Aiming for the ‘perfect blend’: integrating e-learning in teaching Italian at UG level

The aim of this paper will be to illustrate in a critical way the impact of introducing extensive e-learning practices in the Italian language curriculum at Bristol over the last 5 years. The paper will offer an opportunity to share best practice while evaluating the advantages and disadvantages, theoretical and practical implications in terms of pedagogy and implementation of a blended approach to e-learning practices. The focus will be on upper intermediate and advanced learners and will comprise the full gamut of language skills, with a strong emphasis on assessment. The enormous advances in multimedia digital technology with the proliferation and availability of online material, the flourishing and institutionalisation of Virtual Learning Environments, different attitudes and habits in students towards ICT (social networking, mobile technologies, etc.) are all major changes which have exerted significant influence on current language teaching methodology and pedagogy. Embracing these changes has been an opportunity to reassess established teaching practices and try to maximise the advantages while also considering the limitations and difficulties for both tutors and students and how their respective identities, roles and expectations have been affected by this.