General introduction to the subject:
Italy is one of Malta’s neighboring countries. There are many historical ties with Italy, but also touristic and economic ones. Italian, as a foreign language, offers opportunities in various fields, including but not limited to architecture, art and restoration, design, engineering, fashion, law, music, translation, tourism, and sports. There are many words and expressions in Italian that are similar to the Maltese language, and there are other Italian words that are used widely in many languages, especially vocabulary related to food and music. The program helps learners gain knowledge of Italian language and culture, which are key to the development of linguistic and intercultural competences.
Foreign languages are key to mobility and employability in today’s multilingual society. Learning a second foreign language improves a person’s multilingual skills and job prospects in the job market. In today’s global community, many prospective students consider the option of pursuing a degree or specializing in a particular sector of their desired career abroad.
Topics studied:
The program for Italian is based on the development of proficiency in the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. There are 12 generic topics that allow the learners to communicate with others on personal and social matters.
• Greetings
• Myself and Others
• Leisure, hobbies and interests
• Time and Calendar
• Places
• Environmental awareness
• Travel
• Food and drink
• Healthy lifestyle/living
• Use of Media and Technology
• Shops and Shopping• Work and job-related matters
The programme helps learners familiarize themselves with both language and culture to develop both language and intercultural skills and encourages them to work on level descriptors at levels A1, A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Class activities involved:
Activities are aimed at developing both receptive and productive skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Activities help learners to develop proficiency in all four skills. They furthermore foster the development of cultural and intercultural competences. Audio-visual, interactive and digital materials are used for these activities.
Homework assigned:
Learners are encouraged to gain knowledge about Italian and to use the language through work conducted during in- and out-of-class tasks. Tasks address both productive and receptive skills. Reading and listening tasks serve as input for further learning as well as for the development of these specific skills. Other tasks are aimed at the development of cultural and intercultural competences. Examples of tasks include: writing tasks, listening and reading comprehensions and project work
e.g. oral presentations, collaborative tasks that integrate the four skills/ that address specific skills, use of digital platforms, online and audiovisual activities.
Assessment given:
Equal assessment of the four skills in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing (A1 to B1 level) based on continuous summative and formative assessment tasks.
Tasks address areas that learners are working on to reach the level (formative assessment tasks, self-assessment tasks). Summative tasks determine levels attained (A1, A2 and bordering B1 level.)
Skills acquired while studying the subject:
• Receptive and productive skills; reading, listening, speaking and listening
• Cultural and intercultural skills
• Lifelong learning skills related to foreign language learning to help learners become independent
• Language learners
• Plurilingual language skills
• Skills related to the use of technology for language learning
Skills required to study the subject:
Learners will be guided to develop the four language skills in Italian, through use of different media. However, they must be
• able to work independently
• able to collaborate with others
• willing to learn about new cultures
• ready to communicate in a foreign language.
Language skills acquired while learning Italian at school will help the learner to develop the competences required in the four language skills
This subject can lead you to the following Career Paths:
Interpretor/Translator
Teacher
Tourist Information Agent
Diplomatic Service Officer
Cabin Crew
Tourist Guide
Front office and Guest Relations Manager
Linguist
Note: Knowledge of languages is an asset in the employment sector.
Further information can be accessed on http://italian.skola.edu.mt
Sample work/resources:
Useful websites:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/index.html?l=italian
https://wordwall.net/it-it/community/italiano