Languages

The NSW Department of Education provides a comprehensive curriculum for the study of languages in public schools. The Languages K–10 syllabus supports the development of students’ abilities in communication, comprehension, and intercultural understanding. Schools are encouraged to offer opportunities for students to learn a language, and the Department supplies resources and professional support to assist teachers in delivering high-quality language programs. Language study can continue from primary through to secondary years, including options for advanced study in senior school.

Course description Stage 4 - Year 8

smiling year 8 students

Italian

In Year 8, students embark on their initial journey into Italian language and culture, engaging with foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course introduces essential vocabulary, basic grammar structures, and everyday conversational topics to build communicative confidence. Students explore Italian culture and traditions, developing intercultural understanding alongside language proficiency. Through interactive activities and practical contexts, learners build enthusiasm and motivation for ongoing language study, laying a strong groundwork for Stage 5 Italian.

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Course description Stage 5 - Year 9 and 10

Italian food

Italian (Elective)

Italian deepens students’ competence across the four language skills with a focus on expanding vocabulary, refining grammar, and enhancing communication in familiar and increasingly complex contexts. The curriculum broadens cultural knowledge, encouraging students to investigate Italian-speaking communities locally and globally, and to appreciate diverse cultural practices, perspectives, and products. Learners engage in varied tasks such as conversations, presentations, and written responses that promote creative and critical thinking in Italian. This elective builds linguistic confidence and prepares students for Stage 6 study, fostering lifelong language learning and intercultural engagement.

Course description Stage 6 - Year 11 and 12

Italian Beginners

The Italian Beginners course is tailored for students commencing formal Italian study at Stage 6 with little or no prior knowledge. It cultivates foundational proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through structured and scaffolded learning experiences. Emphasis is placed on mastering essential language functions and grammar within thematic contexts relevant to personal interests and everyday life. Students explore Italian culture, lifestyles, and traditions, developing intercultural understanding. This course equips learners with the skills to communicate effectively and lays a strong foundation for further language acquisition and tertiary studies.

Italian Continuers

Designed for students with prior Italian experience, the Italian Continuers course enhances linguistic accuracy, fluency, and complexity across all modes of communication. Emphasising sophisticated vocabulary and grammatical structures, students engage with a variety of texts, media, and cultural topics that deepen their understanding of contemporary Italy and Italian-speaking communities worldwide. Critical analysis, creative expression, and intercultural competence are integral to the learning process, preparing students for the HSC and promoting pathways to tertiary study, global citizenship, and career opportunities in international contexts.

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