The Australian Curriculum: Languages is designed to enable all students to engage in learning a language in addition to English. The design of the Australian Curriculum: Languages recognises the features that languages share as well as the distinctiveness of specific languages.

Learning languages:

• extends the capability to communicate and extends literacy repertoires
• strengthens understanding of the nature of language, of culture, and of the processes of communication
• develops intercultural capability
• develops understanding of and respect for diversity and difference, and an openness to different experiences and perspectives
• develops understanding of how culture shapes worldviews and extends learners’ understanding of themselves, their own heritage, values, culture and identity
• strengthens intellectual, analytical and reflective capabilities, and enhances creative and critical thinking.

The target language at Athelstone School for all students is Italian.