With support from the Istituto di Cultura Italiana in Chicago, the Department of French and Italian and the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, OSU is hosting the first ever gathering (or ‘summit’) of Italian instructors at the high school and university level throughout Ohio. At the university level, we have noted a decrease in the number of students taking and continuing their studies in foreign languages in general and in Italian in particular, despite the increased need for speakers of foreign languages in our increasingly globalized world. This is the time to build awareness of the importance of foreign language study in our communities and to work together to build our language programs at all levels. Please see the tentative program description below and RSVP as soon as possible to Janice Aski.
Note: For all participants from Ohio high schools: A certificate of completion of 5 contact hours will be provided and Prof. Janice M. Aski will provide the authorized signature.
Schedule
Location: Maudine Cow Room in the Ohio Union
9:00-10:00
Coffee and registration
10:00-10:15
Welcome remarks and introduction: Janice M. Aski, The Ohio State University
10:15-10:35
Alberta Lai, Istituto di Cultura Italiana, Chicago: Support for the teaching of Italian at the university level in Ohio and the Midwest
10:35-10:55
Dr. Sandro Corso, Educational Office of the Consulate General of Italy, Chicago: Promotion of teaching Italian in public schools in Ohio and the Midwest
10:55-11:15
Kathleen Shelton, Department of Education, Columbus, Ohio: Adding Italian to the curriculum in additional high schools throughout Ohio – first steps.
11:15-11:30
Anthony G. Franchina, The Council for the Promotion of the Italian Language in American Schools (COPILAS)
11:30-12:00
Questions and discussion
12:00-1:00
Lunch
1:00-1:20
Janice M. Aski, The Ohio State University: The new General Education Requirements at the Ohio State University and implications for high school language courses
1:30-2:30
Break out discussion groups:
1. How to increase enrollments in Italian in both HS and university
2. Articulation issues between HS and university
3. How to increase the number of students who take the AP test
4. What can universities do to support HS language programs and vice versa.
2:30-2:45
Coffee break
2:45-4:00
Discussion and action plans (Moderator: Janice M. Aski)
