By Miss Gamberini, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

It’s been full steam ahead for our Italian Short Course this year!

On March 27th we hosted the first ‘language tandem’ with our partner school in Florence.

Chris, Addie and Alexia brilliantly represented the school, showing off their amazing language skills, receiving praise for their pronunciation and language.

After only one year of study, they were able to converse with three native speakers of the same age and use Italian to ask for clarification and socialise with their peers in Florence. When it was their turn to act as English teachers, they were kind, friendly and super helpful, ensuring everyone had a great time!

Overall, students have been working very hard towards their A2 language certificates, and their language skills are progressing very well this year. With the help of Signora Beckerman, the students have become confident speakers.

Addie and Chris have done a fantastic work representing the department this year. Their help in the Italian-Spanish assembly was instrumental, and everyone always enjoys their confident and witty delivery style. Students are going above and beyond to immerse themselves in the language. Alexia and Addie have bravely entered the Anthea Bell Prize competition for Young Translators, having a go at translating a Level 4 unabridged extract from an Italian novel. A special mention should go to Jasmine DRR and Giuliana R, who also entered the competition translating a Level 3 unabridged text.

Who knows what the future holds! Our trip to Cambridge to sit the PLIDA exam is in the making, as well as our annual pasta making class with the Harrow school. But more surprises are awaiting our brave Italian students.

For now, this is a wrap up and Signora Beckerman and Signora Gamberini would like to wish everyone ‘Buona Pasqua!’