Italian Students Make a Global Connection With the ITALengAmerica Language Exchange Program

When is language learning more than just language? When it becomes a bridge between cultures, as students in Dr. Antenos’ intermediate and advanced language classes discovered this fall. Through ITALengAMERICA, a groundbreaking virtual exchange program, Montclair students connected with Italian counterparts from Italian high schools and universities, transforming traditional language learning into a dynamic, intercontinental dialogue. This innovative initiative goes beyond textbook learning, creating a platform where linguistic skills and cultural understanding flourish simultaneously, weaving together the experiences of young learners across continents.

Since its launch in 2020, ITALengAMERICA has organized weekly virtual meetings, where students engage in tandem conversations, improving language proficiency while gaining insight into each other’s daily lives, traditions, and perspectives. Dr. Antenos, who herself attended the Sunday morning sessions, shared: “I decided to integrate this exchange as an option for my students, providing those who opted in with meaningful interactions with native speakers. The program’s structure perfectly accommodated our participants’ diverse language proficiency levels. The peer tutoring component and consistent one-on-one pairings—which remained stable throughout the 10-week program—were instrumental in fostering both academic growth and personal connections.”

Students who participated in the ITALengAMERICA program met virtually every Sunday morning and immersed themselves in bilingual discussions (30 minutes in Italian, 30 minutes in English), fostering confidence and proficiency. In addition to honing their developing language skills, the one-on-one conversations had students act as peer tutors, guiding grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This collaborative approach promoted active engagement and mutual learning.

The informal, yet structured environment created an ideal space for learning, as nursing major Rosanna Hefner declared: “It was truly a special experience to be able to improve upon my Italian while teaching someone else how to speak and better improve their English. Not only were these Sunday chats a chance to improve upon my Italian, but also a learning experience about what it is like to live in Italy. Conversations each week ranged from talking about what school is like to how you celebrate different holidays. If I were given another opportunity to participate in a program like this, I would 100% do it because not only does it help me improve upon a skill that I have, but it gives me the chance to help somebody else.”

Sabrina Gatti, a visual arts major, reflected on the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere of the sessions: “The Zoom meetings with our ‘Italian pen pals’ were more relaxing and exciting than I expected. At first, I was nervous, but talking to someone from your own age group despite being from different cultures helped make it more fun.”

Throughout the program, faculty from participating institutions monitor students’ growth and engagement. Professors join breakout rooms to observe conversations and provide occasional support. Students who actively participated in the sessions were awarded a Certificate of Attendance, recognizing their commitment and achievement in this intercultural exchange.

The program’s director, Giovanni Minicucci, affirmed: “Since 2020, I have run this program fueled by the passion to connect American students with Italian students to immerse them in the language, culture, and warm welcomeness of my homeland. Growing to such an impressive number of participating institutions in 2024, the project provides students with an incomparable resource: real-world communication with native speakers. Success with any language lies in engaging in authentic practice. Communicating with native speakers brings a certain charm into our experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom. We live and breathe the language in these moments, which enables us to sharpen our skills and deepen our understanding of the culture and context behind every word. I am so grateful all our wonderful partnering professors understand the value of this and am looking forward to how the program will grow and the beautiful friendships that will develop between our students.”

At its heart, ITALengAMERICA is more than just a language program. It is an opportunity to bridge cultures, spark friendships, and forge connections that transcend geographical boundaries. Through weekly conversations, students did not just practice vocabulary and grammar—they exchanged stories, explored traditions, and discovered the shared human experience that unites us all.