Italy: New measures promote linguistic integration of immigrant students

A new law in Italy, introduced on 29 July, includes measures to promote the linguistic integration of migrant pupils in primary and secondary schools. 

Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, the education ministry will be able to assign teachers dedicated to teaching Italian to classes with at least 20% migrant students. The migrant students must either be enrolled in the national education system for the first time, or have not yet reached the A2 level of language fluency. In training for secondary school teachers, the number of places for the 'Italian language for foreign language learners' (Italian L2) course will consequently be increased.

The new law also provides for agreements between schools and the Provincial Centres for Adult Education (CPIA), in order to verify entry level knowledge of Italian and to draw up personalised teaching plans for newly-arrived foreign students. In addition, from the next school year, schools with a high proportion of foreign pupils with little knowledge of Italian will promote educational reinforcement activities during extracurricular hours, financed by the national programme 'PN School and Skills 2021-2027'.

The law is the result of recognition that investing in teaching of the Italian language can promote the integration of incoming foreign students. As noted in the online journal La Voce just before the passing of the law, an adequate knowledge of the Italian language is a requirement in order for students to master other classes too (including mathematics). Moreover, language integration requires massive and early investments, which would yield strong social returns in the future.