OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide pragmatic linguistic and cultural training that, in terms of communication skills, reaches the B1-B2 level, including all nominal and verbal morphological categories and certain elements of syntax. Students enrolled in the 9-credit course will also take the Theoretical Module. In addition, participants will be involved in the implementation of various cultural projects promoted by the Department of Polish Studies in collaboration with various Polish government institutions.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide a linguistic and cultural preparation of a pragmatic nature that, in relation to communication skills, reaches the B1 level (basic), ie a competence to solve situations that requires a high communicative capacity in spoken and written language, as well as in the production of clear, correct and detailed texts on subjects that are known or interest the student. For some  students, the course includes theoretical lessons and exercises on technical languages ​​of economy and tourism.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the 6-credit Polish Language III course, students should have acquired all the skills outlined by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) at the B1 level and some at the B2 level. In addition, they should have developed a solid vocabulary and be able to apply the rules of morphology and syntax.

Students enrolled in the 9-credit course, upon completion of the Theoretical module led by Prof. Quercioli, should:

• have acquired a basic introduction to the specific terminology of translation studies (translation theory)
• have developed the ability to independently translate a short literary text
• be able to compare and critically evaluate different translation choices made in the same source text
• have developed critical reasoning skills that allow them to concretely apply the theoretical concepts learned to the literary texts studied during the course.
  
  Upon completion of the Theoretical module led by Dr. Kowalcze, students should:
  •    understand the dynamics of the geographical distribution of the Polish community and language worldwide, with particular reference to various migration contexts
  •    be familiar with and able to analyze the structures of the Polish language from a contrastive perspective with Italian, delving into aspects related to semantics, derivation, and intercultural pragmatics
  •    be able to identify and distinguish the different statuses that the Polish language can assume abroad
  •    acquire the fundamental methodological concepts for research on bilingualism and migrant identity
  •    recognize phenomena of linguistic interference between Italian and Polish and understand the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of the mother tongue outside of Poland.

From a broader perspective, the course aims to develop the following overarching goals: 1) provide quality, equitable and inclusive education and learning opportunities for all; 2) achieve gender equality and empower all women; and 3) reduce inequality within and among nations.

PREREQUISITES

The course is intended for third year students of Modern Languages and Cultures who have passed the Polish II exam.

Participation is also allowed for Polish Erasmus students, who are kindly requested to contact Karolina Kowalcze by email to arrange their individual lesson programme.

TEACHING METHODS

Polish Language Cours (Lettorato): 80 hours of language exercises (40 in the first semester and 40 in the second semester) - for students who choose the course for 6 and 9 CFU

Theoretical Module: 30 hours of theoretical lessons provided for students who choose the course for 9 CFUs. The theoretical module is divided into two parts; the first, of 18 hours, is held by prof. Quercioli. The second, of 12 hours, is conducted by prof. Kowalcze, Both parts consist of classroom lectures.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The Lectorate program (language exercises) strikes a balance between the study of new grammatical topics and the development of solid lexical and communicative skills. The course covers the descriptive grammar of the Polish language at the B1-B2 level, including all aspects of noun, pronoun, and verb inflection. Students will also learn the system of numerals and various types of lexical derivation. From the very beginning of the course, special attention is given to student interaction in Polish in the various communicative situations expected at the B1-B2 level. Course participants will be encouraged to regularly write various texts on topics corresponding to the syllabus.

The theoretical module, led by Prof. Quercioli (18 hours), offers an introduction to translation studies terminology, with the aim of guiding students in developing critical thinking and applying the concepts learned to the texts studied. Classes will be dedicated to exercises in translation, interpretation, and commentary on short literary texts or films drawn from the advanced Polish Literature 2 syllabus. Throughout the course, students will produce their own translations and, at the same time, examine and reflect on previously published translations, thereby acquiring the necessary tools to compare and critically evaluate different translation choices made on the same text.

 

The theoretical module, led by Dr. Kowalcze (12 hours), covers the geographical distribution of the Polish community and the Polish language worldwide, as well as contrastive Polish-Italian grammar (in the areas of semantics, derivation, and intercultural pragmatics). The program includes an analysis of the various statuses of the Polish language (native language, second language, heritage language, or foreign language) and an introduction to research methodology on bilingualism and migrant identity. It also addresses errors resulting from linguistic interference and the issue of intergenerational transmission of the Polish language outside Poland’s borders (in the context of education, family, and language promotion) .

Non-attending students may take the final exam for the course, but are encouraged to contact the instructors at the beginning of the academic year to agree on a potential program tailored to their educational needs and Polish language proficiency.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Prof. Quercioli: texts will be be agreed with the students and provided at the beginning of the academic year

Prof. Kowalcze: The main manual for the Polish Language Course will be agreed with the students at the beginning of the academic year.

Recommended manuals for Lectorate program (language exercises):

1. A. Achtelik (et al.), Bądź na B1, Universitas, Kraków 2012.
2. P. Garncarek, Czas na czasownik, Universitas, Kraków 2011.
3. P. Gębal, Od słowa do słowa toczy się rozmowa. Repetytorium leksykalne z języka polskiego jako obcego dla poziomów B1 i B2, Kraków 2012.
4. E. Lipińska, Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski. Manuale di grammatica polacca per italiani, Universitas, Kraków 2011.
5. E. Lipińska, Umiesz? Zdasz! (B2), Universitas, Kraków 2009.
6. A. Stelmach, I. Stempek, Polski krok po kroku 2, Kraków 2018.
7. A.Stryjecka, L.Marinelli, Corso di lingua polacca, Hoepli, Milano 2014.

Teaching materials for the Theoretical Module will be provided by Dr. Kowalcze during the course of the academic year and indicated on the Aulaweb platform. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

LETTORATO: Dr. Karolina Kowalcze (I semester)

THEORY MODULE: Prof. Laura Quercioli and Dr. Karolina Kowalcze (II semester)

The class schedule will be available on the University of Genoa's EasyAcademy portal.

Class schedule

POLISH LANGUAGE III

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test for the theoretical module (for the 9 CFU course only) and a written test and an oral test for language exercises. In each of the three exam sessions there is a written session and two oral exams.

Dr. Kowalcze: The written test relating to language exercises consists of a dictation, a short composition in Polish, various listening exercises and a grammar test, organized in a series of different exercises, on the topics covered during the year. Passing the written test is a prerequisite for access to the oral test.

The oral exam relating to language exercises consists of a short conversation in Polish on the topics covered during the year and with the aim of verifying the grammatical and communicative skills acquired by students throughout the year.

Prof. Quercioli: oral exam, during which will be verified both the technical ability to translate a short literary text and that of arguing on the linguistic and lexical choices presented.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Prof. Kowalcze: during the academic year there are 3-4 written intermediate tests ('in itinere') with the aim of providing adequate preparation for the end-of-year test.

The final exam of the course is aimed at verifying the effective acquisition of the four language skills at the level required by the educational objectives of the course, as well as the metalinguistic and translation skills developed by the student during the lessons. The final grade of the course is calculated on the basis of the average of the partial grades obtained: 1) from the intermediate 'in itinere' tests, 2) the written exam of the lettorato, 3) the oral exam of the lectorate, 4) the oral exam of the theoretical module (for those taking the 9CFU course).

Prof. Quercioli: the oral exam aims to ascertain the following aspects of student preparation: ability to present the knowledge acquired and internalized with respect to the basic concepts of the course, ie the definition of the translation activity. The ability to autonomously translate a short text and to compare, justifying them, different translation choices, will be evaluated. Course attendance and accuracy in basic terminology will be evaluated positively.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is highly recommended. Non-attending students can take the final exam of the course, but are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the academic year to agree on a possible program adapted to their training requirement and language skills in Polish.

Students who have duly filed a certification of disability, DSA or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it) and the lecturer at the beginning of the course, in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.