Italian Language Promotion

NEWS FROM THE EDUCATION OFFICE OF THE
CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY IN CHICAGO

In October 1998, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs established an Education Office at the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago. Its function is to coordinate and promote the teaching of the Italian language within the consular jurisdiction of Chicago. The Office is particularly concerned with classes managed by private institutions and directed to a public of children and adults, as well as classes introduced directly into the American educational system, from elementary to high school level.

In a jurisdiction which encompasses 11 states of the Midwest and nearly one and a half million Italian-Americans, Italian language and culture classes are currently organized by 8 schools, 4 of which operate in the area of Chicago and another 4 which operate in the States of Wisconsin, Missouri and Colorado.

The total number of classes offered in the academic year 1999-2000 is equal to 198 with a total number of 2941 students; of these, 136 classes were in schools with 1821 students; the total contribution from the Italian government for all classes, for the same period, amounted to Lit. 380.000.000 (nearly 200,000 dollars).

During the Nineties, there was a significant increase in classes for the promotion and maintenance of Italian language and culture, with a sharp rise in the number of managing schools. However, the initiative showing the most potential was the Pilot Project for the teaching of Italian in 12 public schools in the Chicago area, put into effect by "Italidea".

Begun during the academic year 1998-99, the project is supported by funds distributed by the Italian government as well as the State of Illinois which uses federal funds related to the "Goal 2000" project. The dual Italian and American paternity gives the project particular prestige and reflects its high quality. All participating students, even those at the elementary level, use textbooks and various traditional and multimedia materials.

The Education Officer of the Consulate General gives special attention to this project, recognizing its potential for development in future years due to the new, original standards it was able to establish.

The Education Officer is responsible also for locating qualified teachers for assignment to single school districts and to managing institutions. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Rome), this Office sets up initiatives for the training of teachers, as well as maintaining contacts and collaboration with Italian and American universities.

Of particular importance are contacts and relations which the Education Officer creates with various local institutions, American and Italian-American alike. This cooperation helps in examining all existing possibilities for the inclusion of the Italian program in the local educational system and organizing a rich and up-to-date list of all initiatives within the consular jurisdiction.

The Education Officer in charge is Mr Sergio Iacinti, who hopes to expand this web page and create a separate site, linked to the Consulate General’s.

For additional information: