Languages
February 3, 2022 2023-03-08 13:39Languages
The curriculum of the Languages ‘Liceo’ (upper secondary school) features the study of three community languages – English, French and Spanish (the third language may be German instead) starting from the first year.
These are complemented, in a balanced manner, by the study of subjects taken from the historical, philosophical, mathematical and scientific sectors.
Two non-linguistic subjects are also taught in a foreign language during the five years of the curriculum. The students are taught the most important cultural aspects of the countries whose language they are learning, by exploring their literature, art and history.
Language enhancement is implemented through the activation of CLIL modules of one subject in the third year and of two in the fourth. This methodology consists in teaching a non-linguistic subject using a foreign language. At the end of the five years of Liceo, the students will have acquired such skills as to be able to communicate in the three European languages in many different social and professional contexts.
At the end of the curriculum, the training acquired will allow them access to universities and to the Integrated Higher Education system.
Activities and Projects
During the program, in the third-year students are expected to participate in a language internship (stage) in France that will supplement the traditional linguistic and cultural education with a School-Work Alternation project.
Students are given the chance to attend a preparation course for DELF certification (starting from level B1).1). During school hours, teachers are supported by native-speaker assistants in all of the languages taught, so as to facilitate the achievement of European framework certifications.
The curriculum includes the organization of exchanges and internships abroad. These are all opportunities for improving language skills and furthering personal growth by meeting with citizens of other nations.
Humanities
Participation in the “Narrativa Giovane” (young fiction writers) contest
The purpose of the “Narrativa Giovane” contest, sponsored by the Fondazione Spadolini foundation together with the Regional School Directorate, the City of Florence and the Fondazione ChiantiBanca foundation that is funding the project, is to promote the circulation of the ‘Nuova Antologia’ magazine among young secondary school students.
The project involves fourth year Liceo students of several upper secondary schools in Florence and in Tuscany in general, freely selected by the teachers.
Participating students and teachers receive a one-year subscription to the “Nuova Antologia” magazine, ten for each school. The contents of the articles can therefore be read individually or collectively discussed in class.
The contest rules require students to individually write a short fiction story (3-4 pages of the “Nuova Antologia” magazine – maximum 11,000 characters spaces included) that talks about contemporary society issues (non-fiction is not allowed).
The juries on the prize awarding panel are:
- Cosimo Ceccuti, president of Fondazione Spadolini Nuova Antologia,
- Milva Segato, member of the regional school directorate,
- Cristina Giachi, Deputy Mayor and alderman for Education of the City of Florence,
- Stefano Mecocci, president of Fondazione ChiantiBanca,
- Francesco Carrassi, director of La Nazione,
- Rodolfo Cigliana and Paola Maresca representing Italian Schools,
- Paola Lucarini, poet,
- Roberto Marcori, editor
- Caterina Ceccuti, journalist, award secretary.
- The winner will receive the publication of his/her article while all of the student authors of the articles selected will receive a certification of participation.
Theatrical performances
The following link provides all of the information regarding the viewing of the performances:
http://www.indafondazione.org/it/
Participation in the ‘Certamina di Latino e Greco’ (Greek and Latin Contest)
Participation in the ‘Concorso Talenti per il Futuro’ (‘Future Talents’ Contest)
The following link provides all of the information regarding the participation in the Concorso Talenti per il Futuro contest: http://www.dialogosbassano.it/?cat=6
Arts
A Museum Area was opened in 2014 inside Villa del Poggio Imperiale, that has been an educational institute for over 150 years.
The Institute is thus considered a School-Museum where the boarding school students, after getting the license as ‘Guida del Poggio’, carry out internship work as Museum guides. These students act as tour guides, providing in various languages all information regarding the special cultural asset as part of their School-Work alternation program.
Languages
Enhancement of the English Language
The Educandato welcomes the European Commission’s indications aimed to promote the teaching of languages for enabling people to communicate in at least two foreign languages.
To achieve this, the boarding school has activated English language Enhancement courses for the achievement of Cambridge certifications, based on the Common European Framework.
The school has been a Cambridge Training Centre for years now, and as such organises ESOL examination preparation courses and assists students in registering for final exams.
Enhancement of the Spanish Language
The study of Spanish as Language and Culture 3 (as an alternative to German), is furthered also through participation in eTwinning projects in which some classes study in cooperation with peers in bachillerato (liceo) classes in schools in Spain.
Language internships in the UK and Spain
In the second and fourth years of Liceo, the teachers organise a linguistic internship in the United Kingdom or in Spain. The purpose of these internships is to improve and enhance the students’ skills in English and Spanish as well as to provide opportunities for personal growth, so as to improve their mobility in the world of employment or in their future studies.