An English Language Syllabus for Italian Primary School Teachers

Area 10 – Scienze dell'antichità, filologico-letterarie e storico-artistiche

The introduction of English as a compulsory subject for Italian primary school pupils from year one, in line with European Language Policy to promote foreign language proficiency through early language learning, have given rise in recent years to government sponsored teacher training projects in Italy. The design of an appropriate language syllabus is an important aspect of the project and has been the subject of wide research both in Italy and throughout Europe. The present study aims to contribute to such research by presenting an English Language Syllabus, which was specifically designed for Italian primary school teachers with only an elementary level of competence in the English language, as part of the training project organized by the Campania Education Authorities. In particular, the study highlights the need to include appropriate linguistic repertoires in the syllabus and presents samples of such repertoires based on the analysis of a mini corpus of English native speaker teacher's discourse at the primary school level.

SINTESI