Italian

You will continue with the language you were allocated in Year 7. Those who have chosen Italian for Year 9 can continue it to GCSE as a second modern language.

Course Overview

2020-21 CHS Year 9 Options Evening - ML

Please click above to view slideshow with course outline

Exam Specifications

All pupils will continue the language they began in Year 7 as their first modern language:

Those who have begun Italian can continue it to GCSE as their second Modern Language:

What do our pupils say?

What skills have I learnt from studying languages?

What are my top tips for success in languages?

I am more confident when speaking and presenting in Spanish, Italian and English.

Revisit vocabulary regularly and try to use it in your your language as soon as you can.

I have realised that there are various methods of communication and so many ways to subtly change the meaning of a message.

Speak in the language as much as you can, even if it's to yourself in the mirror.

I am now more attuned to other cultures and other ways of looking at the world.

Find ways to use language for real purposes ... form an elink with a young person at one of our partner schools, participate in one of our trips, communicate in the language as much as you can with other speakers of the language in our CHS community.

I am more aware of how my first language (English) works now through the comparisons I make.

If you have interests (sport, music, etc.), follow them in a country where your language is spoken. For example, choose a team to follow!

FAQs:

What things might not I know about the Modern Languages Department?

In recognition of our strong national reputation, we are the base for the Manchester SCITT hub which is part of the National Modern Languages SCITT.
We benefit from active membership of both The Independent Schools Modern Languages Association and The Association for Language Learning.

What extra support can I receive?

Extra support is available in each language, both for stretch and consolidation.

The native-speaker foreign language assistant is also assigned to one period per cycle for students to develop confidence with speaking.

Is there any coursework?

There is no coursework component. However, we encourage you to take other certificates and to participate in various competitions.

What's the next step beyond GCSE?

We offer each of French, German and Spanish at A Level. Many students also follow other opportunities to begin Italian alongside their main language in the Sixth Form as part of our Modern Languages Pathway.

Students can also take further qualifications in Spanish, French and German through MOOCs and specific courses offered by Instituto Cervantes, Alliance Francais and Goethe-Institut respectively, which each have a presence in Manchester.

Many of our students include a language (continued from A Level, GCSE or ab initio) as part of their degree programme and use this to enhance career prospects and often to enable them to spend a year abroad as part of their degree programme.

What are the co-curricular options to support this subject?

For each language there is the opportunity to visit the country during in Year 10 or 11. These trips include residential visits and exchange programmes.

As well as international trips, students can also ...

join the editorial team for our very own languages magazine, The Cultured Linguist.
complete other qualifications and competitions such The Real Lives Exam, Linguistics Olympiad, Stephen Spender Trust Competition, Mother Tongue, Other Tongue Competition and ISMLA Creative Writing Competition.
become a Languages Mentor for younger learners
attend Language Matters talks (our series of talks with guest speakers on all things "Languages and Culture"

Career Corner

Knowledge of other languages enhances all chosen career paths and will only serve to open doors.

Next Steps

The Modern Languages Team

Mr Oliver Abbott (Head of French)
Miss Jemma Becker (Head of Spanish)
Mrs Debra Chapman
Mrs Bernadette Girolami (Italian Lead and Head of Year 9)
Mrs Clare Haffner
Miss Emma Hayward (Head of German)
Mrs Raquel Lago-Costa
Mrs Kirsty Lowe
Miss Carmen Martínez Elvira
Mrs Nicole Meredith
Mrs Judith Shand
Mr Matthew Whoriskey
Mr John Wilson (Head of Modern Languages)