Lesson 1: The Italian Alphabet and Pronunciation

Italian Alphabet

1. Introduction to the Italian Alphabet
   • Overview of the 21 letters in the Italian alphabet
   • Comparison with the English alphabet
2. The Letters and Their Names
   • Pronunciation and examples for each letter
   • Special attention to letters not native to Italian but used in borrowed words (J, K, W, X, Y)

Pronunciation of Vowels and Consonants

1. Vowels (Le vocali)
   • A, E, I, O, U: Each vowel’s pronunciation
   • Open and closed vowel sounds (E and O)
2. Consonants (Le consonanti)
   • Pronunciation of single consonants
   • Common consonant combinations (e.g., ch, gh, gn, gl, sc)
   • Soft and hard sounds of C and G
3. Special Cases
   • Double consonants and their distinct pronunciation
   • Silent letters and their impact on pronunciation

Accent Marks and Their Uses

1. Types of Accent Marks
   • Acute accent (é) vs. grave accent (è)
   • Circumflex (^) in borrowed words
2. Rules for Accent Placement
   • Syllable stress in Italian words
   • Differences in meaning due to accent placement (e.g., e vs. è)
3. Common Words with Accents
   • Examples of frequently used words with accent marks
   • Exercises to identify correct accent use

Pronunciation Practice Exercises

1. Vowel Practice
   • Repetition exercises focusing on vowel sounds
   • Example words for each vowel
2. Consonant Practice
   • Repetition exercises focusing on consonant sounds
   • Example words for each consonant and combination
3. Sentence Practice
   • Short sentences for comprehensive pronunciation practice
   • Emphasis on natural intonation and rhythm
4. Listening and Repeating
   • Suggested audio resources for additional practice
   • Tips for self-recording and evaluation
5. Interactive Exercises
   • Matching sounds to letters
   • Identifying accents in written text