"In bocca al lupo" or how to manage the Italian language

Switzerland has four national languages: German is the most widely spoken (63,5%), followed by French (22,5%), Italian (8,1%) and Romansh, an ancient Latin-based language spoken by just 0,5% of the population. According to the European Commission, Italian is the fourth most commonly used language in the EU.

Being USI the only university of Italian language and culture in the Swiss academic landscape, since 2006 it is particularly committed in the organization of free of charge Italian language courses. Knowledge of the Italian language in our region can in fact provide many chances both in personal and professional lives. Not only it can make it easier to communicate in shops and restaurants or with colleagues and organizations, but also it may increase job opportunities.

The Italian language programme is designed for USI students and USI professionals at all levels who want to develop and improve their practical Italian skills. Courses are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). More specifically, throughout each semester USI offers an Italian language study programme organized in twelve modules: four intensive two-week courses prior to the semester start at Absolute Beginner (A1), Beginner (A1-A2), Elementary (A2), and Intermediate level (B1) and nine semestral courses from level A1 until level C1.

The objective is to give participants the opportunity to acquire as much knowledge of the language as possible in a corresponding amount of time. A language is however not only a set of sounds and meanings, but also of encounters with other peers. We therefore encourage our students to communicate by organizing different group activities both inside and outside the classroom.

The USI Italian language programme aims to encourage the integration  of our national and international students in the Italian speaking region, not only by learning and improving the language but also by getting to know our canton and our culture. Prior to the semester start we therefore welcome our students by offering an extra-curricular timetable including a guided city tour, an Italian film viewing, a guided visit of an exhibition in the Cultural centre LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, and last but not least an aperitif by the sandy beach of the Lugano Lido.

The appreciation for this approach is well demonstrated by the large number of participants. Each year about 600 students enroll and 400 obtain the certificate of attendance (awarded with an attendance of at least 75% of the course and the participation in the final test).

“I always thought it is very useful to know the language that people speak around you and I decided to attend the Italian courses at USI even before I arrived in Lugano. I like the language a lot and I thought it’s a great opportunity offered by the University. I wanted to learn Italian so that I can speak to people freely (not only in Ticino, but in Italy as well) and to have more opportunities when looking for a job.”

These are Boryana’s words, 26 years old, from Bulgaria, currently Master student and intern at USI. Together with Rana, an Aegyptian PhD student in Media and Journalism at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, she is a very active participant of these courses. They both accepted to explain why they decided to attend the courses and which are the aspects they appreciate the most.

Rana: “I do appreciate everything about this course as we don’t only study from the main assigned book, we also receive handouts, training tests and other materials from the lecturer which gives us a better chance for doing more exercises and training that enhances our understanding of the language.” Boryana is so enthusiast about the courses that she even “would also appreciate a class that is more intensive during the semester - a class that has more lectures or covers more material.”

In fact, Italian is not as easy to learn as it could seem. Rana admits that sometimes she finds it challenging, especially when it comes to the speak- ing: “unfortunately, I still encounter some difficulties as I am not confident enough to start speaking Italian with people and I am still a little bit afraid to open conversations in Italian. Also, I have some pronunciation mistakes that I am trying to overcome by practice.”

In order to overcome these difficulties a lot of extra activities are organized, “that still can be a great exercise from learning the language. For example going to the theatre or watching a movie in Italian at USI.”(Boryana)

“Personally, I also appreciate how the amazing instructor, Ms. Susanne Stigen Pescia, tries all the time to link the language with cultural and social aspects to introduce us about aspects related to the history, customs and traditions of the Italian part of Switzerland and different parts of Italy.” (Rana)

*In bocca al lupo literally means “in the mouth of the wolf”. It is the Italian way of wishing you luck, and that is by inviting you to get eaten by a wolf, to which the other person must respond ‘Crepi il lupo’ (‘The wolf shall die’).