At THPS, all students participate in our vibrant Italian language program. Classes are taught by two specialist Italian teacher in our dedicated LOTE learning space, where students are immersed in the language in an engaging and supportive environment.

Each class takes part in a one-hour Italian lesson each week. Lessons are interactive and hands-on, with students developing skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Italian. Through games, songs, role plays, stories and collaborative tasks, students build confidence in communicating while also learning how to read and write simple words, phrases and sentences.

Students are encouraged to use the Italian they learn during LOTE lessons in other settings — including their regular classrooms, in the playground and at home. Practising vocabulary and simple phrases in everyday situations helps strengthen their understanding and supports meaningful language use beyond the Italian classroom.

Our Italian program provides dynamic learning experiences that promote communication and active participation. Students apply skills from Literacy, Numeracy and the Arts while deepening their understanding of Italian culture, traditions and ways of life.

Learning another language helps children appreciate different cultures and perspectives. It fosters respect for diversity and strengthens students’ understanding of Australia’s multicultural and multilingual society. In addition, learning Italian enhances students’ awareness of how language works, further supporting their development in English.

Through the Italian program, students develop their knowledge and skills by:

• Listening to and repeating teacher-modelled language
• Participating in classroom routines, conversations and interactive games
• Reading and writing familiar words, labels and simple sentences
• Identifying vocabulary using visual cues and written prompts
• Introducing themselves and using greetings and farewells
• Following simple spoken and written instructions
• Recognising the sounds of the Italian alphabet
• Exploring letter–sound relationships
• Comparing selected sounds and language patterns in Italian and English
• Learning about Italian cultural icons, geographical features and famous landmarks

Our Italian program aims to build confident, capable learners who can communicate in Italian both orally and in writing, while developing a genuine appreciation for the language and culture.