Italian

Course summary

Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish are all offered at A Level and we regularly welcome dual linguists into the Department as well as those choosing to study one language. As the university and jobs markets become ever more competitive, being armed with the skill of a foreign language helps to really set you apart from the crowd. A language can literally take you anywhere and will be useful whether you want to be a lawyer, astronaut, businesswoman or engineer. Some of our pupils go on to read Modern Languages as a discipline at university but many also go on to study a language alongside another subject, such as Politics, Business or a variety of STEM subjects. A Level language courses aim to enable pupils: • To speak the language with a good level of fluency. • To understand native speakers and be able to manage in an environment solely in the target language. • To write accurately and idiomatically in the target language. • To take an interest in the culture and traditions of the countries where the language is spoken. • To develop an interest in the literature and cinema of the countries where the language is spoken. Where possible, those studying a language in the Sixth Form are encouraged to spend some time during their holidays in the country where the language is spoken (either through staying with a family, work experience, or language courses). The MFL Department is very keen to assist pupils with organising this and there will also likely be trips available for certain languages. To make real progress in a foreign language at A Level, it is important that pupils engage with the language outside of lesson time. All pupils will have a weekly speaking practice session with one of our fantastic native-speaker assistants. It will also be important to keep up with the news in the language, listen to music/watch shows in the language, and get involved with the department’s in-house activities (trips, talks, cultural events etc).