“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language.” Frank Smith
Subject Leader - Mr Dunnigan
School Leaders: Joshua, Louis, Layla, Autumn, Leila
What is it like to study Italian at St Robert’s First School?
At St Robert’s, we believe that learning a language provides an opening to other cultures and deepens pupils’ understanding of the world. Pupils should have an opportunity to contribute to the development of their general linguistic competence through the learning of another language. We recognise the importance of this as a life-long skill. Every pupil in Key Stage 2 has an entitlement to language learning.
How is Italian planned?
We believe that high-quality Italian planning will enable pupils to access our detailed, ambitious curriculum. Our Italian curriculum is planned thoroughly to ensure that a wide range of Italian topics are covered whilst also giving our pupils an opportunity to learn about Italy and its culture. We follow the Language Angels scheme of work, which is a progressive program of study that has been created by Modern Foreign Language specialists. It is progressive and differentiated, and enables pupils to access a broad variety of vocabulary and grammar aspects as they move through school.
How is Italian taught?
Our Italian curriculum is taught through games, songs, and tasks to ensure that the learning of languages at St. Robert's is interactive, enjoyable, and enthusiastic.
The Language Angels scheme includes bespoke planning which contains sound bites of spoken Italian to improve accuracy of pronunciation and develop fluency.
Our main aim throughout KS1, where the teaching of languages is non-statutory, is that pupils will develop an awareness of other languages and cultures.
As a school, we want pupils to develop an interest in language, as well as cultural capital through learning about other people and places.
KS1 pupils are exposed to Italian at an introductory level, learning vocabulary for the numbers to 10, colours, and Italian greetings during our international days of languages.
This allows pupils to gain a basic understanding of Italian as a language before progressing their knowledge further in KS2.
During Italian lessons, STEM lessons, and Geography lessons, our KS1 pupils deepen their understanding of the world around them.
In KS2 at St. Robert's, a wide range of topics are covered in the Italian curriculum to ensure a broad understanding of the language.
In Years 3 and 4, we aim to focus on basic vocabulary and an understanding of conversational Italian, which would be useful when traveling to other countries.
With this, a basic understanding of written Italian is introduced with children writing short phrases and sentences.
All children are exposed to learning Italian through speaking, listening, reading, and writing in their lessons. Languages in St. Robert's are first and foremost fun!
