This Chapter focuses on multilingualism and immigrant languages in Italy, and reports on a preliminary research on educational policies and practices in a small sample of schools with a significant presence of pupils with limited Italian proficiency due to their history of recent immigration. After an overview of different forms of multilingualism in the EU with special regard to non-national languages, the discussion considers Italy’s policies implemented over time towards regional and minority languages and, later, immigrant languages. Special consideration is given to mediation activities, which are currently the staple of measures aimed at favouring the integration of immigrant students while helping them preserve their native languages. Against this background, the study describes and discusses a survey we conducted in selected primary, junior high and high schools in the Greater Milan area (Lombardy) with a view to identifying teachers’ attitudes and expectations in respect of the perceived challenges posed by a multilingual/multicultural class population, and to assess the way in which such perceived challenges are addressed, or it is believed they should be addressed, by the teachers interviewed. The informants selected were teachers and heads of schools participating in a project set up by the University of Milan for the training of language mediators specialised in pedagogical assistance. Emerging practices are investigated against the background of existing policies - both at national and at supranational level - designed to protect and promote local minority and heritage languages, which turn out to be ill-equipped when they deal with immigrant languages.

Multilingualism and immigration in the educational system: The case of Italian schools / P. Catenaccio, G. Garzone (CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE). - In: Urban Multilingualism in Europe : Bridging the Gap between Language Policies and Language Practices / [a cura di] G. Caliendo, R. Janssens, S. Slembrouck, P. Van Avermaet. - Prima edizione. - Boston : De Gruyter Mouton, 2019. - ISBN 9781501503207. - pp. 37-68

Multilingualism and immigration in the educational system: The case of Italian schools

P. Catenaccio;G. Garzone
2019

Abstract

This Chapter focuses on multilingualism and immigrant languages in Italy, and reports on a preliminary research on educational policies and practices in a small sample of schools with a significant presence of pupils with limited Italian proficiency due to their history of recent immigration. After an overview of different forms of multilingualism in the EU with special regard to non-national languages, the discussion considers Italy’s policies implemented over time towards regional and minority languages and, later, immigrant languages. Special consideration is given to mediation activities, which are currently the staple of measures aimed at favouring the integration of immigrant students while helping them preserve their native languages. Against this background, the study describes and discusses a survey we conducted in selected primary, junior high and high schools in the Greater Milan area (Lombardy) with a view to identifying teachers’ attitudes and expectations in respect of the perceived challenges posed by a multilingual/multicultural class population, and to assess the way in which such perceived challenges are addressed, or it is believed they should be addressed, by the teachers interviewed. The informants selected were teachers and heads of schools participating in a project set up by the University of Milan for the training of language mediators specialised in pedagogical assistance. Emerging practices are investigated against the background of existing policies - both at national and at supranational level - designed to protect and promote local minority and heritage languages, which turn out to be ill-equipped when they deal with immigrant languages.
multilingualism; language policy; education; mediation; multilingual classroom
Settore L-LIN/12 - Lingua e Traduzione - Lingua Inglese
2019
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/701186
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