Why Study Italian?

The study of Italian contributes to student personal development in a range of areas including communication skills, intercultural understanding, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. Learning and using an additional language encourages students to examine the influences on their perspectives and society, and to consider issues important for effective personal, social and international communication. It enables students to examine the nature of language, including their own, and the role of culture in language, communication and identity. By understanding the process of language learning, students can apply skills and knowledge to other contexts and languages. Learning a language engages analytical and reflective capabilities and enhances critical and creative thinking.

The study of Italian provides students with the ability to understand and use a language that is spoken in Italy, Vatican City and San Marino. Italian is one of the official languages of Switzerland and the European Union. Italian is widely spoken in Malta, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia and Libya and is also spoken by communities of Italian speakers who migrated to countries such as Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States. It provides students with a direct means of access to the rich and varied cultures of the many communities around the world for whom Italian is a means of communication.

The study of a specific language exposes students to different experiences and perspectives at a personal level. It encourages students to be open to different ways of thinking, acting and interacting in the world, even beyond the language being studied and their own language. A broad range of social, economic and vocational opportunities result from study in a second language. Students are able to engage with Italian-speaking communities in Australia and internationally in a variety of endeavours, such as tourism, hospitality, the arts, diplomacy, social services, journalism, commerce, fashion, education, translating and interpreting.

Structure

The study is made up of four units:

Each unit deals with specific content and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and skills.

Outcomes

Outcomes define what students will know and be able to do as a result of undertaking the study.

Outcomes include a summary statement and the key knowledge and skills that underpin them. Only the summary statements have been reproduced below and must be read in conjunction with the key knowledge and skills published in the study design.

Unit 1

In this unit students develop an understanding of the language and culture/s of Italian-speaking communities through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes listed on page 11. Each area of study in the unit must focus on a different subtopic. Students access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Italian and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills. They focus on analysing cultural products or practices including visual, spoken or written texts.

Cultural products or practices can be drawn from a diverse range of texts, activities and creations. These may include the following: stories, poems, plays, novels, songs, films, photographs, artworks, architecture, technology, food, clothing, sports and festivals. Students apply acquired knowledge of Italian culture and language to new contexts.

Students reflect on the interplay between language and culture, and its impact on the individual’s language use in specific contexts and for specific audiences.

Area of Study 1

Interpersonal Communication

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to exchange meaning in a spoken interaction in Italian.

Area of Study 2

Interpretive communication

Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to interpret information from two texts on the same subtopic presented in Italian, and respond in writing in Italian and in English.

Area of Study 3

Presentational communication

Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to present information, concepts and ideas in writing in Italian on the selected subtopic and for a specific audience and purpose.

Unit 2

In this unit students develop an understanding of aspects of language and culture through the study of three or more topics from the prescribed themes listed on page 11. Each area of study must focus on a different subtopic. Students analyse visual, spoken and written texts. They access and share useful information on the topics and subtopics through Italian and consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills.

Cultural products or practices can be used to demonstrate how culture and perspectives may vary between communities. Students reflect on the interplay between language and culture, and its impact on meaning, understanding and the individual’s language use in specific contexts and for specific audiences.

Area of Study 1

Interpersonal Communication

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to respond in writing in Italian to spoken, written or visual
texts presented in Italian.

Area of Study 2

Interpretive communication

Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and use information from written, spoken or visual texts to produce an extended written response in Italian.

Area of Study 3

Presentational communication

Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain information, ideas and concepts orally in Italian to a specific audience about an aspect of culture within communities where Italian is spoken.

Unit 3

In this unit students investigate the way Italian speakers interpret and express ideas, and negotiate and persuade in Italian through the study of three or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Each area of study must cover a different subtopic, though teachers may choose to teach more than one subtopic in an area of study.
Students interpret information, inform others, and reflect upon and develop persuasive arguments. They access and share useful information on the subtopics through Italian, and consolidate and extend vocabulary and grammar knowledge and language skills.
Students consider the influence of language and culture in shaping meaning and reflect on the practices, products and perspectives of the cultures of Italian-speaking communities. They reflect on how knowledge of Italian and
Italian-speaking communities can be applied in a range of contexts and endeavours, such as further study, travel, business or community involvement.

Area of Study 1

Interpersonal Communication

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to participate in a spoken exchange in Italian to resolve a personal issue.

Area of Study 2

Interpretive communication

Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to interpret information from texts and write responses in Italian.

Area of Study 3

Presentational communication

Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to express ideas in a personal, informative or imaginative piece of writing in Italian.

Unit 4

In this unit students investigate aspects of culture through the study of two or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics. Area of Study 1 and Area of Study 2 may focus on the same subtopic. Area of Study 3 should
cover a different subtopic to the subtopic/s chosen for Areas of Study 1 and 2. Students build on their knowledge of Italian-speaking communities, considering cultural perspectives and language and explaining personal observations.
Students consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills to investigate the topics through Italian. Students identify and reflect on cultural products or practices that provide insights into Italian-speaking communities. Cultural products or practices can be drawn from a diverse range of texts, activities and creations. Students reflect on the ways culture, place and time influence values, attitudes and behaviours. They consider how knowledge of more than one culture can influence the ways individuals relate to each other and function in the world.

Area of Study 1

Interpersonal Communication

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to share information, ideas and opinions in a spoken exchange in Italian.

Area of Study 2

Interpretive communication

Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse information from written, spoken and viewed texts for use in a written response in Italian.

Area of Study 3

Presentational communication

Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to present information, concepts and ideas in evaluative or persuasive writing on an issue in Italian.

Assessment

Satisfactory Completion
Demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit.

Levels of Achievement

Units 1 and 2

Emmaus College students complete graded Assessment Tasks and Semester Examinations as part of the Assessment process for Units 1 and 2.

Units 3 and 4

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will supervise the assessment of all students undertaking Units 3 and 4.

School-assessed coursework and end-of-year examinations:

Unit 3 school-assessed coursework: 25 per cent
Unit 4 school-assessed coursework: 25 per cent
Examinations*: oral component 12.5 per cent, written component 37.5 per cent

*A single grade is awarded.