BA in History of Art

2. Department ofLanguage and Linguistic ScienceLanguages for All BA in History of Art Year 1: Since 2011-2012 all 1st year undergraduate students in the department of History of Art have to study a foreign language Year 2 or 3: Students are offered the chance to apply to take a further LFA language course as a 20-credit degree elective LFA Specialist language modules for Art Historians part of the BA in History of Art Programme • Italian Reading Skills for Art Historians Level 1(ab-initio; no previous knowledge of the language required)

3. THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module History of Art - The cohort Students’ background: international students v first time language learners Majority of HoAstudents are first time language learners Mixed group levels: ab-initio Italian language students alongside students with knowledge of basic Italian from independent studies or family connections Career focus is History of Art: students might not be strong language learners

4. THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module Learning Objectives To enable Italian ab-initio students to develop reading skills particularly relevant to the needs of Art Historians To study material in Italian which relates specifically to History of Art To learn to talk and write about works of art in Italian To make the most of future field trips to Italy

5. THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module Course outcomes Students to develop: Italian language skills History of Art specialist subject knowledge (through content language learning) READING AND WRITING As appropriate to level - reading, translation, summary skills Specialist vocabulary relating to painting, sculpture and architecture SPEAKING AND LISTENING Oral and listening skills relevant to History of Art but also in a general real-life context

6. THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module Collaborative approach between Art Historian and language tutor Sharing of expertise: - Awareness of the language learning process: ideally AH to be a fluent speaker of Italian or to be proficient in a foreign language Setting realistic targets: Meeting the commissioning Department’s expectations and identifying the highest achievable level.1. What is the proficiency level in a foreign language needed by an AH?2. What is the achievable level that students can reach? Setting appropriate learning objectives: Focus on reading skills or also general conversational Italian? Programme and material: 1. Generating crossover points with the existing BA programme2. Use of authentic material related to History of Art

7. THE CHALLENGES: Planning a specialist ab-initio language module Collaborative approach between Art Historian and language tutor SOW as a joint effort between Art Historian and Language tutor Language learning objectives and Art-related topics agreed with the department Manage student’s expectations of language learning outcomes

8. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology General Language learning: clear progression path • Basic Language Level bespoke teaching material – selected by the tutor Grammar Reading Writing Teaching Material Listening Speaking • Proficiency Language Level • Original sources

9. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology Specialist language learning • Basic Language Level Original sources Grammar Reading Writing Teaching Material Listening Speaking • Proficiency Language Level • Original sources

10. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology General & Specialist language teaching Interdisciplinary content teaching (Italian culture & History of Art) • Basic Language Level original sources • 70% • Basic Language Level bespoke teaching material • 30% Grammar Reading Writing Teaching Material Listening Teaching Material Speaking • Proficiency Language Level • Original sources • Proficiency Language Level • Original sources

11. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology Course booksSpecialist text book and general Italian language coursebook A1/A2 B2/C1 General Italian language : non specialist approach Real-life topics: useful for travelling to and around Italy Progressive learning Specialist topics related to HoA Aimed at Upper-intermediate / Advanced level learners Level similar to original sources

12. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology Teaching delivery: content-based language learning General language and communication skills: Tourism and Italian Art topic-focused role-plays Technical Vocabulary related to History of Art: colours, shades, architectural elements, painting techniques etc. Translation skills: relevant texts provided by the HoA department (part of the BA programme) Art critique: reading comprehension; oral and written production

13. 1. General language and communication skills Speaking skills focusing on employability in the field of History of Art

14. 2. Technical vocabulary related to History of Art ARCHITETTURA • La Cupola • La Volta • La Navata Centrale • Il Transetto ITALIAN Singular: Ilcapitello IONICO Plural: IcapitelliIONICI

15. 3. Translation skills relevant to the BA programme

16. 4. Art critique & History of Art

17. 4. Art critique & History of Art Transferable skills: the fun of learning a foreign language, from Art to reality

18. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology VLE site anddigital Students’ Portfolioshared between language tutor and Art historian Monitor students’ learning progress as good teaching practice Share students’ work with the commissioning department to discuss issues and achievements

19. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology

20. Interdisciplinary Language Teaching:Material and Methodology Multi-layered assessment and feedback Assessment and feedback on appropriateness of vocabulary and register, content and grammatical precision Application of the language in a creative and practical context (employability) Learning from observation through voice tools, audio/video files Portfolio provides an environment that promotes a private tutor-student interaction e.g. feedback on pronunciation

21. REFLECTING on TEACHING PRACTICE:Feedback analysis What the students say… “I am thinking about studying more Italian art in the future and when doing research it will be handy to be able to speak the language.” “Lessons are fun – great mix of group work, teacher-led presentations and individual speaking. I like that it’s related to art.” “I have particularly enjoyed learning terms to describe architecture as it benefits not only my Italian but my English.”

22. REFLECTING on TEACHING PRACTICE:Feedback analysis Students’ feedback Appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the course and learning a language through History of Art (develop an interest in Italian Art and Italy) Enjoy the integration between the modulesas students feel it will facilitate their future studies in History of Art Become aware of the importance of speaking a foreign language in their professional field Enhance their employabilityby having something ‘extra’ to offer Learn more about History of Art

23. REFLECTING on TEACHING PRACTICE:Feedback analysis Tutor’s perspective Students more engagedbecause they enjoy learning a language through History of Art Students feel more confidentabout approaching original sources as they already used to complex and technical vocabulary Better learning experience: e-portfolio as a personalized space similar to that of social media and a two-way communication tool where students have the opportunity to ask for individual feedback and further explanation Enhancing employability,self-confidence& overall self-esteem: students having something to show to potential employers (e-portfolio); ability to communicate and give basic guided tours in Italian; help for future studies and job applications or interviews

24. Thank you Cinzia Bacilieri cinzia.bacilieri@york.ac.uk