Italian Language Foundation

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Italian Language Foundation

The Italian Language Foundation is dedicated to promoting and sustaining Italian language education, especially AP Italian.

09/01/2026

From chocolate to fashion, Luisa Spagnoli’s story is one of vision, courage, and creativity. 🇮🇹✨

A pioneer of Italian female entrepreneurship, Luisa Spagnoli helped establish the Perugina chocolate company in Perugia and is closely associated with one of Italy’s most recognizable chocolates: the Bacio Perugina. 💋🍫

In 1922, Luisa is credited with creating the Bacio, the iconic chocolate and hazelnut confection wrapped in its distinctive silver-and-blue packaging and famously accompanied by a romantic message. Her ingenuity also extended to sustainability, as the original Bacio was created using chopped hazelnuts and chocolate remnants.

Luisa later turned her creativity toward fashion, pioneering the use of angora in knitwear and founding the fashion company that bears her name. Nearly a century later, her legacy continues through Nicoletta Spagnoli, who leads the fashion house today, carrying forward Luisa’s spirit of innovation while honoring its Italian roots.

From Bacio Perugina to Italian fashion, Luisa Spagnoli transformed creativity into a lasting legacy. 🇮🇹❤️

08/30/2026

If you have ever traveled through Italy and stumbled upon a small town filled with folding tables, food stands, music, strings of lights, and what seems like the entire local population gathered in one place, chances are you have discovered a sagra. Read Francesca Montillo of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures recent blog about sagre - festivals deeply connected to Italy’s agricultural traditions, regional foods, changing seasons, and, perhaps most importantly, the communities that organize them - at the following link: https://loom.ly/XGbRYqM

08/25/2026

August 24th is National Eat a Peach Day! Did you know that Italy is the world's second-largest peach producer, following China? 🍑

Peach Bellini is a yummy Italian-inspired drink. Amy Riolo offers a delicious recipe on her website! Try it out today to celebrate: https://loom.ly/SUawQDA

08/19/2026

In her latest blog for the ILF, AP Italian teacher Roberta Pennasilico shares her experience teaching American students in Naples, Italy. Her students come from diverse backgrounds, but studying Italian in Italy gives them an opportunity to use the language beyond the classroom and engage directly with Italian culture and everyday life.

Roberta also shares her perspective on the new 2026 AP Italian exam and how her students benefit from the program.

Read the full blog at ItalianLanguageFoundation.org/BLOG.

08/05/2026

Hopping on this trend to remind you about the benefits of joining the ILF’s Emerging Leaders Council — featuring some photos from recent events like this spring’s Pasta Making Class, past annual Galas, and our private C. Di Palo Wine Tasting!

Are you a young professional with a passion for Italian language and culture? Are you looking to expand your network and impact? Join the ELC!

The ELC is a network of young college graduates who come together to celebrate Italian culture, mentor students, build community, and grow professionally.

✅ You don’t need to speak or be of Italian heritage to join, and membership is free!
✅ Opportunities to mentor and network
✅ Enjoy fun social events in NYC and beyond

Questions? Email us at: [email protected]

Ready to join? Visit www.ILF.org!

07/31/2026

What if the secret to happiness wasn't doing more, but worrying less? ☀️🇮🇹

In her latest blog, Francesca Montillo of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures reflects on one of Italy's greatest lessons: don't sweat the small stuff. Whether it's a delayed train, a long lunch that turns into an afternoon of conversation, or plans that change unexpectedly, Italians have a remarkable way of embracing life's imperfections. Read Francesca's latest blog, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff – Italy Edition, here: https://loom.ly/hrGyB_Y

07/29/2026

Why study Italian?

"Italian is the language of art, music, fashion, design, international commerce, finance, economics and technology. The culture of inventors, scientists, mathematicians, musicians, explorers, poets, playwrights, and world-renowned athletes. Let Italian be your passport to the world and global citizenship, and your window into diverse perspectives, career paths, and passions.

Through a rich variety of courses, activities outside the classroom, and programs for study abroad, you can attain advanced language skills and intercultural competencies that will render your career profile unique. Whatever profession you choose, the ability to engage, interact, and appreciate the people, products, practices, and perspectives of other cultures will set you apart because it will endow you with the rich combination of both analytical and creative skills that employers avidly seek.

An Italian major enables you to establish linguistic fluency, important for jobs in many fields in our global economy. In addition to language skills, students who major in Italian gain many other skills that are important in today’s job market, including communication, negotiation, flexibility, adaptability, and multicultural understanding."

This wonderful description of the benefits of studying Italian was adopted from Indiana University’s Department of French and Italian's webpage: https://loom.ly/TfnAOU0

07/27/2026

July is peak summer in the Dolomites, when the mountains are at their most accessible and vibrant. 🌿⛰️

Long daylight hours open up high-altitude alpine meadows in full bloom, glacial lakes at their clearest turquoise, and an extensive network of hiking and via ferrata routes across the Southern Limestone Alps. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 for their exceptional geology and dramatic landscapes, the Dolomites are made up of nine distinct mountain systems.

Whether you're trekking ridgelines, cycling mountain passes, or stopping at lakes like Braies or Carezza, this region reveals a striking blend of natural history and outdoor adventure.

Where in Italy would you spend a summer day? 🇮🇹

07/25/2026

Time for an Italian Summer Dessert Poll! 🍋 Which classic Italian dessert would you choose: granita, gelato, tiramisù, or biancomangiare? Cast your vote in the comments. ⬇️

07/20/2026

📚🇮🇹 Have a story to tell? Become a published contributor for the Italian Language Foundation!

We're looking for short blogs from students, teachers, Emerging Leaders, and anyone who loves the Italian language and culture.

🎓 Students: How has learning Italian shaped your life? Has it strengthened your connection to your heritage or opened doors you never expected?

🍎 Teachers: What excites you most about the new AP Italian course? How do you hope it will impact your students?

🇮🇹 Italian Americans: What family tradition, memory, or experience has most influenced your connection to your heritage?

✈️ Travelers: What moment in Italy changed your perspective on the country or its people?

💼 Professionals: How has the Italian language or culture influenced your career or personal journey?

🌍 Everyone: What does Italy, the Italian language, or Italian culture mean to you?

Selected submissions will be featured on the ILF website and social media.

Learn more and submit your blog at ItalianLanguageFoundation.org/BLOG

Address

28 Maple Place, PO Box 112
Manhasset, NY
11030

Website

http://www.italianlanguagefoundation.org/

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