President Daniel L. Stabile, Past President Giuseppe (Joe) Lupo, Dr. Maria Wilmeth, Mrs. Cesarina Horing, and Professor Emeritus, Roberto Severino, and Prof. Luigi De Luca were active representatives participating at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Convention in San Diego, California. Dr. Lupo chaired several workshop sessions and President Stabile, Dr. Maria Wilmeth, Mrs. Cesarina Horing. Professor Luigi De Luca and Professor Severino spoke at several workshops. Over 6,000 educators participated in the ACTFL Conference.
In addition to the workshop leadership the National COPILAS team operated and staffed a booth in cooperation with the U.S. Enti Gestori (the Official Italian Cultural Institutions recognized by the Italian Government) answering questions and providing information to hundreds of language teachers about strategies and techniques to develop and sustain strong Italian language programs in our schools throughout the United States.
The National COPILAS Team worked closely with Professor Luigi De Sanctis, Director of the Education Office, Italian Embassy, Washington, DC, Nicola Faganello, Consulate General of Italy, Los Angeles, and Prof. Anna Chiaratti, Director of the Education Office, Italian Consulate of Los Angeles.
National COPILAS, NIAF, Italian Trade Commission and the Consulate General of Italy, Los Angeles hosted a dinner honoring teachers of Italian language and Culture.
Dr. Stabile summed up the conference by stating, “This excellent world languages convention provided National COPILAS with a springboard illuminating our capacity to serve as the key resource body assisting teachers, students and organizations throughout the United States promoting ourItalian language. In addition to supplying interactive resources for teachers and students on our website, the need emerged to explore:
(1) the role of catalyst and clearing house for certification and teaching resources;
(2) reviewing options and alternatives to the Advanced Placement Examination;
(3) accelerating the development of communication infrastructure with all Enti Gestori, USA;
(4) expanding the NATIONAL COPILAS membership to be totally inclusive;
(5) Appointment of regional board members and developing service hubs in those locations along with the Enti Gestori.
Those substantive factors emerged through discussions with organizational leaders, teachers and professors attending the conference. Our focus will continue to be advancing our Italian Language in Schools, Colleges, Universities, and local community language programs as well as applying data driven decision making.”