“A different language is a different vision of life.” Federico Fellini. 

The intention of the Italian curriculum at St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School is that children are taught to develop an interest in learning other languages in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. We encourage children’s confidence, we strive to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language. We want our pupils to be enthusiastic, engaged and challenged and to develop their ability to use and understand another language. With actively plan links to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries, we make every effort to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing necessary to enable children to use and apply their Italian learning in a variety of contexts and lay the foundations for future language learning. All pupils in the school study Italian and in their lessons, our pupils will gain systematic knowledge of key vocabulary and structures, grammar and phonics of the new language and a better understanding of how these are used by Italian speakers.  

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” Flora Lewis. 

Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics.  

At St Robert Southwell we have a very successful collaboration with the Education Department of the Italian General Consulate of Italy in London. They provide a fully qualified native-speaking Italian teacher to deliver high quality Italian lessons to the children from Reception to Year 6. 

Ms. Tiziana Sirignese teaches the Italian language through songs, games, and videos so that pupils learn to speak in an emotionally involving, fun, and playful environment. The children love learning Italian which, in turn, helps them with their own language by identifying roots to common words and recalling how language is taught. 

Children in Reception and Key Stage One enjoy exploring the Italian language and learning important basic skills in their lessons. Teaching fosters a love of languages through songs and games which continues into Key Stage Two, where the children develop their written and spoken skills in Italian. 

During Key Stage Two children have the opportunity to make focused and substantial progress in Italian, including being able to communicate ideas, facts and feelings in speech and writing. This learning provides an important foundation for their future language learning in Secondary education. Displays are used to remind children of key vocabulary. In the classroom whether possible instructions are given in Italian to expose children to the language as much as possible, visual prompts are used to support children in translating new vocabulary. Word mats are available for children to have out on desks to support their learning and recap previous learning.

Home Learning 

Here are some suggestions for ways you can help your child: 

• Take your child to a museum 

Italy has produced some of the most talented artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci (1265-1321) and Michelangelo (1475-1564). Check your local museum’s schedule to see when it is featuring an Italian-inspired exhibition and bring your child along. The admission for children is typically free. 

• Celebrate Italian holidays 

Celebrating important Italian holidays, such as Festa della Repubblica, Republic Day on the 2nd June, will teach your child about Italy’s History. Celebrate by making some fun crafts or taking part in holiday traditions.  

• Cook an Italian meal 

Familiarize your child with the so much loved Italian cuisine by having him or her help you whip up a traditional Italian meal. 

• Listen to Italian music. 

Download some Italian songs to listen to while at home or on the road. Listening to Italian music will help familiarize your child with Italian accents and pronunciations. 

• Puzzles 

You can download and print dozens of free Italian crosswords and word searches for your child. He or she will have fun playing, while simultaneously learning Italian vocabulary and simple sentences.  

• Memory game 

Create some Italian flashcards and place them face down on a table. Your child will flip over two cards. If the pictures match, your child will flip over two more cards. The point of the game is to match all of the cards from memory. 

• Read Italian books 

There are lots of beginner Italian books. You can find beginners books in almost any book shop or online. You can start with the well-known titles you’ll recognize and some classics for building your Italian cultural knowledge, such as Le Avventure di Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi; Am I small? Io sono piccola? by Philipp Winterberg, Nadja Wichmann; Diario di una Schiappa Diary of a Wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney; Peter Rabbit ed altre storie di Beatrix Potter. 

• Hangman 

Use Italian vocabulary words and phrases instead of English. 

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” Frank Smith 

Italian is monitored by the subject leader throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as book scrutinies, lesson observations, staff discussions and pupil’s voice.  The formative assessment data from ongoing observation of in-class activities such as role-plays, listening and reading comprehension and written exercises helps the Italian teacher monitor the pupils’ understanding, knowledge and skills and inform planning that is suitable for supporting and challenging the pupils at every stage of their progress. 

The department’s vision is to continually improve standards through an engaging and challenging curriculum which values the strengths of all and celebrates success. The teaching of Modern Foreign Languages is increasingly relevant in the global world in which we live and St Robert Southwell aims to provide useful and meaningful language education for its pupils.