GCSE Italian
The Italian GCSE course at Ashbourne College is is an exciting opportunity to study a beautiful language and gain an insight into Italy and its culture. The main focus of the course is on the acquisition of language required in everyday social interaction and great emphasis will be placed on communication. No previous formal experience of learning Italian is required.
Italy is a vibrant and intriguing country with a great historical heritage. Italian is a popular choice for language students. It is the language of food, fashion, art and business. The study of languages opens up opportunities to study and work abroad. It encourages students to use a different part of their brain, develop confidence and learn to appreciate a culture other than their own. The study of grammar often improves their competence in English. Students who hope to pursue courses and careers overseas may well find they need a relevant qualification in a modern language.
The GCSE syllabus for Italian studied at Ashbourne is Edexcel.
There are four units in total for GCSE Italian
The content is divided into themes. The themes are:
There are four units in total for Italian GCSE.
Listening and understanding in Italian
This unit tests demonstrate understanding of spoken audio material, including both formal (for example a telephone message) and informal speech (for example social interaction).
Speaking in Italian
The focus of the speaking unit is chosen by the teacher in consultation with the student and is related to one or more of the following themes: media and culture, sport and leisure, travel and tourism, work and employment (or the centre-devised option according to the student’s ability or choice).
The student must demonstrate the ability to use the Italian language for different purposes and in different settings and will be assessed on two speaking activities chosen from the following task types: an open interaction, a picture-based free-flowing discussion and a presentation with discussion following.
Reading and understanding in Italian
This consists of a number of short texts, notices or news reports in Italian, which include a range of settings and styles as in unit 1.
Writing in Italian
The choice of themes is from the same list as in unit 2 but the task subtitle must be different.
The student must complete two separate writing tasks of around 200 words, each which must be undertaken in controlled conditions in a single assessment session of no more than one hour.
Listening and understanding in Italian
It is externally assessed and takes place in May.
Students will have to answer various question types to demonstrate understanding of spoken audio material, including both formal (for example a telephone message) and informal speech (for example social interaction).
40 minutes for higher tier,
40 marks, 20% of GCSE
Speaking in Italian
It is internally assessed under controlled conditions and it takes place at the beginning of May. It is marked by the centre and moderated by Edexcel.
The assessment will draw on content from one of the themes. Students must demonstrate the ability to use the Italian language for different purposes and in different settings, which will be assessed by two speaking activities chosen from the following task types: an open interaction, a picture-based free-flowing discussion or a presentation with discussion following.
Each activity must last for 4-6 minutes.
60 marks, 30% of GCSE
Reading and understanding in Italian
It is externally assessed and takes place on the same day as the listening and understanding.
Timing: 50 minutes for higher tier
Total number of marks: 40
Writing in Italian
It is externally assessed and takes place at the beginning of May under controlled conditions.
Total number of marks: 60
Exams take place in May and June
[su_spoiler title=”Cristiana Bottigella
MA Cultural Policy (City University)”]
Italian at Ashbourne is taught by Cristiana Bottigella, a native Italian with a great passion for her country’s literature, art and culture. Cristiana uses original resources and students will be introduced to a wide variety of topics through a multimedia approach. There is plenty of room for discussion, listening, reading and writing practice. Students are encouraged to use Italian as much as possible from the beginning of the course, so as to develop their confidence and fluency.
As well as a course book, we use a wide variety of online and other resources to enable students to develop awareness and understanding of countries and communities where Italian is spoken.
The course lays a firm foundation for anyone wishing to take Italian, Languages or European Studies at A Level.
Amici, students’ book and work book
Collins Easy Learning Complete Italian Grammar, Verbs and Vocabulary