One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages opens every door along the way.” – Frank Smith

Italian is a popular subject choice at the VCE level. Apart from the obvious advantage of boosting the final ENTER score, it provides students with the opportunity of mastering a second language and making real connections with other places in the world. In addition, students maybe eligible to receive the VCE (Baccalaureate) if they choose Italian along with English, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths. Tertiary institutions like universities, have indicated that they strongly support initiatives that encourage students to study a language and higher level mathematics in VCE. 

Students also have the opportunity to experience Italy live during the Study Tour of Italy (which is organised every two years) and participate in activities at a high school in Naples, Italy. 

The 4 units of study cover topics like the use of technology and social media in Italy and Australia and the study of different Italian passions.  

Unit 1 Italian

This unit involves students extending their language skills through developing the capacity to speak and write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences in a variety of ways.

Students are required to maintain an organised collection of their course work in the form of a workbook/technological folio which includes a variety of tasks in written, oral, speaking and reading. There are three areas of study: 1) Interpersonal communication 2) Interpretive communication and 3) Presentational communication. 

Some possible topics are:

1. Italian food and cooking. 
2. Italian Passions.
3. Future ambitions. 
4. Il carnevale.

Students also participate in Italian breakfasts, Italian lunches, excursions, cooking of Italian food and play on line games for example, kahoot.it which revises their work and encourages a fun and interactive way to learn Italian.

Outcomes

The following are the three outcomes which need to be assessed in unit 1;

• Outcome 1 – To be able to exchange meaning in a spoken interaction in Italian. For example, to participate in a conversation, role-play or interview. 

• Outcome 2 – To be able to interpret information from two texts on the same subtopic presented in Italian, and respond in writing in Italian and in English. For example, to write a film review.

• Outcome 3 – To be able to present information, concepts and ideas in writing in Italian on the selected subtopic and for a specific audience and purpose. For example, to create and write a power point presentation or to write a children's story. 

Unit 2 Italian

This unit continues to build on the knowledge and skills acquired. Students develop an understanding of aspects of language and culture through the study of the three prescribed themes which include: 1) The Indiviual 2) The Italian-Speaking Communities and 3) The World Around Us. 

Possible topics are:

1. School life in Australia and Italy
2. Health
3. Entertainment in Italy
4. Italian contribution to Australian society, like food, coffee and restaurants.

Students participate in an excursion to Carlton or to Melbourne University promoting positive learning. 

Outcomes

Outcome 1 – To be able to respond in writing in Italian to spoken, written or visual texts presented in Italian. 

Outcome 2 – To be able to analyse and use information from written, spoken or visual texts to produce an extended written response in Italian.

Outcome 3 – To 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 Italian

These final 2 units involve students extending their language skills through developing the capacity to speak and write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences in a variety of ways. Students learn via interactive games and participate in excursions in order to enhance their learning. In addition, there is an advantage of boosting the final ENTER score when students choose to study Italian at year 12. 

Students are required to maintain an organised collection of their course work and handouts in the form of a workbook/technological folio; and present, orally and in writing, various situational events.

Possible topics are:

1. Love the Italian style, as depicted through art/music.
2. Immigration to Italy.
3. Tourism in Italy.     

 

Outcomes

The three outcomes assessed during this unit of work are the following;

OUTCOME 1 – To be able to to participate in a spoken exchange in Italian to resolve a personal issue.

OUTCOME 2    To be able to interpret information from texts and write responses in Italian.

OUTCOME 3 - To be able to to express ideas in a personal, informative or imaginative piece of writing in Italian. 

Unit 4 Italian

Students investigate aspects of culture through the study of two or more subtopics from the prescribed themes and topics, which include the following: 1) The Individual 2) The Italian-speaking communities and 3) The World Around Us. 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. Finally, students consolidate and extend vocabulary, grammar knowledge and language skills to investigate the topics through Italian and participate in engaging and interactive games which encourages growth mindset and learning successfully. 

Possible topics are: 1) The Hospitality Industry and 2) The influence of science and technology. 

Outcomes

The following are the three outcomes assessed for this unit:

OUTCOME 1:  To be able to share information, ideas and opinions in a spoken exchange in Italian. 

OUTCOME 2:  To be able to to analyse information from written, spoken and viewed texts for use in a written response in Italian.  

OUTCOME 3:  To be able to present information, concepts and ideas in evaluative or persuasive writing on an issue in Italian. 

Assessment

Contact Teacher - Rose Marasco