Skip to main content
College of Humanities
French & Italian
Donate

Returned Missionaries

Which Italian class should I start with?

Check the reference guide

This quick reference guide can help you decide which class you should start with depending on your Italian experience from a mission. These are all recommendations, you can start where you feel comfortable.

Use the add/drop week

BYU has an add/drop deadline after the first week of classes each semester. This gives you the opportunity to try out an Italian course and change to another one if you feel like your original class is not the right fit.

Meet with Dr. Paul or Dr. Orton

If you are unsure about your class placement, you can meet with Dr. Dan Paul (daniel_paul@byu.edu) or Dr. Marie Orton (marie_orton@byu.edu). They will conduct a mini OPI interview with you to determine your proficiency and guide your placement in an Italian course.

Double-check with self-evaluation

If you are still unsure or anxious about your class placement, the Center for Language Studies offers a self-evaluation proficiency test called the LASER. This test also provides you with a recommendation for where you should start according to your language ability. Learn more about this assessment on the Center for Language Studies website.

  • Recommended course: Italian 101 or Italian 102

    Italian 101 and Italian 102 aim to help students:

    • Become familiar with basic grammatical rules in Italian;
    • Understand simple sentences on familiar subjects in Italian;
    • And speak simple sentences on familiar subjects in Italian.

  • Recommended course: Italian 201
    Italian 201 is Intermediate Italian 1. It focuses on reading, writing, conversation, vocabulary building, and reviewing grammar.

    Italian 201 aims to help students:

    • Expand their knowledge of Italian grammar;
    • Learn how to handle most uncomplicated communication and social situations in Italian;
    • Sustain a general conversation;
    • Read texts dealing with descriptions and narration.

  • Recommended course: Italian 202
    Italian 202 is Intermediate Italian 2. It focuses on extensive reading in Italian literature and culture.

    Italian 202 aims to help students:

    • Develop a critical approach to Italian literature;
    • Apply the fundamentals of literary interpretation to the texts discussed in class;
    • And improve oral and written skills in Italian.

  • Recommended course: Italian 321
    Italian 321 is Advanced Language Skills Part 1. It focuses on an intensive review of grammar; vocabulary building and composition.

    Italian 321 aims to help students:

    • Show control of Italian morphology and increase their vocabulary knowledge;
    • Handle linguistic tasks and social situations in Italian with confidence;
    • Read and comment on short stories in Italian;
    • And communicate on topics of current public and personal interest.
Hidden image

Click below for more detailed course information from the University Catalog.

Explore Italian Courses