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                 Italian     

At  Donvale  Primary School, the children are given the opportunity to learn Italian. They participate in a weekly Italian lesson in the newly built Italian room.

The Italian language and culture is introduced through a variety of familiar topics such as, the family, food, weather, greetings, sport and classroom expressions.

During Italian lessons, the children take part in singing Italian songs, listening to stories and role-playing dialogues, all in a fun and interactive environment.

There are four computers in the Italian room which can be used during lessons to access Fiore Teaches Italian and Languages Online.

The children are challenged with cultural projects and are encouraged to enter the Annual Eastern Region Poetry Competition and other language competitions which arise during the course of the school year.

 Italian Multicultural Day is always an anticipated event. In 2007, the children dressed in colourful costumes for the theme of Carnevale and they wore masks which they created during their art lesson. They were entertained by a variety of cultural groups on the day.

In 2008, Multicultural Day was a combination of Performing Arts and LOTE. The children watched a theatrical group perform Olympic Gold and they were also entertained by Mangia, Mangia, an Italian comedy act. The theme was the Olympics and the children enjoyed an Italian/ Chinese lunch.

Languages Matter!

The united nations has proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages. These are some of the benefits of learning a LOTE in childhood:

·        Learning another language enhances a child’s literacy.

·        Language learning increases knowledge of word and sentence structure.

·        During lessons, the children often make connections with English and Italian and other languages that are spoken at home.

·        Communicating in a LOTE builds a child’s confidence because they are  challenged to interact in the classroom.

·        Language learning promotes cultural awareness and an appreciation and respect for other cultures.

·        Most of all, communicating in another  language is fun!