Italian

subject overview

Teaching and learning in Spanish and Italian focuses on language acquisition through developing a range of language learning strategies. The emphasis is on encouraging learners to learn, practise and apply key language and structures for a range of tasks and contexts. Languages is traditionally split into four skill areas (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and work centres on developing mastery in each skill area. Lesson activities are varied and may include exploiting a literary text for comprehension, extracting key details from listening texts, engaging in role-play or practising translation. Throughout their learning learners are strongly encouraged to make links with other languages that they know and to share this information with the class. All languages are celebrated and valued within the culture of Language Learning at Harrow High School

unit overview - autumn term 1

Subject: Italian
Skills	Communicating in the target language Grammar and how to apply it Memorising Listen for detail/gist Adapt language for different contexts Develop accurate spelling ,pronunciation and intonation Initiate and develop conversations Recognising sound patterns in Italian Making connections between languages
Knowledge	Theme: Introduzione Intro + word patterns Saluti - greetings I numeri Il compleanno e le stagioni Che data è? Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar Key Introductory language Numbers 1-31 Definite article, singular and plural Saying and understanding dates Learning about the Italian world
Rationale	This unit presents key foundational knowledge that is used regularly in study of later topics. Learners will be able to develop independent language learning skills which will prepare them for study in future units. This unit represents an opportunity for establishing the home languages of Learners and those learnt in Middle School, thereby enabling Learners to compare and contrast languages and draw on prior knowledge. It thus acknowledges and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and languages of our Learners and validates their language learning experiences to date. It also allows the group to share relevant personal information and thereby form a cohesive group identity based on mutual respect.

unit overview - autumn term 2

Subject: Italian
Skills	Grammar and how to apply it Using the TL creatively and imaginatively Using reference materials to support learning such as a dictionary, glossary, verb table Communicating in the target language Developing confidence by working independently Learning to transfer knowledge across all skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking Developing a range of vocabulary leaning strategies using Knowledge Organisers Making connections between languages Memorising
Knowledge	Theme: Presentazioni A scuola plural & singular + countries Presentazioni Come si scrive? Phone numbers Carta d’identità Key question/opinion words Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar Describing school equipment Singular and plural endings Gender agreement Basic greeting phrases Asking a question Italian pronunciation and letter combination Identifying key information about identity
Rationale	In this second unit Learners will actively use everyday words, basic questions and sound patterns in a context with which they are already familiar. This will increase levels of confidence in a new subject. They will also develop confidence in identifying key information when listening to fast Italian language. This unit enables Learners to develop listening strategies and emphasises the use of logic to help work out new language. This is a vital cross curricular skill which also develops thinking skills. Such strategies will be further developed in future units in which Learners meet increasingly complicated extracts on a wider range of themes. This unit is an ideal opportunity to encourage research, note taking and presentation skills around the topic of famous Italian speaking people and their identity. These are important cross curricular and life skills. This is also an opportunity for the Teacher to discuss with Learners how ‘question structures’ can be manipulated. There is also the opportunity to introduce Learners to Apps that are useful such as Duolingua for extra curricular work.

unit overview - spring term 1

Subject: Italian
Skills	Express opinions Use knowledge of English Compare cultures Listen for gist, detail Scan texts Use and manipulate key structures and patterns as appropriate Organising notes to help learning
Knowledge	Theme: In famiglia In famiglia I capelli e gli occhi I capelli e gli occhi + 3rd person Basso/alto/ magro/grasso/snello + 3rd person Simpatico/ timido/divertente + opinion Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar Possessive adjectives Personality + appearance adjectives Word order and structure of sentences Extending descriptions with connectives and opinions
Rationale	This unit enables Learners to develop appreciation of other cultures and awareness of life styles in Italy and how different families live This is a social and life skill as it promotes empathy and social awareness both of which are vital in developing citizens who can play an active positive part in today’s society. Cross curricular links will be further strengthened with English. .Learners will demonstrate being able to use a wider range of adjectives and higher level structures with which to give opinions and describe other people accurately Learners will develop reading skills through scanning and analysis of text . Vital memorisation skills will be practised as Learners commit language to memory. These skills will be of clear benefit in other areas. Learners will become aware of how all the skills support each other and that knowledge and skills are transferrable across topics and skills.

unit overview - spring term 2

Subject: Italian
Skills	Express opinions Use knowledge of English How to extend sentences with a variety of connectives Giving opinions with justified answers Use and manipulate key structures and patterns as appropriate Organising notes to help learning
Knowledge	Theme: Nel mio tempo libero GCSE Extended writing practice How to describe a photo How to respond to 4 bullet points Translating short sentences. Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar Key infinitives giocare/ fare/ andare Opinion + infinitive structure Adjectival agreement Singular / plural endings
Rationale	This unit offers Learners the opportunity to develop confidence in writing extended texts in Italian and to build on reading and writing skills from previous units. Learners will practise how to deconstruct an extended reading text for understanding and how to use context and logic to help work out new language. This unit is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate what a GCSE style writing activity looks like. This will be of importance as a reference point in future writing tasks.

unit overview - summer term 1

Subject: Italian
Skills	Verb conjugation Express opinions Use knowledge of English Compare cultures Listen for gist, detail Scan texts Use and manipulate key structures and patterns as appropriate Organising notes to help learning
Knowledge	Theme: Cosa ti piace fare? Cosa ti piace fare? Lo sport Passatempi preferiti Altri passatempi Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar Negatives The definite article Prepositions and articles Present tense Mi piace / piacciono
Rationale	Through this fifth unit Learners are able to practise repair strategies particularly when speaking. This is vital in promoting fluency and communication of key messages. These strategies are fundamental to communication and will transfer to all future units, and form a key component of oral work. Through the set tasks, Learners will learn the importance of using synonyms and paraphrasing in order to get across their message. These are vital communication strategies for future units. The Learners will also be able to respond effectively to written language including more complex and extended texts, identifying opinions and inferring meaning. They will develop thinking skills in working through how to reach a judgement using implied reading cues. This is vital preparation for Higher Level work and will recur more frequently in future units. Learners will enhance their general knowledge of the wider world through the study of various sports practised in northern and southern Italy

Unit overview - summer term 2

Subject: Italian
Skills	Express opinions Use knowledge of English Compare cultures Listen for gist, detail Scan texts Use and manipulate key structures and patterns as appropriate Organising notes to help learning
Knowledge	Theme: Amici Gli animali domestici Amici, teniamoci in forma! Andare in centro sportivo Cosa vorresti provare per la prima volta? Key Language, vocabulary and Grammar New adjectives to describe animals Present tense Article inclusion Mai/ Sempre/A volte Debating language; Comunque / Si può vedere che
Rationale	Through this sixth unit Learners are able to practise reading and responding to a literary text. This forms a key part of the GCSE reading exam and requires a different approach to decoding the text. The inclusion of such texts will allow Learners to practise breaking down compound and unfamiliar words into parts that they can recognise in order to deduce a possible meaning. This is a cross-curricular skill that will be applicable in other subjects and languages . The oral tasks in this unit will provide Learners with the practice needed to develop fuller and more developed answers. The tasks will also develop the fluency, accuracy, intonation and pronunciation and range of vocabulary needed to access higher marks in this and future units. Learners will be trained to conduct Oral peer assessments in order to fully understand the marking criteria and to apply this knowledge in future units. Learners will extend their knowledge of the wider world by studying the Italian diet and what is considered a normal meal. They will be able to offer personal viewpoints and experiences drawing on their backgrounds.

knowledge OrganiserS

A knowledge organiser is an important document that lists the important facts that learners should know by the end of a unit of work. It is important that learners can recall these facts easily, so that when they are answering challenging questions in their assessments and GCSE and A-Level exams, they are not wasting precious time in exams focusing on remembering simple facts, but making complex arguments, and calculations.

We encourage all pupils to use them by doing the following:

Quiz themselves at home, using the read, write, cover, check method.
Practise spelling key vocabulary
Further researching people, events and processes most relevant to the unit.