Indicator history

There are no initiatives at the ministerial level regarding the teaching of the mother langiage. The teaching of migrant’s mother language relies on the Third Sector, for example Ismu Foundation’s projects, and also on  migrant associations. New minorities generated by immigration are not recognised as linguistic minorities and as such, do not enjoy any form of collective protection but only the individual protection deriving from the principle of non-discrimination.

Regarding linguistic minorities, the framework law - Law 482 (15.12.1999) - on the protection of historic linguistic minorities states that  Italian is the official language and at the same, provides for the right to education in minority languages for protected minorities. At the nursery level, it is possible to have all activities in the minority language while at the elementary and middle school levels, teaching of a minority language, customs and traditions of the local community as subjects is guaranteed. Teaching of a minority language at this level is offered on request by pupils’ parents while the teaching of customs and traditions is organised and offered to the entire class within the decisional autonomy granted schools.

Sources: Italy / Law 482 (15.12.1999). http://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/99482l.htm (16/09/2009).

F. Palermo (2006): ‘Le minoranze linguistiche in Italia dopo la legge generale di tutela’, EURAC Bolzano/Bozen

Cospe, Contribution to the FRA Annual Report 2010 Italy, October 2009

http://www.cirdi.org/studi-e-ricerche/raxen-rapporto-annuale-2010