This presentation originates from the idea that discussing social issues in the language classroom encourages intercultural reflection and provides a more complete image of Italian culture than the one based primarily on commonly regarded attractive and often stereotypical aspects of society.The presentation focuses on methodologies and best practices that enable students to discuss social issues in the target language. By doing so, it reflects on how educators can enhance instruction when fostering discussion on social issues in Italy that have global and personal implications. Along with video and audio materials, it will provide examples of readings that have been successfully used to encourage cross-cultural reflection, in particular at the intermediate and advanced levels. The presentation includes screening of sample authentic videos, accompanying documents of task-based activities for at-home and in-class exercises, student survey results, and examples of students’ projects. Information on internet resources will also be provided. The audience will be immersed and actively involved in a collaborative research-based discussion about best practices and strategies in raising students’ cultural awareness. Participants will learn new techniques and the further application of existing technologies that enhance language instruction while increasing intercultural reflection and social responsibility. They will thus gain knowledge on how to foster class discussion of social issues, such as immigration, racism and environmental problems.

Veronica Vegna, Italian Language Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, The University of Chicago 

vvegna@uchicago.edu

Paper presented at the "Teaching Italian Conference" - Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. November, 19th, 2013