BEFORE she began studying Italian, Anna Bashall could not speak a word of the language.

In just eight months the 17-year-old has not only passed a GCSE in the subject, at the Colchester Tutorial Centre in Colchester, but also been named in the top ten in the UK.

Miss Bashall, who has been home-schooled since she was 13, said: “It was quite a surprise to be named in the top ten.

“I only started learning it eight months ago but I found it quite easy to study.

humanities “I’ve already got French and Spanish GCSEs, and I think they helped me with learning Italian.”

Miss Bashall’s next plan is to study a GCSE in Chinese, as well as A levels in French and Spanish, and tackling an Open University course in humanities.

“I’m hoping to go to university but I’m hoping to take a gap year first,” she said.

“I’ll apply this time next year, so hopefully I’ll be able to start in 2010.”

She has no fears about her home education background being a problem.

Her older sister is already studying at St Andrew’s University in Scotland.

“She did really well to get there because she didn’t do A-levels, she did an Open University course which was the equivalent,” said Miss Bashall, of Fossetts Lane, Fordham.

“I only got into home education because my parents started teaching my sister at home.

“She was in the build-up to her GCSEs and there was lots of pressure to get all A*s, and it spoilt the enjoyment of learning.

“When I saw how good it was I decided I wanted to do that too.”

Miss Bashall does have a structure to her “school” week and has lessons every day, working towards the qualifications.

Herplans for a gap year may include visiting family in South Africa, taking a Chinese course in Beijing, or a Spanish course in Costa Rica.