Italy is synonymous with beauty, art and a passionate love of life.  These are very much part of our Italian course at the College. Students are fully immersed in the Italian language and culture each lesson. Not only do students learn within the classroom, but there are many opportunities offered to students through exchange programmes, study tour of Italy, film and restaurant excursions. With an emphasis on communication, the Italian course encourages students to put their language skills into practice as much as possible.

Year 8 Italian
Year 8 students quickly realise that the Italian language and culture are already a feature of their everyday lives.  Simple words such as ciao, al fresco and allegra as well as pizza and pasta are considered part of our “Australian” vernacular. Within a few short weeks, students can introduce themselves and talk a little bit about their lives, including where they live, their age and birthdays. The course continues to strengthen their skills in the language encouraging students to strengthen both their writing and speaking skills.

By the end of the year, students will be able to discuss such topics as Family, My Home, Hobbies and Health.

Year 9 Italian
Student in Year 9 become more confident learners, always striving to write and say more in Italian than before. There is also the opportunity to develop a grammatical understanding of the language and feel comfortable in using new language. Accompanying their study of the language, celebrating Italian culture is also a feature of the programme where students develop their use of language through research into festivals and Ancient Rome.

During Year 9, students will expand their vocabulary to discuss topics such as The City, Shopping and Clothing, Sport and Travel.

Year 10 Italian
Year 10 students display a focussed approach to their language learning and develop more strongly their listening and speaking skills throughout the course. They are beginning to fine tune their language learning skills and develop their personal vocabulary further. This year puts students in excellent stead for upper school Italian as there is an emphasis on grammatical constructions and broadening the topics that they are confident in discussing.

By the end of the year, students are beginning to use practical skills used in everyday life in Italy, such as dining out, taking public transport and going to school.

Year 11 Italian
The students of Year 11 consistently display a mature and focussed approach to their language learning as they continue to strengthen their skills and are able to communicate appropriately with native Italian speakers. The skills that they have learnt during Lower School are refined and developed so that they begin to show sophistication in their written and spoken expression. The two year commitment that students display when selecting Italian in Year 11 demonstrates a positive and mature approach to their language studies.

Year 12 Italian
During the year, students learn to apply more complex grammar structures to their writing in order to become a ‘true’ Italian. The complexity of language and inclusion of colloquial terms and phrases allows a Year 12 student to excel at a high level in examinations as well as converse with native speakers, a life- long skill students are extremely to have. By the end of the year, students are confident in discussing a variety of topics and are able to demonstrate an individual style in their expression of ideas.