A-level Italian helps students develop confident, effective communication skills in Italian and a thorough understanding of the culture of countries and communities where Italian is spoken. It develops an interest in, and enthusiasm for, language learning and encourages students to consider their study of the language in a broader context. The course will prepare you to become a well-informed and effective communicator: - You will be required to use Italian as a language to present and organise facts, ideas, explanations, opinions and information in speech and in writing. - You will have to read a variety of texts, (articles, advertisements, letters and diaries) to gain knowledge and to form your own viewpoints. - You will listen to authentic materials such as interviews, news flash items and radio programmes. - You will have access to native speakers to practise your language skills on a regular basis. A Level Italian The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to: Enhance their linguistic skills and promote and develop their capacity for critical thinking on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the language, culture and society of the country or countries where the language is spoken Develop control of the language system to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills, including an extended range of vocabulary, for both practical and intellectual purposes as increasingly confident, accurate and independent users of the language Develop their ability to interact effectively with users of the language in speech and in writing, including through online media Develop language learning skills and strategies, including communication strategies to sustain communication and build fluency and confidence Engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films and other materials in the original language, developing an appreciation of sophisticated and creative uses of the language and understanding them within their cultural and social context Mediate between cultures and between speakers of the language and speakers of English Foster their ability to learn other languages Equip themselves with transferable skills such as autonomy, resourcefulness, creativity, critical thinking, and linguistic, cultural and cognitive flexibility that will enable them to proceed to further study or to employment Students study the following topic areas: - Changes in Italian society - Political and artistic culture in Italian-speaking countries - Immigration and Italian multicultural society - From fascism to nowadays Why choose this subject? - If you enjoy foreign travel and meeting new people - If you would like to have the edge over other people in your choice of career - If you like expressing your ideas and points of view on issues which interest you - If you want to boost both your job prospects and your salary by speaking more than one language - If you want to gain a greater understanding of other cultures - If this applies to you, then you should study A-Level Italian