Examination of several interrelated topics on postage stamps, including their multiple functions and significance as semiotic artifacts, precedes suggestions for incorporating them into the Italian language curriculum in such activities as reading, writing, speaking, listening, and cultural understanding. (CB)

Describes a theatrical workshop developed to teach Italian to third-year students. The aim of the course was to increase students' understanding of Italian language and culture and to enhance their communicative skills and appreciation of literary texts. (Author/VWL)

Suggests that teacher preparation and training is the key to successful integration of technology in Italian as a foreign language instruction. Results of a study show that students taught by teachers who had undergone a technology program had better perceptions of what they were learning about Italian language and culture via the Web and improved…

A study in three intermediate and advanced Italian second-language classes (n=74 students) analyzes the utility of Internet-based technology in content-area teaching activities. Results indicate that while the technology can be useful, its role as a source of information appears to be its primary one. Available learning activities for Italian were…

The need for extra-curricular activity to supplement Italian classroom learning is discussed. Five programs are described which focus on individual needs and active student participation. These include: tutorial work; language laboratory use; independent study; group activities, and work with the Italian community. (AM)

Deals with lexical derivation as it is manifested in the oral and written production of anglophone learners of Italian. Assumes that lexical derivation belongs to that linguistic competence which is based on creativity and that no essential differences exist between the ability of native and nonnative speakers to utilize this competence. (SED)

Considers the most recently published or re-edited North American textbooks for Italian with a view to discussing the current methodological trends they illustrate. Findings indicate that all except one of the seven textbooks reviewed have been upgraded to reflect an integrated or eclectic approach and that they differ mainly in the authors'…

Develops an extended and precise rendering of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) in order to clarify difficulties in analyzing Italian. The method used is the paradigm method of analysis since there are no universal phonemic rules of pronunciation that will allow one to correctly pronounce Italian. Tables of transcriptions are included. (32…

After surveying the ways in which translation is currently used in teaching Italian in British and U.S. universities, an approach is suggested that focuses on using translation activities that are authentic and allow students to develop not only their linguistic and metalinguistic skills but also their sociocultural competence. (CFM)

Discusses Web-based multimedia course materials for business Italian, delivered to students in a total course management system. Both teacher and students evaluated the experience as positive. (Author/VWL)

Examines techniques for generating positive test washback to teachers and students, and their relevance in the teaching of Italian as a second language. A sample Italian test is offered to demonstrate how the criteria for positive washback can be met in an exam that challenges students to develop all four language skills (listening, speaking,…

John Dewey High School has initiated a program which hopes to compensate for a lack of interesting and relevant materials in Italian instruction. Programs such as independent study and open classroom, which emphasize active participation and individual needs, and which serve to broaden the ordinary classroom experience are described. (AM)

Provides results from a survey sent to all North American institutions offering Italian language courses to investigate the internal organization and training procedures for teaching assistants of Italian. (Author/VWL)