Analisi degli errori grammaticali e dei quesiti in un esame d'italiano della quarta media

Abstract

This study is based on the analysis of the end of year examinations given in a state school's 4th Form i.e. to 14 and 15 year olds. The objectives of the study are threefold. Importance is primarily given to the ortographic, morphologic and lexic problems which students of this age face in formulating Italian essays. At the same time, an attempt is made to identify the various difficulties that they meet in the drafting of a summary. Secondly the examination paper itself has to be carefully studied so as to see whether or not it has achieved the aim for which it was initially prepared i.e. to give a balanced and accurate assessment of a student's progress during the scholastic year. Too much emphasis is sometimes placed on certain aspects while others are taken too lightly. Finally the results of this study aim to give a deeper and therefore more realistic view of the teaching of Italian as a foreign language in Malta. With this greater insight into the problems involved, it is to be expected that more effective teaching programmes could be prepared.