Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when are the Italian lessons held?
Lessons take place on Tuesdays from 16:00 to 17:30 at the Trudo Basisschool in Strijp.
How many lessons are there in a school year?
There are 35 lessons per school year.
What age group do you teach?
We currently have two age groups: children aged 4 and 5 in the younger group (children in Group 1 and 2 in the Dutch system) and children aged 6 and older (children in Group 3 and above in the Dutch system).
The youngest children will learn in an age-appropriate play-based setting, increasing vocabulary and comprehension skills. The children aged 6 and older will learn to read and write in Italian (only IF they already have a basis in reading and writing in their day school language, usually Dutch).
Which teaching method do you follow?
Our experienced teachers adopt the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) method. The CLIL method develops language by exploring the areas of history, geography, and science in Italian. CLIL has been shown to be an effective method with multilingual children not only because children expand their knowledge, but they also develop a positive attitude towards learning.
What are the materials used for the lessons?
Separate curricula are provided for 4-5 year-olds and students over age 6, which includes grammar exercises and homework. Theater and poetry lessons are given monthly to improve pronunciation and communication skills.
What does the lesson program include?
Lesson plans will include activities that allow children to take an active role in their learning, while covering essential curriculum. For example, the youngest children might learn new words while taking turns pulling objects out of a bag. Children developing Italian literacy might write a letter about their weekend to their cousin in Italy. Older children might discuss a current event in Italy or be asked to talk about their family's region of Italy.
How did the idea of an Italian school for children in Eindhoven come about?
A few mothers came together with the dream of helping their children maintain a solid linguistic and cultural connection with the country of origin. They wanted to give Italian-speaking children in Eindhoven the wonderful chance to formally develop and gain confidence in their home language.
What is the goal of your school?
Our goal is to help children develop formal skills in their mother tongue, which can have real cognitive benefits for multilingual children. Formal skills are usually not developed in the home setting.
Where does the name “La Lampadina” come from?
Eindhoven is they city of the light bulb! It only makes sense to name our school "the little light bulb."
Who is it managed by?
The Italian course is facilitated by the Eindhoven Italian School "La Lampadina" (see About page for information about the team). The course subsidized by the Stichting ESI (Ente Scuola Italiana nei Paesi Bassi: CORSI DI LINGUA E CULTURA ITALIANA - L 153/1971, Course of Italian language and culture).
What is ESI and how does it collaborate with you?
The Italian course facilitated by La Lampadina is officially recognized and subsidized by the Italian ministry of foreign affairs; our curricula, materials, and teachers are approved by Ente Scuola Italiana nei Paesi Bassi.
We speak Italian at home. Isn't that enough?
Developing formal skills in the mother tongue can have real cognitive benefits for multilingual children. Formal skills are usually not developed in the home setting.
The type of language spoken at home falls under what is called "BICS" or Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills. This is language needed in social situations.
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) refers to formal academic learning. This not only includes learning vocabulary, but it also includes skills such as comparing, classifying, synthesizing, evaluating, and inferring. The Italian lessons will develop these skills.
Why does the school communicate in English?
We want to reach as many families as possible. Not all parents of Italian-speaking children are fluent in Italian or Dutch, so this is why we have chosen English for our website and general emails. Feel free to contact us in Italian or Dutch!
Where can I find more information about heritage language (mother tongue) education?
Check out the resources on the HLSE website.