Italian Beginners
Why Study a Language?
Studying a language will help you to understand more about other cultures and give you a more international perspective on the world. It will help you to survive and enjoy many basic situations abroad or with visitors from other countries. You will learn to:
- Introduce yourself and others.
- Find and buy the things you need.
- Find your way around.
- Express opinions and preferences.
- Describe people and places.
Entry Requirements
This course can be taken in addition to your main courses and is for those who have no (or very little) prior knowledge of the language. There are no specific entry requirements other than an interest in learning a new language.
The Course
The course is very personalised. You will have one lesson a week based in a computer room, so that you can explore language-learning materials and learn at your own pace. There will also be one or two other weekly sessions with a specialist teacher. There is some choice of examination, so you can be entered for the exams that suit you best.
Course Activities
You will frequently work with others in pairs and groups to practise speaking. You will play games, use language-learning websites, listen to recordings and view videos in the language laboratory to improve listening skills. You will read texts and also learn how to write basic sentences. You will be taught how to express some opinions and how to use some basic grammatical structures. Individual study in the language resource base will be encouraged. We aim to give you the opportunity to meet native speakers so you can use your language in an authentic context.
Career and Progression Opportunities
Knowing another language will make you stand out over those who only speak one language. This will help your UCAS application and make you more employable (you may even earn more). An additional language is useful in service industries, business, manufacturing, banking, finance, law, journalism and teaching, to name but a few.
Course Structure and Assessment
The examinations are divided into separate skills (Speaking & Listening and Reading & Writing) and will be either ABC Level 1 or GCSE.
GCSE Reading & Listening
Formal exam with listening and reading texts with comprehension questions. Responses will be a mixture of crosses or letters in a box, multiple choice and longer answers.
GCSE Speaking
A role play, a response to a photo card and a general conversation. 12 minutes preparation time is allowed immediately beforehand.
GCSE Writing
A number of creative writing tasks of different lengths and of different styles. A translation from English into the target language.
ABC Reading & Writing
Formal reading exam with texts and comprehension questions. Responses will be a mixture of crosses or letters in a box, multiple choice and longer answers.
ABC Speaking & Listening
Formal listening exam with audio tracks and comprehension questions. Responses will be a mixture of crosses or letters in a box, multiple choice and longer answers.
There will be time to prepare the speaking tasks beforehand. The assessments will be a presentation, role-play or interview. One task will be recorded.
Assessments spread throughout the course.
Additional Information
Examination Board: Edexcel or ABC Awards 1 hour self-study, this can usually be spent learning for weekly vocab tests and writing up lesson notes. Once or twice a half term there will be a speaking or writing task to prepare.