Curriculum
The Italian Department consists of two native speakers and one bilingual teacher. As we believe that enthusiasm and interest are key factors in learning, the learning of language, literature and cultural history of Italy is taught through a wide range of activities devised to integrate and enhance the main textbooks. So, for example songs and role-plays will accompany the course in Year 8, while poetry writing will provide a focus for Year 9.
Year 10, the first year of GCSE, can visit Montepulciano (Siena) on an exchange with the Liceo Linguistico San Bellarmino, which is now in its 17th year. The diaries written in Italian during the stay have been published in the school magazine and entered for prize competitions. AS and A2 provide further stimulation with the introduction of Italian current affairs, literature – the current set books are by Ammaniti and Pirandello- and a successful film club. Outings, speakers and another nine-day exchange with the Liceo Scientifico Benedetti in Venice, add to the breath of Italian actually on offer at JAGS.
Year 8
Girls start learning their second modern foreign language in Year 8. Therefore the aim of the year is to establish pupils’ confidence in communicating in Italian, first of all orally, where good pronunciation and intonation will be established, and in writing. In the process pupils will learn a solid core of vocabulary and learn basic grammar.
Grammar and vocabulary will be related to the following topics: myself, family and friends, daily routine, home, house and towns, shopping for food, money and eating. Links to the cultural, geographical and historical background of Italy will be explored.
Year 9
Pupils widen their range of structures and vocabulary. In particular the course will aim at establishing a confident use of presente and passato prossimo and in general a competent manipulation of the language in speaking as well as in writing.
Year 10 and 11 GCSE course (Edexcel)
Four lessons per week + one oral lesson in Year 11
The course aims to develop the ability to use the language effectively for practical communication both in speech and in writing. It will foster an understanding and awareness of Italy, its people and their way of life. It will offer enjoyment, a sense of achievement and intellectual stimulation.
Skills and method
Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be developed to achieve the overall aim of communicating and understanding Italian. Pupils will have opportunities to work together developing and improving their skills in role plays, conversation and dialogues, presentations and discussions.
Content
- Everyday activities Life at home, food and drink, health and fitness, school
- Personal and social life Myself, family and friends, free time and social activities
- The world around us Hometown and local area, the environment and society
- The world of work Further education and work, language and communication in the workplace
- The international world Travel at home and abroad, world events and issues.
Visits abroad
The exchange visit to the Liceo Linguistico San Bellarmino in Montepulciano (Siena) is a well-established event in the second year.
Assessment
100% terminal examination in listening, speaking, reading and writing, each weighting 25%.
Year 12 and 13 AS and A2
Eight lessons per week + one oral lesson
The course is divided into six units, three of which are taken for AS and three for A2. Units 1 to 3 are designed as stepping stones halfway between GCSE and A2.
Unit 1: Listening - news items: pupils have control over the cassette. This test is mostly in the target language and includes a summary of one of the items, to be written in English.
Unit 2: Reading - a variety of exercises, mainly in the target language plus a short written essay in the form of a response to an article.
Unit 3: Speaking - pupils select an issue related to the countries they are studying. They will research, present it and discuss it with the examiner, who often is the teacher.
During Year 12, pupils will start reading the work of leading writers in Italian.
Units 4, 5 and 6 are taken at the end of Year 13 for A2.
Unit 4: A more demanding speaking exam: pupils will choose a controversial issue. They will research it and then defend and argue their point of view so as to convince the examiner. The discussion will then proceed on at least three more topics of interest.
Unit 5: Pupils will be asked to write two essays in Italian on two books by leading authors.
Unit 6: A more complex discursive essay on a current topic or a piece of creative writing plus a further listening and reading test.
Visits:
10 days exchange with Liceo Scientifico Statale Galilei, Venezia. Work placements in Italy are also organised in Year 13.