The study of a foreign language and culture develops according to
two different axes which are interrelated: the development of
linguistic and communicative competence and the development of
knowledge related to the culture of that specific language. The
aim of the whole Secondary School studies is the achievement of a
good command of a foreign language that corresponds at least to a
B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFR).
To achieve that objective, in the whole period of Secondary
School Studies, a student acquires the capability:
to understand oral and written texts concerning different kinds
of topics, both personal and connected to the social, literary
and artistic field;
to produce oral and written texts to report events, describe
situations and give personal opinions;
to interact and communicate in the foreign language according to
the context and the interlocutor;
to analyze the different aspects referred to the culture of the
countries in which the language is spoken, putting the focus on
topics which are common in different subjects.
The added value is the conscious use of effective communicative
strategies and the reflection on both the linguistic use and on
the cultural events related to the foreign language. This can be
achieved gradually thanks to the real use of a language to
understand oral and written contents of non-linguistic
disciplines better.
The educational path implies the constant use of the foreign
language. This will allow students to have the common experiences
both of linguistic communication and of comprehension of the
foreign language in an intercultural perspective.
The development of the awareness of cultural similarities and
differences is essential for students, together with the direct
contact with other cultures, even though in their own
country.
Virtual and face-to-face meetings, study holidays, but also
working experiences in Italy or abroad can be done during the
Secondary School.
SPECIFIC LEARNING AIMS
TWO-YEAR PERIOD AT SECONDARY SCHOOL
Language
In the field of the linguistic-communicative competence, a
student:
globally understands short oral and written texts on common,
personal and social topics;
produces oral and written texts to describe people and situation
in a simple way;
takes part in short conversations and interacts in simple
communicative acts on personal topics;
reflects on the linguistic system (phonology, morfology, syntax,
lexicon etc.) and on the linguistic functions (also comparing it
to the Italian language);
reflects on the learning strategies of the foreign language in
order to become independent in that language.
Culture
As far as the development of cultural knowledge in a foreign
language is concerned, students will be able to comprehend and
analyze aspects connected to the culture of the country in which
the foreign language is spoken, with particular focus on the
social field. They will also be able to examine oral, written and
iconographic texts on topics of personal and social interests but
also to make comparisons between their own culture and the
aspects related to the culture of the country in which that
language is spoken.