Asking and giving information in telecollaboration in Italian as a Foreign Language (IFL)

Abstract

This study, framed within the I3CE Programme of Research Networks in University Teaching of the UA, intends to observe the general practice of dyadic oral interaction of IFL learners with native Italian speakers and, specifically, to identify the strategies and tactics used to activate the function “Giving and asking for information” at level A2 of proficiency, in addition to giving information to the interlocutor about non-verbal communication in Italian. In an academic context, the criteria established by the CERFL are employed, based on the PCIC inventory applied to Italian at this level of proficiency. The oral material produced by the learners, who use CALLT and MALLT technologies, is subject to transcription and is included in the student portfolio of the subject, which will be delivered in both hard and soft copy, the latter through the university platform applications. As to the methodology, through the design, implementation and evaluation of the activity, which are the three fundamental phases of the procedure, results will be obtained from the analysis of the performed communication skills related to “giving and asking for information”, in this stage of interlanguage of the trainees. The results obtained are intended to provide the necessary improvements in the programme of this subject, Lengua D-II Italiano, according to the action-research approach.