GCSE AND AS ITALIAN
A tantalising glimpse at a new language,
country and culture
Why choose Italian?
Studying GCSE and AS Level Italian gives you a tantalising insight into a new culture,
language and society. Woodhouse students have gone on to study the language (and
others) at university, as well as using it in careers as widely as Journalism, Politics and
Local Government.
Awarding body
Edexcel
GCSE units
• Unit 1: Listening, reading and writing
• Unit 2: Speaking
AS Level units
• Unit 3: Listening, reading and writing
• Unit 4: Speaking
Minimum
requirement for
entry onto the course
• G
CSE Italian, grade B, or a good background
in the language
A Level results
for 2013
GCSE: 100% A*–B
AS Level: 100% A*–E
GCSE
& AS
Italian
Your time studying GCSE and/or AS Level Italian will be challenging and varied. At Woodhouse, we like to
immerse you in the culture of the language, as well as teaching the mechanics. You will expand your knowledge
and understanding through a mixture of class teaching, individual and group study, debates, trips, visits, lectures
and discussions. We even offer work experience, in Italy, for AS Level students that want to really test their ability
and understanding.
What will you learn?
The fundamental objective of your two years on this course is to help you develop an in-depth knowledge of the
language and its application. At GCSE you will develop a vocabulary based on around 2000 words, and the ability
to speak about and understand information on a range of topics. At AS Level you will study a number of set topics,
including Media, Culture, Health and Relationships, and learn to understand and express yourselves using
increasingly complex vocabulary and structures, as well as comment on the use of language within specific areas
of society. You will read and discuss literature, in short extracts, as well as using the internet, newspapers and
magazines to research and support arguments.
Importantly, through expanding your linguistic abilities, you’ll learn communication skills, techniques for working
effectively in teams, including solving problems.
GCSE Italian is open to all students whether or not they have passed a GCSE in Languages before. Some students
progress on to the AS Level course in their second year.
The course is assessed at the end of each year through both written and spoken examinations. Each year 70% of your
exam will be listening, reading and writing and 30% speaking.
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