Purpose:
Diritto di Parola emphasizes the importance of language and Italian culture knowledge for citizenship. The linguistic integration initiative focuses on providing Italian language courses for foreigners to facilitate their integration into the community and access to employment, education, and services. The Diritto di Parola (Freedom of Speech) network has been active in the city for over a decade, collaborating with the Municipality of Reggio Emilia to address the need for structured and lasting linguistic integration for citizens of foreign origin.
Stimulus/Rationale:
Recognizing the importance of linguistic proficiency in fostering social inclusion and facilitating access to education, employment, and services, this initiative seeks to address the linguistic needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. By providing Italian language courses, complementary activities, and inclusive events, the initiative aims to empower individuals to participate more fully in the community and contribute to its social and economic fabric.
Of the five strategic areas of intervention outlined in "Reggio città Ditutti," the intercultural policy program approved by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Rette Diritto di Parola is included in the "Intercultural educational destinations for citizenship and multilingualism," specifically on the implementation of interventions supporting linguistic integration. The programme Diritto di Parola includes activities such as public seminars on citizenship and literacy, Italian language courses, network schools, courses for migrant mothers, and training materials for L2 instructors to teach inclusively.
Process:
The process involves collaboration between the Diritto di Parola network and the Municipality of Reggio Emilia to design and implement various linguistic integration activities. These activities include Italian language courses following the European Framework of Reference for Languages, thematic workshops, and inter-generational integrated courses. Flexibility is key, with partners adapting teaching methods to accommodate both in-person and distance learning formats. Regular coordination meetings ensure the smooth execution of activities and enable adjustments in response.
Diritto di Parola network promotes different activities such as:
- Mamme a Scuola. This project aims to provide women with linguistic autonomy tools, enabling them to bring to the courses their non-school-aged children aged 0-6 along.
- Italiano per la patente. These courses aim to simplify technical language for preparing for the Theory Test to obtain a Driver's License, using more accessible Italian language for those still learning it.
- Corsi Mirati. These courses aim to enhance students' skills. Among these are reading courses, spoken language enhancement, and mathematics.
- Connessione e’ Sapere. Enhance foreign students' remote learning experience, support parental engagement with schools through digital tools, and aid adults in transitioning to digital identity.
- Lingue Lontane, Comunita’Vicine. The Project was aimed at the Chinese community in the Station Area, isolated during the pandemic, to help participants gradually return to in-person classroom presence and engage in socialization projects, including learning the Italian language.
- Lingua al Lavoro. The courses aim to support students in learning Italian tailored for the workplace, with a particular focus on personal care work and environments.
Impact:
The impact of this initiative is multifaceted. Firstly, it aims to enhance the linguistic skills of individuals of foreign origin, thereby increasing their opportunities for social interaction, employment, and educational advancement. Secondly, by fostering linguistic integration, the initiative contributes to building a more inclusive and cohesive community where diversity is celebrated and valued. Lastly, by promoting intercultural understanding and dialogue, the initiative helps to create a more harmonious and interconnected society in Reggio Emilia.
With the coordination of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia's intercultural office, the network partners designed and implemented various courses and activities categorized into basic language courses following the European Framework of Reference for Languages, thematic courses for experimentation and inclusion, and inter-generational integrated courses tailored to young newcomers from their countries of origin.
Balance report of the initiative could be found here.
Key reference documents:
https://www.comune.re.it/argomenti/intercultura/progetti/integrazione-linguistica
