Ateneo - UPO

The course develops the linguistic and communicative competences required to study and participate in university life in Italian, with particular reference to academic and, where relevant, professional uses of the language. Course content is organised around meaningful communicative tasks and includes the reception and production of complex spoken, written, and multimodal texts, interaction, mediation, reflection on linguistic and pragmatic resources, and the development of learner autonomy.
The Italian as a Second Language – Advanced Level course is intended for international students at the University whose language competences correspond to at least CEFR Level B2, as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and its Companion Volume.

Course materials are made available through the DIR CLUPO – Italian L2 platform, which serves as the course documentation space, the main channel of communication with students, and the online environment supporting teaching and learning activities. The platform provides materials used during lessons, final assessment practice materials, and supplementary resources, enabling students to continue working independently outside class.
Digital resources
DIR – CLUPO – Italiano in pillole is the platform dedicated to self-directed learning. The resources provided support the development of the language competences required for university study, the consolidation of grammatical and lexical competences, the development of reading and study strategies, the improvement of academic and professional writing, and engagement with texts drawn from university life, the media, and different academic disciplines.
Reference materials and resources for additional support
The following materials are not required course textbooks but may be used to strengthen prerequisite knowledge, support independent consolidation, and explore specific linguistic and disciplinary areas in greater depth.
Vocabulary and grammar
Duso, E. M. (2019). Grammatica dell'italiano L2. Studi Superiori.
Al Dente 1 – Corso d'italiano A1. Casa delle Lingue.
Al Dente 2 – Corso d'italiano A2. Casa delle Lingue.
Al Dente 3 – Corso d'italiano B1. Casa delle Lingue.
These volumes may be used for independent review and consolidation of language competences developed at previous levels.
Italian for academic study
Italiano per economisti. Alma Edizioni.
Italiano per giuristi. Alma Edizioni.
Italiano per medici. Alma Edizioni.
Additional materials, selected by the lecturer according to the needs of the group and the different academic disciplines, will be made available through the DIR platform during the course.

Organisation of teaching activities
The course carries 6 ECTS credits, corresponding to a total student workload of 150 hours, comprising 50 hours of structured learning activities (2 ECTS) and 100 hours of independent study and self-directed learning (4 ECTS). The course is delivered entirely online in synchronous mode and includes 10 hours of online lectures (TEL-DE – 0.4 ECTS), devoted to the introduction and systematic development of language structures, vocabulary, strategies, and methodological content, and 40 hours of online interactive teaching (TEL-DI – 1.6 ECTS), devoted to communicative tasks, guided practice, collaborative work, and activities focusing on linguistic and pragmatic awareness.
Learning objectives
The course aims to consolidate linguistic and communicative competences corresponding to CEFR Level B2 and promote their development towards Level C1, with particular reference to the uses of Italian required in university contexts.
Knowledge and understanding
The course aims to develop students' understanding of complex spoken, written, and multimodal texts and to expand the linguistic repertoire required to participate in the main communicative practices of university life, with particular attention to academic vocabulary, pragmatic and discourse competence, and terminology from different academic disciplines.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The course promotes the integrated development of reception, production, interaction, and mediation through tasks related to authentic situations in university life, developing students' ability to understand, reformulate, and communicate information from different sources and to use Italian appropriately in different academic contexts.
Making informed judgements
The course develops students' ability to reflect critically on their language development, identify effective strategies for managing complex communicative tasks, and use feedback to progressively guide their learning.
Communication skills
The course aims to strengthen students' ability to participate in academic interactions, present and support points of view, reformulate disciplinary content, and communicate clearly, coherently, and appropriately for different audiences and contexts.
Learning skills
The course promotes learner autonomy in academic study through the informed use of digital resources, students' plurilingual repertoire, and strategies for self-assessment and learning planning, supporting the development of competences transferable to subsequent academic and professional contexts.

The course is intended for students whose linguistic and communicative competence in Italian corresponds to at least CEFR Level B2.
Placement in the course is preceded by a welcome and orientation module, designed to establish students' linguistic and academic profiles and identify the CLUPO course best suited to their learning needs. The module includes the collection of students' language biographies, an individual interview, a placement test, and the definition of their learning programme. The required level of language proficiency is verified on the basis of the available documentation and the results of the activities completed during the welcome and orientation module. Where a different level of language proficiency is identified, students are directed to the most appropriate CLUPO course.
Information on course access and orientation activities is available on the DIR CLUPO – Italian L2 platform.

The course adopts a communicative, task-based approach, drawing on situations and practices from university life. Teaching activities are designed to promote meaningful language use through tasks related to study, collaboration, and participation in the academic community, integrating the development of reception, production, interaction, and mediation.
Lessons are delivered synchronously online according to the schedule published on the DIR platform and are complemented by guided practice, individual and collaborative work, activities focusing on linguistic and pragmatic awareness, and the oral and written reformulation of disciplinary texts. Together, these activities support the progressive development of a learning community in which communicative demands and language needs emerging during the course become an integral part of the teaching and learning process.
The lecturer supports students in defining their individual learning programme, guiding their work in relation to individual objectives, their university studies, and the language needs that emerge during the course. The course design remains flexible, allowing activities, materials, and tasks to be progressively adapted to the needs of the group and to different disciplinary contexts.
The course is organised into teaching modules focusing on different communicative situations and practices of university life. The modular structure supports the progressive development of the different dimensions of communicative language competence and allows modules to be revisited or supplemented during the year according to students' linguistic and academic needs.
Course activities are complemented by the self-directed learning modules available on the DIR CLUPO – Italiano in Pillole platform, which enable students to consolidate their language competences, monitor their progress, and personalise their independent learning through materials, exercises, and self-assessment activities.
The course adopts inclusive and participatory teaching methods designed to value the diversity of linguistic and cultural profiles within the group, promote peer collaboration, and support the active participation of all students, while respecting individual differences and different learning styles.

The course runs throughout the academic year and is delivered primarily in Italian. Students' plurilingual repertoires are valued as resources for learning, language awareness, and mediation.
Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended. Participation in the welcome and orientation module is required for placement in the course. Students may take the final assessment without attending lessons; in this case, they are advised to consult the materials and practice tests available on the DIR platform.
Up-to-date information on course organisation, lesson schedules, teaching materials, enrolment procedures, and examinations is available on the DIR CLUPO – Italian L2 platform, which serves as the main communication environment between the CLUPO Language Centre and students.
To participate in the course, students are required to:
• enrol on the DIR CLUPO – Italian L2 platform;
• complete the enrolment form;
• participate in the welcome and orientation module.
Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and support by contacting the Student Career Development and Support Office and consulting the dedicated page on the University website. After contacting the relevant University Office, students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN may contact the course lecturer to discuss appropriate examination arrangements and teaching and learning support.
Examinations are governed by the University's Academic Regulations.
For further information, students can consult the DIR CLUPO – Italian L2 platform or contact the CLUPO Language Centre teaching staff at ital2.clupo@uniupo.it.
To take the final examination, students are required to:
• check that the course is included in their study plan;
• register for the examination session by the relevant deadline;
• consult the examination materials and practice tests available on the DIR platform.

Assessment consists of two complementary components: ongoing formative assessment and a final summative assessment designed to verify the achievement of the intended learning outcomes of the course.
Formative assessment
Throughout the course, spoken production, interaction, and mediation are practised and monitored through communicative tasks, collaborative activities, self-assessment, and peer assessment, with support from the language instructor. These activities are exclusively formative: they help students develop awareness of their language learning, use feedback to progressively improve their performance, and prepare for the final assessment. Activities completed during the course do not contribute to the final mark.
Summative assessment
The final assessment consists of a written test delivered through the DIR platform and divided into four sections: listening comprehension; written production; reading comprehension; language in use.
The test assesses the intended learning outcomes that can be directly evaluated through a written assessment, including students' ability to understand spoken and written texts, produce a short written text based on data and materials provided, and use language appropriately in the contexts addressed during the course. The duration of the test and detailed instructions are provided on the course DIR platform.
Detailed guidance for examination preparation is published on the DIR platform at the beginning of the course.
The final mark is calculated by adding the scores obtained in the four sections: up to 5 points for listening comprehension, 10 points for written production, 10 points for reading comprehension, and 5 points for language in use. Written production is assessed on the basis of task achievement, text organisation and cohesion, lexical appropriateness, and morphosyntactic control. There are no minimum scores for individual sections; passing the examination depends on the overall score. The final mark is expressed on the Italian 30-point grading scale, with a pass mark of 18/30.
The final mark reflects the overall level of achievement of the intended learning outcomes assessed through the final test.
18–20 (essential achievement of the course learning outcomes)
Essential achievement of the intended learning outcomes: understanding the main information in the texts provided and producing a comprehensible and coherent written text, despite some linguistic inaccuracies that do not impair communicative effectiveness.
21–23 (satisfactory achievement of the course learning outcomes)
Satisfactory achievement of the course learning outcomes: understanding complex texts and identifying main and supporting information, producing organised texts, and using the required vocabulary and language structures with reasonable confidence.
24–26 (full achievement of the course learning outcomes)
Full achievement of the course learning outcomes: understanding complex texts and their main relationships, producing well-organised texts appropriate to the communicative purpose, and demonstrating good control of linguistic resources.
27–29 (advanced achievement of the course learning outcomes)
Broad and secure language competence: understanding complex texts, including nuances of meaning, producing effective and well-structured texts, and using language accurately and flexibly.
30–30 with honours (excellent achievement of the course learning outcomes)
Excellent achievement of all intended learning outcomes assessed through the final test: understanding and critically reformulating the information provided, producing particularly effective, accurate, and context-appropriate texts, and demonstrating a very high level of control of linguistic and communicative resources. Honours are awarded for performances distinguished by completeness, accuracy, and overall quality.

The course programme is organised into thematic modules, each focusing on the development of specific linguistic and communicative competences required for participation in university life. Each module integrates reception, production, interaction, and mediation through meaningful communicative tasks, using authentic texts from academic and professional contexts.
The modules are not intended as rigidly sequential units but may be developed, revisited, and integrated throughout the year according to students' linguistic and disciplinary needs. Activities carried out during lessons are complemented by consolidation and further study modules on the DIR CLUPO – Italiano in Pillole platform, which allow students to personalise their independent learning and foster learner autonomy.
The following framework presents the modules included in the advanced course.
Module 0. Orientation and learning planning
Target task
Independently manage one's learning of Italian for university study by planning objectives, strategies, and resources according to academic and professional needs.
Content and activities
Analysis of the linguistic and academic profile; identification of learning needs and personal objectives; exploration of course organisation and the resources available on the DIR platform; planning of the learning programme; development of study, self-assessment, and progress-monitoring strategies.
Module 1. Presenting one's profile
Target task
Present one's academic and professional profile effectively and appropriately for different audiences and communicative purposes.
Content and activities
Analysis of authentic examples of academic and professional profiles; presentation of one's educational background, competences, and experience; adaptation of register and content to different audiences; revision of one's profile based on feedback; production of oral and written presentations, e-portfolios, short biographies, and formal communications; reflection on the plurilingual repertoire and the inclusive representation of identities in academic communication.
Module 2. Understanding, discussing, and arguing
Target task
Understand complex texts and participate critically in developing arguments in academic contexts.
Content and activities
Reading, listening to, and analysing disciplinary and general-interest texts; identifying claims, arguments, and evidence; comparing different perspectives; guided discussion of academic topics; development of strategies for supporting and arguing one's point of view using relevant sources.
Module 3. Interacting and collaborating
Target task
Manage collaboration effectively with lecturers, tutors, and peers in the main practices of university and professional life.
Content and activities
Participation in group work and academic discussions; negotiation of objectives, roles, and procedures; management of feedback and revisions; collaborative problem-solving; documentation and presentation of completed work through digital tools and collaborative activities; use of appropriate registers and respectful, inclusive forms of communication.
Module 4. Understanding, integrating, and mediating content
Target task
Understand, integrate, and mediate disciplinary content from different sources and modes of communication in order to construct and share new knowledge in academic contexts.
Content and activities
Consultation and comparison of multiple sources; integration of written, spoken, graphic, and multimedia texts; synthesis and reformulation of disciplinary content; production of mediation texts; adaptation of information to different audiences and communicative purposes; participation in collaborative study activities and oral and written reporting.
Module 5. Interpreting and communicating data
Target task
Interpret quantitative and qualitative data from different sources and use them to support arguments, decisions, and communication in academic and professional contexts.
Content and activities
Reading and interpretation of graphs, tables, infographics, datasets, and reports; integration of data and texts; description and discussion of phenomena; use of evidence to support arguments, inform decisions, and present findings through spoken and written production.
Module 6. Consolidating competences and preparing for the final assessment
Target task
Consolidate the competences developed during the course and prepare for the final assessment of the CLUPO programme.
Content and activities
Integrated review of the target tasks completed during the course; self-assessment and reflection on progress; use of the portfolio and feedback to consolidate competences; completion of practice integrated assessments; preparation for the final assessment through activities focusing on synthesis, revision, and refinement of communicative strategies.

By the end of the course, students will have consolidated language competences corresponding to CEFR Level B2 and developed competences progressively oriented towards Level C1, with particular reference to the uses of Italian required in university contexts. The learning outcomes listed below are assessed, either directly or indirectly, through the final assessment (summative assessment); spoken production, interaction, and mediation skills are developed and monitored for formative purposes throughout the course (formative assessment).
Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to understand complex spoken, written, and multimodal texts of an academic and disciplinary nature, identifying main and supporting information, structure, and logical relationships; identify claims, arguments, data, and points of view; understand general academic vocabulary and use strategies to interpret disciplinary terminology; interpret graphs, tables, and other visual representations; recognise differences in register and meanings that are not fully explicit.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to select, organise, and reformulate information from spoken, written, and multimodal sources; produce short written texts that are clear, coherent, and appropriate to their purpose and audience; describe and comment on data presented in graphs and tables; synthesise information from multiple sources, distinguishing it from their own observations; use the lexical and morphosyntactic resources required to carry out language tasks related to the main contexts of university life.
Making informed judgements
Students will be able to select information relevant to a communicative or academic purpose; compare sources and points of view, identifying areas of convergence and limitations; formulate and support a personal position; evaluate the effectiveness of their own language choices; identify strengths and areas for improvement in their own performance on the basis of explicit criteria; and make informed use of feedback received.
Communication skills
Students will be able to communicate information and points of view in writing clearly and appropriately for the context; adapt register and vocabulary to the audience and purpose; organise a short expository or argumentative text; describe and interpret data; and synthesise and reformulate complex content from different sources.
Learning skills
Students will be able to identify their own language needs and set realistic learning objectives; plan and monitor their work using self-assessment tools; select materials and strategies appropriate to the task; make critical use of dictionaries, grammars, and digital resources; use their plurilingual repertoire as a resource for learning; analyse errors and use feedback to guide subsequent learning; and continue independently to develop their Italian for academic study and future professional contexts.