post-intermediate Level secure a full and comprehensive mastery of all the grammatical and syntactical structures of the Italian language and are also exposed to the vocabulary and idiom of the workplace. This course level also equips students with the necessary skills for composing a variety of written documents.
Advanced (C2):
This proficiency perfection course aims to enrich and embellish students’ vocabulary and perfect their ability to communicate in a rapid and precise manner. Pupils participate in a variety of discussion groups to help them fine-tune their syntax and meliorate their written and oral expression. Advanced-level textual analysis of a variety of excerpts, documents and essays also forms part of the course syllabus, helping students to distinguish between the subtleties of style and vocabulary used in each and the reasons why. Completion of the Advanced C2 course is a prerequisite for teaching Italian as a second language.
