Course Details

Italian for Beginners

Academic Year 2026/27

VYI001 course is not part of any programme in the faculty

Grammar

  • Pronunciation & Alphabet: Basic rules of Italian pronunciation and the alphabet.
  • Verbs & Conjugation: Irregular verbs essere and avere (including idiomatic expressions with avere), the verb fare and its uses. Regular Group 1 (parlare), Group 2 (prendere), and Group 3 (dormire, finire) verbs.
  • Articles & Plural Forms: Definite and indefinite articles in singular and plural. Plural formation of nouns and adjectives (including spelling rules for words ending in -co and -ca).
  • Expressing Preferences: The constructions mi piace (with singular nouns/infinitives) and mi piacciono (with plural nouns).

Vocabulary & Topics

  • Numbers & Basic Terms: Numbers 0–20, everyday Italian words (Unit 0).
  • Bar & Gastronomy: Food, drinks, beverages, and café/bar items.
  • Geography & Personal Details: Countries, nationalities, professions, and occupations.
  • Family & Describing People: Family members, physical appearance, and character traits.
  • Leisure & Weather: Hobbies, interests, and weather descriptions.

Communication Skills

  • Introductions & Basic Contact: Initiating contact, introducing oneself ("My name is..."), and stating origin and nationality.
  • Ordering & Service: Ordering food and drinks in a bar or café ("What will you have?", "I'll have...").
  • Talking About Family: Describing family members, occupations, and characterizing specific people.
  • Preferences & Activities: Discussing hobbies, expressing likes/dislikes (mi piace / mi piacciono), and describing current weather conditions.

Review & Assessment

  • Activation of prior Italian knowledge (Unit 0).
  • Interactive review of Units 0, 1, and 2 through educational games.
  • Final synthesis of acquired knowledge and credit test (Week 13).

The course focuses on speaking and reacting in natural, everyday situations. Work is done primarily in pairs and small groups. Lessons include listening activities, songs, videos, and games.

Credits

2 credits

Language of instruction

Czech

Semester

winter

Course Guarantor

Mgr. Markéta Horváthová

Institute

Institute of Social Sciences

Forms and criteria of assessment

course-unit credit

Entry Knowledge

None.

Aims

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Grammar & Language Knowledge

  • Apply basic rules of Italian pronunciation and read unfamiliar words.
  • Conjugate irregular verbs (essere, avere, fare) and regular Group 1, 2, and 3 verbs (including -isc- verbs like finire).
  • Properly use definite and indefinite articles in both singular and plural forms.
  • Form plurals of nouns and adjectives while applying spelling modifications (e.g., words ending in -co and -ca).
  • Correctly use the constructions mi piace (with singular nouns/infinitives) and mi piacciono (with plural nouns).

Communication & Practical Skills

  • Introduce themselves and others, providing personal details such as name, age, nationality, origin, and profession.
  • Independently order food and drinks in a bar or café and interact with staff.
  • Describe their family, relationships, and a person's physical appearance and personality traits.
  • Discuss hobbies and leisure activities and describe the weather using the verb fare.
  • Navigate basic everyday situations and understand simple written and spoken texts within the scope of Units 0, 1, and 2.

Basic Literature

N. Cozzi, F. Federico, A. Tancorre: Nuovo Caffe Italia A1; Eli Edizioni, 2020 (it)

Prerequisites

None.

Offered to foreign students

Not to offer

Course on BUT site

https://www.vut.cz/en/students/courses/detail/306450

Exercise

13 weeks, 2 hours/week, compulsory

Syllabus

  • Week 1: What I already know in Italian; pronunciation, the alphabet; My name is...; numbers 0–12

  • Week 2: The verb essere (to be); food and drinks in a bar

  • Week 3: What will you have? I'll have...; numbers 12–20

  • Week 4: Where are you from? Nationalities and countries; first-conjugation verbs (parlare)

  • Week 5: The verb avere (to have); expressions with avere; indefinite and definite articles

  • Week 6: Second-conjugation verbs (prendre); vocabulary: family

  • Week 7: Vocabulary: professions; the definite article in the plural form

  • Week 8: Mi piace (I like); plural of nouns and adjectives

  • Week 9: Mi piace / mi piacciono; third-conjugation verbs (finire, dormire)

  • Week 10: The verb fare (to do/make) and its expressions; my hobbies; weather

  • Week 11: Describing a person; plural of words ending in -CO, -CA

  • Week 12: Review of Units 0, 1, and 2 through games

  • Week 13: Summary of acquired knowledge; credit test (final test)