I am honored to introduce a brand new web portal created by the Italian Consulate in San Francisco and the Italian Cultural Institute to promote Italian language education in the consular district of Northern California and the US North-West: www.weloveitalian.org.
Together we must promote the teaching of Italian in the region and increase the number of AP students. Indeed, in the face of a substantial decline in the number of Italian AP test takers, the time to act is now. Your donations to the Adopt an Italian Language-Student Campaign will directly contribute to a student taking the Italian AP exam or a teacher becoming certified in preparing pupils for the exam. We are truly touched by how people are donating so far. If you’re interested, please join the campaign.
WeLoveItalian.org puts forward the various values of learning Italian, such as that it benefits your career, makes you stand out, is beautiful and fun, helps connect with Italian heritage and complements French and Spanish speakers. Additionally, visitors to the site can connect with local Italian language schools and access an Italian AP resource center that gives a 360-degree prep package for both students and instructors. Whether you are a parent, student, PTA member, school principal, language instructor or a supportive member of our community, there is something for you on this excellent website. Please check it out today.
Our community is rising to the challenge – taking action – to support our immediate goal of adopting Italian AP exam students and our longer term initiatives to raise awareness about Italian as a rich, beneficial language to learn for life and career. Serious headway is already being made, especially after the February 13th luncheon at the Italian Athletic Club when the website was officially launched with Mayor Ed Lee, local supporters of Italian language and Ambassador Bisogniero by video.
Check out the site today to learn more about why Italian is a great language choice and what you can do to support our efforts. Also, let’s start using #WeLoveItalian on social media to coordinate our efforts. In the next few days we’ll be introducing local champions of the Italian language who will explain by video how the language has helped transform their lives. The first one comes tomorrow. Stay tuned!