54
Romanian Language and Literature
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives (2)
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
(Knowledge and understanding)
At the end of the course, students are expected to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of Romanian phonetics and phonology, with particular attention to the alphabet and the pronunciation of specific sounds;
- understand the main grammatical and morphosyntactic structures of Romanian at an elementary level, including articles, nouns, personal pronouns, regular verbs in the present indicative, and interrogative and negative sentence constructions;
- possess a basic vocabulary related to everyday life contexts (family, home, food, clothing, leisure, etc.);
- comprehend short written and oral texts of a practical and communicative nature (dialogues, messages, simple emails), demonstrating receptive language skills corresponding to A1–A2 level of the CEFR;
- demonstrate awareness of the fundamental cultural and traditional elements of Romania from a comparative and intercultural perspective, consistent with the learning objectives of the relevant study programme.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodological tools necessary to:
- accurately apply basic grammatical rules and vocabulary in structured and predictable communicative contexts;
- produce elementary written texts (emails, personal introductions, brief descriptions and narratives) using appropriate language consistent with orthographic and morphosyntactic norms;
- comprehend and autonomously reformulate basic linguistic and cultural content;
- engage in simple spoken interactions in Romanian for everyday situations (greetings, introductions, asking questions, requesting information, ordering at a restaurant, shopping, etc.);
- operationally and contextually rework acquired linguistic concepts through listening, role-play, and communicative simulation activities.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- communicate clearly and appropriately in Romanian in everyday situations;
- use basic grammatical and syntactic structures correctly;
- understand, analyse, and reformulate simple written and oral texts, including through passive translation activities (from Romanian into Italian);
- interact effectively with Romanian-speaking interlocutors in familiar and predictable contexts.
LEARNING SKILLS
By the end of the course, students should:
- have developed the critical and practical skills necessary to deepen independently the topics covered during the course;
- be able to locate and select authentic and didactic resources (both print and digital) useful for enhancing linguistic and cultural competences;
- demonstrate a capacity for autonomous learning, including the use of support tools (dictionaries, online platforms, audiovisual materials) to consolidate and further develop the skills acquired.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the student is expected to:
- know the fundamental notions of Romanian phonetics, morphology, and syntax;
- understand basic grammatical structures and elementary vocabulary to engage in simple communication in Romanian;
- recognize and comprehend familiar expressions and everyday phrases related to concrete contexts such as personal, family, and social life, in accordance with CEFR level A1-A2;
- understand short oral and written texts on simple topics, with familiar vocabulary and structures, within authentic communicative contexts.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodological tools necessary for the following activities:
- oral and written production of short and simple messages (introductions, descriptions, elementary sentences related to everyday life);
- comprehension of brief dialogues, audio messages, and written texts in Romanian, recognizing key words and recurring structures;
- translation and reformulation of simple A1-A2-level texts to and from Romanian, demonstrating mastery of basic vocabulary and the grammatical structures studied;
- interaction in simple routine conversations, with understandable pronunciation and functional vocabulary.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Autonomy of judgement:
By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to independently select and use learning support tools (dictionaries, grammar references, online platforms), and critically evaluate their own linguistic progress.
Communication skills:
Students should be able to communicate clearly and understandably in Romanian in simple and predictable situations, using morphology and syntax appropriate to A1 level. They should be able to formulate basic questions and answers, engage in short communicative exchanges, and understand simple instructions.
Learning skills:
By the end of the course, students should have acquired the necessary skills to continue their study of the Romanian language independently, including in further educational contexts, by using appropriate teaching materials and digital resources suited to their level.
Course Prerequisites (2)
PREREQUISITES
In order to successfully engage with the course content, students are expected to possess the following knowledge and skills:
- Basic knowledge of Italian grammar (important): useful for understanding grammatical explanations related to the Romanian language and for making structural comparisons;
- General language skills at school level (useful): ability to recognize and apply grammatical categories, verb tenses, and simple syntactic structures;
- Reading and comprehension skills for short and simple texts in Italian (useful): necessary for understanding course materials and exercise instructions;
- Motivation and aptitude for language learning (important): supports an active approach to language acquisition and effective participation in both classroom and independent activities.
For non-attending or working students, it is essential to have good self-study management skills and to make use of supplementary materials (grammars, self-study manuals, digital resources), to be agreed upon during consulting hours based on the student’s level of Romanian proficiency.
PRIOR LEARNING REQUIREMENTS
There are no compulsory prerequisite courses. However, it is recommended that this course be taken before any B1-level courses or specialized modules in Romanian language and literature, as it provides the introductory foundation necessary for the development of further language skills.
PREREQUISITES
To successfully engage with the course content, it is useful that the student possesses:
- a basic knowledge of Italian grammar, particularly of fundamental grammatical categories (noun, verb, adjective, pronoun), helpful for understanding similarities and differences with the Romanian system;
- a general competence in reading and comprehending short texts, essential for carrying out written comprehension activities;
- a minimal familiarity with language learning tools, such as bilingual dictionaries, audiovisual materials, and online platforms, useful to support independent study, especially for non-attending students or working learners.
No prior knowledge of the Romanian language is required.
PROPEDEUTICITY
No mandatory preparatory courses are required for enrollment in this course.
However, for students enrolled in linguistic and literary study paths, it is important that the course is taken concurrently with or after any introductory modules in general linguistics, if included in the study plan.
Teaching Methods (2)
TEACHING METHODS
The Basic Level Romanian Language course is organized through a balanced combination of various teaching activities aimed at ensuring the achievement of the learning objectives related to knowledge, comprehension, and practical application of the Romanian language.
1.Lectures (approximately 40% of total hours)
Lectures are dedicated to the systematic presentation of fundamental theoretical content, such as elements of phonetics, grammar, vocabulary, and Romanian culture. During the lectures, the instructor introduces basic linguistic structures, provides detailed explanations, examples, and cultural contexts, encouraging active student participation through questions and brief discussions.
2.Exercises (approximately 30% of total hours)
Exercises involve practical consolidation activities, such as written and oral tasks aimed at applying grammatical rules, constructing sentences, understanding texts and dialogues, and expanding vocabulary. Exercises are carried out individually or in small groups under the guidance of the instructor or teaching assistants, fostering interaction and immediate correction of errors.
3.Language Laboratory (approximately 20% of total hours)
Language laboratory activities focus on listening, pronunciation, oral production, and communicative interaction. Using multimedia tools (audio, video, digital platforms) and simulations of real-life situations, students develop practical skills in oral communication and listening comprehension by engaging in role-plays, dialogues, and guided listening activities.
4.Seminars and other activities (approximately 10% of total hours)
Complementary activities include short seminars on cultural and traditional aspects of Romania, group work, oral and written presentations, as well as formative self-assessment tests to monitor student progress. Additionally, students are encouraged to conduct individual or group research on specific topics to deepen their cultural and linguistic knowledge.
TEACHING METHODS
The course is structured to ensure the progressive and integrated development of linguistic competences (comprehension, production, interaction, mediation), in line with the learning objectives of CEFR level A1-A2 and the overall educational goals of the degree programme.
The teaching activities are organized as follows:
- Lectures (30 hours): focused on presenting the fundamental theoretical notions of Romanian phonetics, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary, with particular attention to contrastive elements with the Italian language. Lectures will be interactive and student participation will be actively encouraged.
- Practical exercises (20 hours): aimed at consolidating grammatical structures and expanding vocabulary through guided activities in reading, listening, comprehension, and oral and written production. Authentic and didactic materials will be used (texts, audio, video, worksheets).
- Language laboratories (optional) (up to 10 hours): support activities focused on improving oral comprehension and production through role-plays, pronunciation exercises, simulated dialogues, and interactive activities using multimedia resources.
- Individual and group assignments: students will be asked to complete grammatical exercises, short written texts (self-presentations, descriptions, emails), simple translations, and vocabulary/grammar reinforcement tasks to be carried out weekly at home.
- Ongoing self-assessment tests: short oral and written evaluations will be proposed periodically to monitor learning progress and strengthen students' linguistic awareness and autonomy.
All activities are designed to promote a communicative approach and cooperative learning, emphasizing motivation and active student engagement, in accordance with the principles of modern foreign language teaching.
Assessment Methods (2)
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1.Type and structure of the tests
The final exam consists of both oral and written components, organized as follows:
- Online written test: includes exercises on reading comprehension, translation of short texts from Romanian to Italian and vice versa, and open-ended questions aimed at assessing basic grammatical and lexical knowledge. The written test is designed to verify comprehension skills, written production, and theoretical knowledge of the language.
- In-person oral exam: consists of an interview during which the student must demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately in everyday situations, using learned grammatical structures and vocabulary. The oral exam may include brief personal descriptions, answers to questions, simulated dialogues, and simple presentations.
2.Language of the exam
The exam is primarily conducted in Romanian, with the possibility of using Italian for clarifications or explanations, especially during the written phase.
3.Evaluation criteria
Assessment takes into account the following elements:
- Consistency and grammatical and lexical accuracy: ability to correctly use basic linguistic structures and vocabulary appropriate to the level.
- Skills in comprehension and written and oral production: effectiveness in understanding simple texts and producing coherent, appropriate, and comprehensible texts.
- Communication skills: relevance and adequacy of oral and written responses in relation to the proposed communicative contexts.
- Completeness and relevance of information: ability to answer questions thoroughly and address assigned topics.
- Ability to apply learned rules and procedures: demonstration of the ability to put theoretical knowledge into practice, even in simulated or contextualized situations.
ASSESSMENT METHODS
The assessment of the achievement of the expected learning outcomes, as indicated in the educational objectives, takes place through the following methods:
1. Type and structure of the examination:
The final exam consists of a written test on the Moodle platform, including exercises on reading comprehension, grammar, and the production of short texts, and an oral exam in which the student must demonstrate the ability to understand and use basic language structures, express themselves in a simple and coherent way in Romanian, respond to comprehension questions based on spoken and written texts, and produce short oral or written texts.
The overall evaluation is expressed on a 30-point scale.
2. Language of the exam:
The exam is conducted in Italian and Romanian.
3. Evaluation criteria:
The evaluation is based on the following elements:
· correctness and appropriateness in the use of basic morphology and syntax;
· ability to comprehend and produce oral and written language in simple and everyday contexts;
· coherence and relevance of responses;
· correct use of basic vocabulary;
· ability to apply grammatical and lexical knowledge in concrete communicative situations;
· skills in analyzing and synthesizing communicative content;
· completeness of the information provided and correct use of specific terminology.
These methods ensure consistency between the course’s educational objectives and the assessment of language competences in line with CEFR level A1.
Texts (2)
V. Negrițesu, N. Neșu, "Grammatica d'uso della lingua romena. Teoria ed esercizi", Hoepli, Milano 2014;Biagini A., Storia della Romania contemporanea, Milano, 2004;
A. Biagini, "Storia della Romania contemporanea", Bompiani, Milano 2004;
I. Carannante, "Eugène Ionesco tra storia e memoria. Le radici storiche e ideologiche del suo teatro", Criterion, Milano 2020;
G. Vălcan, "Io sono ombra. Poesie scelte", Criterion, Milano 2021.
Valentina Negrițescu, "Grammatica d'uso della lingua romena", Milano, Hoepli, 2018.
Matei Vișniec, "Il Cabaret Dada", Criterion, Milano, 2020.
Irma Carannante, "Eugène Ionesco tra storia e memoria. Le radici storiche e ideologiche del suo teatro", Criterion, Milano, 2019.
Contents (2)
Romanian Language I – Basic Level (A1-A2)
List of Topics:
- Romanian alphabet and pronunciation: introduction to the sounds and letters specific to the Romanian language;
- Greetings and introductions: polite expressions, introducing oneself and others;
- Numbers, dates, and time: counting, indicating the date, telling the time;
- Basic grammar: definite and indefinite articles, gender and number of nouns, personal pronouns, regular verbs in the present tense;
- Everyday vocabulary: family, home, food, clothing, leisure time;
- Essential expressions for daily life: asking for information, shopping, ordering at a restaurant;
- Interrogative and negative sentences: structure and usage;
- Cultural elements: overview of Romanian customs, traditions, and holidays;
- Reading and comprehension of short written texts (dialogues, messages, simple emails);
- Written and oral production: writing a short autobiographical text, describing places and people, engaging in simple conversations.
Romanian Language I – CEFR Level A1/A2
List of Topics:
- Introduction to Romanian phonetics and phonology: alphabet, pronunciation, stress, intonation;
- Basic communicative structures: greetings, polite expressions, introductions;
- Subject personal pronouns and the verbs a fi (to be) and a avea (to have) in the present tense;
- Numbers (cardinal and ordinal), use of time and date;
- Definite and indefinite articles: general rules and exceptions;
- Gender and number of nouns and adjectives;
- Affirmative, interrogative, and negative sentence structures: word order and intonation;
- Regular verbs and main irregular verbs in the present tense;
- Simple and complex prepositions: spatial and temporal use;
- Basic vocabulary: the person, the family, the house, food, places in the city;
- Everyday dialogues and communicative situations (shopping, ordering at a bar/restaurant, asking for directions, booking accommodation);
- Introduction to the past tense (perfect compus);
- Agreement between subject and verb, noun and adjective;
- Comprehension of simple spoken and written texts (dialogues, short messages, emails, announcements);
- Guided written production (short personal descriptions, forms, simple emails);
- Elements of Romanian culture and civilization: holidays, customs and traditions, basic geographical knowledge.
Course Language
Italian
More information (2)
There is no additional information.
There is no further information.