GCSE Italian: specification updates from first teaching in September 2026

We have made some small but important corrections, expansions and additions to the vocabulary list in our GCSE Italian (8633) specification. These updates will apply from first teaching in September 2026, for first exams in 2028 and onwards.

Changes in detail

The following vocabulary have been corrected or clarified to ensure accuracy and consistency:

• invitare – to invite
• attrezzatura – equipment
• i soldi – money
• maestro – primary school teacher
• professore – secondary school teacher / professor
• Bolognese – Bolognese (person)
• scozzese, il – scozzese, lo
• zio/zia, il/la – zio/zia, lo/la
• subito – at once / immediately
• potere – to be able to
• il vicino di casa – neighbour
• volontario, i – volontari, i
• libreria – bookcase
• Portoghese – Portoghese (person)
• Siciliano – Siciliano (person)
• Veneziano – Veneziano/a, il/la
• Veneziano – Veneziano (person)
• la mensa – canteen
• spiegazione – explanation
• nubile – unmarried (woman)
• celibe – unmarried (man)
• cognato/a, il/la – brother-in-law / sister-in-law
• SMS, la – SMS, il
• anno sabatico – anno sabbatico
• piano (forte) – pianoforte
• festa della mamma la – festa della mamma, la
• vista la – vista, la
• paesaggio, il – landscape / scenery

Expansions

Additional English meanings have been added where relevant to reflect authentic usage:

• importare – to import / to matter to
• succedere – to succeed / to happen
• portare – to carry, to bring, to deliver, to contribute to, to wear 

New additions

The following words have been added to the vocabulary list to support coverage and progression:

• chiedere - to ask
• sposarsi – to get married
• inviare – to send
• attrazione – attraction
• i saldi – sales
• ragù – bolognese meat sauce 

The updated specification (version 1.1, June 2026) is available on our website. Please make sure you are using the latest version.

If you have any questions about our languages qualifications, you can email us at mfl@aqa.org.uk or call 01423 534 381.