Ciao a tutti !  Hi everyone, Benvenuti a FWPS!

At Footscray West Primary School we study Italian as a second language. 

Students participate in an Italian lesson once a week and are exposed to the language via a wide range of activities such as music, singing, drawing, puppet making, role-playing, stories and games.

Research shows that, by comparing and reflecting on the patterns of a language, the study of a second language (at a young age in particular) improves the first language knowledge and promotes intercultural awareness.

Learning a second language is not exactly easy, but it multiplies the brain's ability to make connections and opens the door to many professional careers (or confident journeys!)

At primary school level, the goal is not fluency, but establishing a base line of confidence with the patterns of the language and reflecting on the aspects of Italian culture which have become popular in Australia.

From Preps to Seniors, the students learn how to:

• Greet and farewell each other.
• Express their preferences and enquire about their peers favourite things, while exploring topics such as food, sport, games, art, music and many others.
• Build a vocabulary relating to numbers, colours, shapes, days, months, appreciations, places, professions, etc.
  • Identify cultural icons, geographic features, famous buildings, historical personalities of Italy, and make simple statements about them in Italian.
  • Reflect on the ways the Italian culture has influenced the Australian culture.
  • Use bilingual dictionaries, browse books and use a range of multimedia tools to effectively expand their expertise.

Languages of Australia for modern citizens of the world

At FWPS we celebrate multiculturalism, as an acknowledgement of the importance of all the languages and cultures that make our community so diverse and vibrant.

During the Italian program students are also invited to collaborate and recognise all their cultures and family backgrounds.

They organise events such as Footscray West Multicultural Day, where the richness and diversity of Australia is celebrated through many interesting and funny ways.  Students also promote projects of cooperation and solidarity with other educational communities in Australia and overseas.

Forza Ragazzi! C’mon boys and girls,

Buon Divertimento! Have fun!