There are plenty of reasons why you should consider taking up Italian for A Level. If you enjoy music or art, it is certainly a good idea to learn the Italian language thoroughly and appreciate its literature as well. Italian is helpful if you are pursuing a career in fashion, tourism or in the business world, as there are possible openings both in UK and Italy, where fluency in Italian is required. During the two year course, you will have the opportunity to follow up or focus on a particular interest of your own related to Italy. You will choose the topic of your research related to your oral examination.
You should also, if possible, spend a period of time in Italy, on your own, attending a course in Bango di Romagna, Ravenna or Florence; an invaluable experience usually enjoyed by girls of your age. It is essential that you become fluent in both written and oral expression. To improve your understanding you will have access to daily papers and magazines such as Il Corriere della sera, La Repubblica and available through the Library or MyQG.
Italian A Level is now fully linear, with girls sitting their exams at the end of the two year course. AS students can go on to take the A Level in Year 2, but the AS qualification will not count towards the A Level. Specification content is now based around social, political and cultural themes, relating to the Italian language, culture and communities. This will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the culture related to their language of study, and ensure smooth progression to further study. The themes and assessment model are also designed to promote the development of transferable skills. As well as the grammar you will study the following themes and topics: Theme 1 - Social Issues and trends: Changes in Italian society/Family - changes in attitudes towards marriage and couples; family life. Education - the school system and issues facing students. The world of work - equality; unemployment; family businesses; new working patterns. Theme 2 - Political and/or intellectual and/or artistic culture: Political and artistic culture in the Italian-speaking world Music - changes and developments; impact on popular culture. Media- freedom of expression; printed and online press; impact on society and politics. Cultural heritage - festivals; customs; traditions. Theme 3 - Social Issues and trends: Evolving Italian society The positive impact of immigration - contributions of immigrants to the economy and culture. Facing the challenges of migration - marginalisation and alienation; integration; the impact of emigration. North/ South Divide - travel between the North and South; the role of Italian industry; sociocultural differences; crime. Theme 4 - Political and/or intellectual and/or artistic culture: Fascism and beyond The rise of Mussolini - the birth of the Fascist Party. Fascism in World War Two- the government of Mussolini and dictatorship; life under Mussolini during the war. From dictatorship to democracy - the fall of Mussolini; the liberation; the six nations. Novel and film You will also study a book of contemporary literature: "Io Non Ho Paura"; and a film: "I Cento Passi". On this you will carry out two essays; see Paper 2: Written response to works and translation. Examination Format: At the end of the two year course you will take the following three examinations: Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation: 2 hours 40% of the qualification. Section A is a Listening assessment based on a recording, featuring male and female Italian speakers, covering Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students will respond to comprehension questions in the target language, based on a variety of contexts and sources. Question formats require multiple-choice and open responses. Responses in the target language are required, but students will not be marked on their quality of language. They will also be required to produce a short summary in Italian. Questions do not require students to respond in full sentences. They can respond using single words of phrases. This section is worth 30 marks. Students will have control of the listening player. Section B is a reading assessment based on variety of text-types and genres, including historical and literary texts. Question formats require both multiple-choice and open response. Questions are set in Italian and responses in Italian are required, though students will not be marked on their quality of language. Section B is worth 30 marks. Section C is a translation into English. This will be an unseen passage and is worth 20 marks. Students are not permitted access to a dictionary during the examination. Paper 2: Written response to works and translation : 2 hours and 40 minutes 30% of the qualification. Section A is a translation into Italian and is worth 20 marks. The content of the passage is related to any of the four themes. Sections B and C comprise a written response to works. The works may comprise one book and one film, or two books. There are two questions for each work and students choose one for each of their chosen works. Paper 3: Speaking The speaking assessment is conducted internally and it is worth 30% of the qualification. Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes, which includes 5 minutes' formal preparation time. Task 1 requires students to choose one theme from a choice of two (these can be any of the four themes). They will then discuss one of the two statements on their chosen stimulus. Task 1 is worth 30 marks. Task 2 is the Independent Research Presentation and requires students to give a short summary of their chosen topic, followed by a discussion with the examiner on their research.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Kensington and Chelsea |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £25,326 |
| Address | 133 Queen's Gate, Kensington, London, SW7 5LE |
There are plenty of reasons why you should consider taking up Italian for A Level. If you enjoy music or art, it is certainly a good idea to learn the Italian language thoroughly and appreciate its literature as well. Italian is helpful if you are pursuing a career in fashion, tourism or in the business world, as there are possible openings both in UK and Italy, where fluency in Italian is required. During the two year course, you will have the opportunity to follow up or focus on a particular interest of your own related to Italy. You will choose the topic of your research related to your oral examination.
You should also, if possible, spend a period of time in Italy, on your own, attending a course in Bango di Romagna, Ravenna or Florence; an invaluable experience usually enjoyed by girls of your age. It is essential that you become fluent in both written and oral expression. To improve your understanding you will have access to daily papers and magazines such as Il Corriere della sera, La Repubblica and available through the Library or MyQG.
Italian A Level is now fully linear, with girls sitting their exams at the end of the two year course. AS students can go on to take the A Level in Year 2, but the AS qualification will not count towards the A Level. Specification content is now based around social, political and cultural themes, relating to the Italian language, culture and communities. This will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the culture related to their language of study, and ensure smooth progression to further study. The themes and assessment model are also designed to promote the development of transferable skills. As well as the grammar you will study the following themes and topics: Theme 1 - Social Issues and trends: Changes in Italian society/Family - changes in attitudes towards marriage and couples; family life. Education - the school system and issues facing students. The world of work - equality; unemployment; family businesses; new working patterns. Theme 2 - Political and/or intellectual and/or artistic culture: Political and artistic culture in the Italian-speaking world Music - changes and developments; impact on popular culture. Media- freedom of expression; printed and online press; impact on society and politics. Cultural heritage - festivals; customs; traditions. Theme 3 - Social Issues and trends: Evolving Italian society The positive impact of immigration - contributions of immigrants to the economy and culture. Facing the challenges of migration - marginalisation and alienation; integration; the impact of emigration. North/ South Divide - travel between the North and South; the role of Italian industry; sociocultural differences; crime. Theme 4 - Political and/or intellectual and/or artistic culture: Fascism and beyond The rise of Mussolini - the birth of the Fascist Party. Fascism in World War Two- the government of Mussolini and dictatorship; life under Mussolini during the war. From dictatorship to democracy - the fall of Mussolini; the liberation; the six nations. Novel and film You will also study a book of contemporary literature: "Io Non Ho Paura"; and a film: "I Cento Passi". On this you will carry out two essays; see Paper 2: Written response to works and translation. Examination Format: At the end of the two year course you will take the following three examinations: Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation: 2 hours 40% of the qualification. Section A is a Listening assessment based on a recording, featuring male and female Italian speakers, covering Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students will respond to comprehension questions in the target language, based on a variety of contexts and sources. Question formats require multiple-choice and open responses. Responses in the target language are required, but students will not be marked on their quality of language. They will also be required to produce a short summary in Italian. Questions do not require students to respond in full sentences. They can respond using single words of phrases. This section is worth 30 marks. Students will have control of the listening player. Section B is a reading assessment based on variety of text-types and genres, including historical and literary texts. Question formats require both multiple-choice and open response. Questions are set in Italian and responses in Italian are required, though students will not be marked on their quality of language. Section B is worth 30 marks. Section C is a translation into English. This will be an unseen passage and is worth 20 marks. Students are not permitted access to a dictionary during the examination. Paper 2: Written response to works and translation : 2 hours and 40 minutes 30% of the qualification. Section A is a translation into Italian and is worth 20 marks. The content of the passage is related to any of the four themes. Sections B and C comprise a written response to works. The works may comprise one book and one film, or two books. There are two questions for each work and students choose one for each of their chosen works. Paper 3: Speaking The speaking assessment is conducted internally and it is worth 30% of the qualification. Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes, which includes 5 minutes' formal preparation time. Task 1 requires students to choose one theme from a choice of two (these can be any of the four themes). They will then discuss one of the two statements on their chosen stimulus. Task 1 is worth 30 marks. Task 2 is the Independent Research Presentation and requires students to give a short summary of their chosen topic, followed by a discussion with the examiner on their research.
