Italian Beginners

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC NESA Developed Course

A Beginners course is intended to cater for students who have very little or no prior knowledge of a language. All intending Beginners language students must complete the Beginners Languages Eligibility Declaration

Note: Please check eligibility rules with your teacher.

What backbround knowledge do I need to study Italian Beginners?

It is essential that students have had no more than 100 hours of study of Italian at the secondary level or have not spent more than three months in Italy as exchange students. Speak to a language teacher regarding eligibility requirements.

Why study Italian Beginners?

• Italy is one of the most industrially and economically advanced nations in the world and ranks among Australia’s top international trading partners. Italy remains a strong buyer of Australian primary products, while Australia has been a consistent buyer of Italian technology and design.

• Language learning interacts well with other subjects such as Music, Visual Arts, Geography, History, Hospitality or other languages to mention just a few. It even goes well with Mathematics and Science where students learn to hypothesise and experiment with new concepts. Students learn how to learn and relearn new things.

• Italians and the Italian language make a distinctive contribution to politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, science, literature, film and theatre. The study of Italian enhances students’ enjoyment and appreciation of these areas. Students have much to gain by acquiring knowledge of the language and cultural heritage of Italy.

The aim of the course is to foster within students the ability to:

• communicate with others

• understand the connection between Italian and English and improve their English vocabulary and grammar

• apply Italian to work, further study or leisure

• develop their knowledge and understanding of Italian through communicative tasks across a range of themes and topics.

In the Year 11 course, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Italian across a range of topics. These will be explored through the integrated use of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

In the HSC course, students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Italian through these four skills. Study may cover new topics or more detailed treatment of topics previously studied.

Main topics covered:

During the two-year course, students develop the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in the following topics:

• Personal information

• Family and friends

• Physical condition

• Weather

• Leisure, sport, music,

• Holidays, accommodation, transport

• School

• Eating and drinking, shopping and services, social interaction

• Special events

• Future aspirations

Learning strategies:

• Regular memorisation of language structures and vocabulary and their practical application through reinforcement exercises in the four skills are paramount for steady progress to occur. Homework tasks need to be done regularly by students after each new unit of work e.g. workbook exercises, worksheets, speaking and writing tasks.

• Students are encouraged to seek further experience in Italian beyond the classroom walls, such as Italian magazines, Italian websites and films.

What other opportunities does Italian Beginners offer me?

• Hosting overseas students through student-exchange organisations.

• Taking part in a student-exchange program, AFS, AGSES, Southern Cross. (Information available from the Italian teacher and the Exchange Co-ordinator.)

• Opportunity to travel to Italy and study at the University for Foreigners in Perugia.

• Joining in conversation classes at school and at Co.As.It.