25 November 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General invited the City of Milan to present the website, www.milano.italianostranieri.org, to the Filipino community.  The interactive website facilitates the search for schools which provide affordable or even free Italian language lessons to foreigners.

Representatives from the City of Milan, Ms. Franca Locati and Ms. Arcangela Mastromarco, explained that the project is an initiative of the City of Milan to assist the integration of foreigners into Italian society.  A new law passed on March 10 makes it obligatory for long-staying foreigners to have an A2 or elementary level of Italian language in order to renew their permit of stay in Italy.

Ms. Locati also informed the Filipino community that it is possible to have lessons designed to fit the student’s needs, i.e. specialized vocabulary and practice situations for their line of work.

Consul General Marichu Mauro encouraged the Filipino community to take advantage of this opportunity to learn Italian, advising that their ability to speak the language will not only improve their skills but will also facilitate their integration into the Italian society.

The www.milano.italianostranieri.org project was funded by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.  END