Peter Symonds College

Study at PSC

Course Content

The first year of the A level course will move you on from GCSE covering all four skills. Teaching is based on a thematic approach and the language is taught through a variety of contemporary issues. The study of an Italian film will be a focus in year one.

The second year will enable you to develop your linguistic skills further, whilst continuing to enhance your knowledge of the Italian language, the country and its culture. The study of an Italian film and a book will be integral to the course.

Methods of Teaching

The department employs a great variety of teaching methods. Italian is used as the main medium of instruction in the classroom and many different tasks are used in order to achieve each student’s maximum potential.

Students will have to engage in discussions and will be able to improve their reading comprehension skills and develop their ability to implement advanced grammatical structures both in their writing and speaking. Topic booklets / worksheets will also be issued to the students on the themes mentioned above and most tasks will be completed in pairs, small groups, individually or through whole-class teaching. In addition, students will have access to an Italian assistant for up to 20 minutes per week to consolidate and improve on what they have learned in class. Students will also have one time-tabled lesson per week in the language centre to practise their listening and research skills.

Methods & Patterns of Assessment

Most methods of assessment will be related to the structure and demands of the syllabus.

Students will be assessed on their understanding of spoken and written Italian from a variety of types of authentic texts and listening material, as well as their ability to translate accurately into and from Italian.

Texts and recordings will vary in length to include some extended passages. All spoken and written materials will be culturally relevant to Italy.

Where Could It Take Me?

Italian, and indeed languages in general, can be studied with nearly any subject at university level. Many modern languages and Italian graduates have pursued careers in law, accountancy, banking & finance, journalism, marketing and public relations, the Civil Service, translation and interpreting as well as teaching. Those with language skills are a relative rarity in the UK; therefore employment prospects are extremely high.

Financial Implications

Students will have access to textbooks and online resources but will need to purchase a novel at the end of the first year. Students will also have the opportunity to take part on a study trip to Italy.

The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Mathematics and English and grade 6 or above in Italian GCSE.  Students with a grade 6 in Italian GCSE will be supported in their first term by an extra grammar support session.

Most Recent Results

Below is a summary of the most recent set of results for this subject:

Grade: A* A B C D E U Total
Total: 6 7 0 0 0 1 0 14
Percentage 42.9 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.1 0.0