The State Professional Institute for Industry and Craftsmanship (IPSIA for the Made in Italy) is a type of Italian Secondary School with a specific five-year study program whose curriculum focuses on the “Made in Italy” sectors.
Its goal is to educate students culturally in the humanities, in general, but more specifically to train them in the skills and knowledge required to work in and promote key Italian industries known for their quality and design.
The first two years’ study program is analogous to other types of Italian Secondary Schools, including the various types of “Liceo”. Therefore, regarding the study of English as a foreign language they have the same opportunities as the students attending other Italian Secondary Schools and their language proficiency stems from the same type of studies.
Starting from the third year however this path provides students with a focus on Italian excellence meaning that students learn about the historical and cultural value of Italian products (design, fashion, furniture, mechanics etc.).
The curriculum emphasises practical skills through hands-on experiences, involving workshops and the use of modern technology alongside traditional craftsmanship.
Moreover, these schools often collaborate with local business for internships allowing students to familiarise with the job market and its requirements.
As far as learning English as a foreign language, it is precisely at this time that the language study becomes more specific featuring knowledge that highlights building vocabulary specifically concerned with the field of fashion design, language proficiency then is highly centred and concerned with all that gravitates around it. The teaching approach is therefore CBI (Contente Based Instruction), meaning that it integrates language learning with academic content.
Needless to say that students who attend IPSIA for the Made in Italy, like all Italian Secondary Schools’ students, at the end of the five-year course of study must sit in the final exams called “Esame di maturità” to achieve their diploma and are then eligible to enroll in any University of their choice to pursue higher education towards attaining an undergraduate certification or their Master’s Degree.
Furthermore they also have the option of enrolling in any of the newly created “Istituti Tecnici Superiori” (ITS) to attain formal recognition for higher education program.
THIRD YEAR PROGRAM
FOURTH YEAR PROGRAM
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