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70 million people speak Italian as a first language. It is the official language of Italy and parts of Switzerland and an official language of the European Union. With Italy being worth more than £8 billion to the UK economy, Italian appears to have a high profile in labour market research, making it the fourth most frequently requested language in job advertisements for languages.

British Council (2014), Languages for the Future

What's it like to learn Italian with the IWLP?

Read posts from former students on our blog. You can also read about how you’ll learn on an IWLP module and the reasons why you should take an IWLP module.

Students of IWLP Italian may also get the chance for some extra-curricular activities, such as conversation clubs and film screenings. There are also Study Abroad opportunities in Italy.

How do I sign up?

For detailed information, see our how to apply page.

New students arriving for their first year 
who are permitted and wish to take an Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) module for credit, starting in Semester 1, must contact the module selection team at moduleselection@reading.ac.uk.  Please ensure that you use your university email account, providing the module code and title you would like to take. If you are unable to take an IWLP module for credit, you can still take the module non-credit - please see below.

Existing students who want to take an IWLP module for credit in the following academic year need to sign up via RISIS module selection. All non-credit students must submithe non-credit application form - please note that non-credit applications open in September.

Placement test

All students who wish to take Italian, are asked to complete a placement test even if you are a beginner, so that we can put you in the correct stage please note that the placement test is only open from April to October.

Language ladder

If your placement test suggests that your ability is already higher than the modules offered by the IWLP, or if you have already completed Stage 3, you might be able to enrol on one of the language modules offered within the degree programme, which are available as credit and non-credit options.

More information is available from the Italian Language Lead.

Modules available

LA1PI1-IWLP ITALIAN 1

This beginner’s module is for students who have no prior knowledge or virtually no knowledge of Italian. This module will provide an introduction to Italian, concentrating on its use in familiar, everyday situations. Students will acquire a basic understanding of the language and the ability to communicate at a survival level.

Italian 1 module description 

LA1PI2-IWLP ITALIAN 2

This post-beginner module is for students who have some basic knowledge of Italian, such as that acquired by attending LA1PI1 or equivalent. Students will increase their ability to communicate in Italian by consolidating and building on their existing knowledge of language necessary for everyday situations.

Italian 2 module description 

LA1PI3-IWLP ITALIAN 3

This lower-intermediate module is for students who have some previous knowledge of Italian, such as that acquired by attending LA1P2 or equivalent. Students will increase their ability to communicate in Italian through engagement with a range of socially relevant and interesting topics, such as the contemporary media, climate and local traditions, and a short research project.

Italian 3 module description