1. Five steps to better cultural projects
Sandra Palaich, Arizona State University

2. Been there, done that… Disconnected topics
Disparity in levels of difficulty
Atrocious language
Deathly boredom in the classroom

3. What makes for a good cultural project?
Relevant, interesting and well-integrated topic
Consistent level of difficulty
Linguistically sound and level-appropriate
Class is engaged and active
Easy to grade

4. Taking control
step 1
Topics selected by the instructor

5. You want to spend a month studying Italian in Italy this summer
You want to spend a month studying Italian in Italy this summer. With a partner, research two Italian cities in which Italian language schools for foreigners are located. You want to convince your classmates to go with you. You and your partner will compare the two cities you selected and the schools located in them in terms of their location, size, population, climate, possible activities to do there, food, costs and anything else you consider relevant. Remember, you goal is to convince your classmates to come to your city and school. Length: 5 minutes. Absolutely no notes allowed!
Alghero
Arezzo
Bologna
Cagliari
Catania
Ferrara
Firenze
Genova
Lecce
Livorno
Milano
Orvieto
Padova
Palermo
Perugia
Pisa
Recanati
Reggio Emilia
San Severino
Siena
Siracusa
Sorrento
Spoleto
Taormina
Torino
Trieste
Udine
Venezia
Verona
Viareggio

6. step 2 Ensuring quality of research and language control
Submission in three phases:
idea and outline (10 pts)
sources (10 pts)
slides and vocabulary (30 pts)

7. step 3 In-class presentation (50 pts) Style: eye contact, no reading
Content: engaging, dynamic, visually appealing
Style: eye contact, no reading
Length: short, well-rehearsed
Language: level-appropriate and accessible

8. step 4 Engage the class Vote for favorite school Prize for the winner
Must ask questions
Vote for favorite school
Prize for the winner

10. step 5 Streamlined grading Grading rubric for presentation
Grading rubrics for each phase of the project
Grading rubric for presentation

15. Your turn
What other cohesive topic sets could we use in intermediate Italian?
Could any of the steps be omitted to further streamline the process?
How could the rubrics be improved upon?
What are some of your best practices?

16. Workshop participants’ ideas for topic sets:
Regional cuisines of Italy
A battle of recipes
Outfits, dress code, clothing for various situations
Political systems: imaginary, utopian ideals; creating a perfect political system
Advertising: comparing adds
Professions: cultural comparisons
Nightlife in different cities in Italy
Comparison of political figures in ITA and US
Comparison of different accommodations (B&B, hotel, etc.)
Comparison of airliners
Comparison of trains in Italy
Italian firms (related to their field)
Employment opportunity
Personal interactions, body language

17. Thank you!