FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 2 - GENERAL OUTLINES AND SKILLS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 2 - OUTLINES AND SKILLS

The study of foreign language and culture must proceed along two interrelated fundamental axes: the development of linguistic-communicative skills and the development of knowledge related to the cultural universe linked to the language of reference. As the goal of the entire high school pathway is, as a rule, the achievement of a level of mastery traceable to at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

To this end, during the high school course the student acquires the ability to understand oral and written texts related to issues of both personal and scholastic interest (socio-economic, literary and artistic fields); to produce oral and written texts to report facts, describe situations, support opinions; to interact in the foreign language in a manner appropriate to both the interlocutors and the context; to analyze aspects related to the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken, with attention to issues common to several disciplines.

The added value is the conscious use of effective communicative strategies and reflection on the language system and uses, as well as cultural phenomena. Experiences in the use of the foreign language for oral and written comprehension of content from non-linguistic disciplines may also be carried out with appropriate gradualness.
The course of education includes the constant use of the foreign language. This will enable students to have shared experiences in both linguistic communication and understanding of foreign culture from an intercultural perspective. Fundamental, therefore, is the development of awareness of cultural similarities and differences, which is essential in contact with other cultures, even within our own country.
Virtual and in-presence exchanges, study visits and stays, including individual ones, educational internships in Italy or abroad (in cultural, social, productive, professional realities) may be integrated into the high school path.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Language

FIRST TWO YEARS
In the area of linguistic-communicative competence, the student comprehends in a comprehensive way short oral and written texts on known topics related to the personal and social sphere; produces short oral and written texts to describe people and situations in a simple way; participates in short conversations and interacts in simple exchanges on known topics of personal interest; reflects on the system (phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary, etc.) and language functions, also from a comparative perspective with the Italian language; reflects on foreign language learning strategies in order to develop autonomy in study.

SECOND TWO-YEAR PERIOD
In the area of linguistic-communicative competence, the student comprehends n globally and selectively oral and written texts on known topics inherent to the personal and social sphere; produces linear and cohesive oral and written texts to report facts and describe situations inherent to nearby environments and personal experiences; participates in conversations and interacts in discussion, including with native speakers, in a manner appropriate to the context; reflects on the system (phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary, etc. ) and language uses (functions, registers, etc.), also from a comparative perspective, in order to acquire an awareness of similarities and differences with the Italian language; uses in the study of the language skills and learning strategies acquired by studying other foreign languages.

FIFTH YEAR.
The student acquires linguistic-communicative skills corresponding to at least Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. In particular, he/she consolidates his/her method of study, transferring into the language skills and strategies acquired by studying other languages; he/she produces oral and written texts (to report, describe, argue) and reflects on the formal characteristics of the texts produced in order to achieve acceptable linguistic competence.

Culture

FIRST TWO YEARS
As part of the development of knowledge about the cultural universe related to the foreign language, the student understands and analyzes aspects related to the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken, with particular reference to the social sphere; analyzes simple oral, written, iconographic-graphic texts on topics of personal and social interest; compares aspects of his/her own culture with aspects related to the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken.

SECOND TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
As part of the development of knowledge about the cultural universe related to the foreign language, the student understands and analyzes aspects related to the culture of the countries in which the language is spoken, with particular reference to the socio-economic sphere; analyzes simple oral, written, iconico-
graphics on topics of current affairs, literature, cinema, art, etc.; recognizes similarities and diversities between cultural phenomena of countries where different languages are spoken (e.g., foreign language culture vs. Italian language culture).

FIFTH YEAR.
The student delves into aspects of culture related to the language of study; understands and elaborates short texts on topics of personal interest (literature, current events, cinema, music, art); understands and analyzes documents in the socio-economic field, also with the use of new technologies; uses the foreign language for the study and learning of topics related to non-linguistic disciplines.