FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 1 - GENERAL LINES AND SKILLS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 1 GENERAL LINES 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 the achievement of a level of mastery traceable to at least level B2 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 (literary, artistic, musical, scientific, social, economic); to produce oral and written texts to report facts, describe situations, argue and support opinions; to interact in the foreign language in a manner appropriate to both the interlocutors and the context; to analyze and interpret aspects related to the culture of the countries whose 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. Experience in the use of foreign language for oral and written comprehension and reworking of content from non-linguistic disciplines will 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 comprehensively and selectively oral and written texts on known topics related to the personal and social sphere; produces oral and written texts, linear and cohesive 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, variety of registers and texts, etc.), also from a comparative perspective, in order to acquire an awareness of similarities and differences 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 comprehensively, selectively and in detail oral/written texts pertaining to areas of interest in each high school; produces structured and cohesive oral and written texts to report facts, describe phenomena and situations, and support opinions with appropriate arguments; participates in conversations and interacts in discussion, including with native speakers, in a manner appropriate to both the interlocutors and the context; reflects on the system (phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary, etc. ) and linguistic usages (functions, variety of registers and texts, pragmatic aspects, etc.), also from a comparative perspective, in order to acquire an awareness of the similarities and differences between the foreign language and the Italian language; reflects on knowledge, skills and strategies acquired in the foreign language in function of transferability to other languages.

FIFTH YEAR.
The student acquires linguistic-communicative skills corresponding to at least Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for 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 reach an acceptable level of linguistic mastery. In particular, the fifth year of the high school route serves to consolidate the method of studying the foreign language for learning non-linguistic content, consistent with the cultural axis characterizing each high school and in accordance with the development of personal or professional interests.

Culture

FIRST TWO YEARS
As part of the development of knowledge about the cultural universe related to the foreign language, the student understands 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, iconic-graphic texts, such as topical documents, easy-to-understand literary texts, films, videos, etc., to grasp their main formal and cultural specificities; recognizes similarities and diversities between cultural phenomena of countries where different languages are spoken (e.g., foreign language culture vs. Italian language culture).

SECOND TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
As part of the development of knowledge related to the cultural universe of the foreign language, the student understands aspects related to the culture of the countries where the language is spoken with particular reference to the areas of most immediate interest to each high school (literary, artistic, musical, scientific, social, economic); understands and contextualizes literary texts from different eras, with priority given to those genres or themes that are motivating for the student; analyzes and compares literary texts as well as artistic productions from different languages/cultures (Italian and foreign); uses the foreign language in the study of topics from non-linguistic disciplines; uses new information and communication technologies to study topics in depth.

FIFTH YEAR.
The student deepens aspects of culture related to the language of study and to the high school characterization (literary, artistic, musical, scientific, social, economic), with particular reference to the problems and languages proper to modern and contemporary times.
Analyzes and compares literary texts from different languages and cultures (Italian and foreign); understands and interprets cultural products of different types and genres, on topics of current affairs, cinema, music, art; uses new technologies to do research, delve into non-linguistic topics, express themselves creatively and communicate with foreign interlocutors.