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Advice for teachers -
Italian

Teaching and learning activities

Unit 4

Unit 4 – Area of Study 1: Interpersonal communication

Theme: The individual
Theme: The world around us
Topic: The influence of science and technology
Sub topic: Scientific and technological issues - manufacturing

Outcome 1

Share information, ideas and opinions in a spoken exchange in Italian.

Examples of learning activities

  • Watch a documentary about manufacturing in Italy. List all major centres of manufacturing, what is produced and any other significant characteristics mentioned. Note whether it is predominantly artisan or large-scale.
  • Research statistics about a specific manufacturing industry on its economic contribution to Italy and to its towns/regions as well as identifying any negative aspects or downside to this industry.
  • Listen to a discussion about a manufacturing company in Italy. Note key information about it in terms of size of operation, number of employees and how the manufacturing is carried out. Prepare a poster about the company to highlight its major features.
  • Research the state of manufacturing in Australia in comparison to the state of manufacturing in Italy. Discuss findings as a class.
  • Watch videos about artisan, small-scale production in Italy and answer comprehension questions.
  • Debate, in small groups, the topic ‘Is manufacturing vital to Italy’s economic development?’ Use information gleaned about manufacturing in general and examples from the individual company studied.
  • Write a 250-word evaluative report on the debate topic for an economics magazine.
  • Present the report as a PowerPoint and a three-minute speech.
  • Read an article on manufacturing in Italy and answer comprehension questions on it.
  • Listen to a news item about a company and answer comprehension questions on it. Synthesise answers to produce a 100-word summary of the article and news item.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Write the script of a role -play in which you persuade one of your friends to purchase artisanal produce from Italy rather than items produced on a large-scale by a multinational company. 
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

A role-play in which you persuade a friend to purchase artisanal produce from Italy

  1. Conduct research into products from Italy that are available in Victoria, or that you would like to see available in Victoria. List them on a class poster.
  2. From the list, individually or in pairs, choose an artisanal product. Read and listen to at least three different pieces of information about it.
  3. Write notes about the product. This might include: the company that manufactures the product, where it is situated in Italy, how many of the products are sold or used here, plus any other significant information.
  4. Read two examples of persuasive writing from Italy. Analyse the writing for specific vocabulary and/or grammar features used.
  5. Draft a script that incorporates all of the above to make your role -play appropriate for the task.
  6. Include in the script your information about the product, the company and its potential market in Victoria.

Unit 4 – Area of Study 2: Interpretative communication

Theme: The individual
Topic: Education and aspirations
Sub topic: Working in Italy

Outcome 2

Analyse information from written, spoken and viewed texts for use in a written response in Italian.

Examples of learning activities

  • Research the world of work in Italy and find out what professions are highly sought after and highly regarded. As a class collaborate to develop a glossary on the topic.
  • Compare the Italian world of work to the one in Victoria and draw conclusions.
  • Read an article about work in Italy. Compare the class glossary to the vocabulary in the article. Identify any particular words or expressions not already in the glossary.
  • Watch a documentary or video about dynamics at work. Use this as a prompt to justify what criteria you would use in the future to guide you in choosing what job is suitable for you.
  • View a series of captioned illustrations of the world of work in Italy and analyse them.
  • As a class, discuss essential values that the ideal workplace should have and use the different opinions in the classroom to start a debate.
  • Imagine that you have completed your tertiary studies already and you are looking for employment in Italy. Visit websites where Italian job advertisements can be found and select the job of your dreams.
  • Select an advertisement, read the criteria and visit the website of the company that is looking for an employee.
  • Watch a video about that specific workplace and write a summary of their services, productions, management style and values.
  • Write a 250-word letter of application in which you address the key selection criteria in the advertisement and explain to the employer why you are the ideal candidate for that position.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Read several blog posts written by employers in Italy, view a series of illustrations of the world of work, listen to an interview with a job seeker and respond to a series of questions or instructions on this topic.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Responses to a series of questions or instructions on the world of work in Italy

  1. Read several blog posts written by employers in Italy. Make notes on the industry, job type and the skills required for each position.
  2. Create a glossary of key vocabulary and grammar that is relevant to this topic.
  3. Listen to podcasts and watch a video about the world of work in Italy. Add to the glossary while listening and viewing and prepare a set of notes summarising the working environment and the kinds of jobs featured in the video.
  4. Listen to an interview with a job seeker.
  5. Read two or three blogs written by job seekers.
  6. Respond to a set of questions or instructions on the topic.

Unit 4 – Area of Study 3: Presentational communication

Theme: The Italian-speaking communities
Topic: Living in an Italian community
Sub topic: Contributions of Italians in Australia

Outcome 3

Present information, concepts and ideas in evaluative or persuasive writing on an issue in Italian.

Examples of learning activities

  • Conduct research about Italian immigration to Australia in the past 70 years. Visit websites and read books related to the topic. Consider the questions: Where exactly do Italian migrants come from? Where did they live in Italy? What were their life conditions before arriving in Australia? How did they arrive? Why did they come? What do they miss about their homeland?
  • Participate in a class discussion about general features of the migrant experience.
  • Visit the Immigration Museum in Melbourne to view and research relevant materials.
  • Write a 200-word blog post about reactions to information gathered about migration.
  • View a film about migration. Identify similarities and differences between the experiences of different people portrayed in the film. Discuss these aspects with a partner and create a poster for the class to read.
  • Research what Italian products are currently sold in Australia and classify them into categories.
  • Interview an Italian migrant who lives in Australia and ask them how they believe Italian migrants have contributed to Australian society.
  • Write an informative report in which you explain how Italian migrants have  contributed to Australian society.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Write a diary entry documenting the experiences  of a migrant who came to Australia from Italy. Draw on the information gained through viewing, listening and reading. Read your diary entry to the class.
  • You are a speaker at a multicultural event in Italy. Write a 300-word persuasive speech in which you persuade the audience that Italian migrants had an important influence on Australian society and that they contributed greatly to it.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

A diary entry documenting the experiences of a migrant who came to Australia from Italy

  1. Read, view and listen to texts about the experiences of Italian migrants in Australia.
  2. List vocabulary related to this topic from all material studied so far.
  3. Practise useful expressions and grammar in Italian.
  4. Become familiar with the features of personal writing and diary entries. Write a draft of a diary entry which describes the experiences of an Italian migrant who came to Australia. Share this with a classmate. Provide each other with feedback on the content, vocabulary and grammar.
  5. Refine relevant aspects including grammar and expressions.
  6. Read your revised diary entry to the class.