Welcome To
The Italian Language Foundation, Inc.
Promoting and Supporting Italian Language Education
What Do We Do?
Support the growth of Advanced Placement Program in Italian
ILF Student Members are eligible for the Awards for Excellence, Internships, the Commitment 2 Excellence Program and more.
Train and support teachers of Italian, especially AP Italian
ILF Teacher Members are offered free professional development workshops and webinars and eligible for the Teacher Recognition Awards.
Promote Italian Language study in the United States & the world
Supports the study of Italian language and culture at the highest level in schools and universities throughout the U.S. and across the world.
FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS
In Memoriam
The Italian Language Foundation mourns the passing of its beloved friend and board member,
Alfred Catalanotto.
Alfred was a devoted husband, father and brother and a successful businessman. Proud of his Italian heritage, Alfred lead the Columbus Day Parade as Parade Chairman with the Columbus Citizen’s Foundation for 13 years.
Alfred approached life with determination, a strong work ethic, kindness, compassion and a wonderful sense of humor.
Alfred Catalanotto inspired his family and friends and he will be remembered forever with love.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR
THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION’S
FUNDRAISER HONORING
Barbara Naclerio
&
Christina Fiorito
Barbara Naclerio
Christina Fiorito
Barbara Naclerio is the esteemed owner of two renowned Bronx catering establishments, The Eastwood Manor and Maestro’s Caterers. Throughout the years, she and her late husband shared a deep commitment to philanthropy, generously supporting institutions such as Sacred Heart University and Villanova. In recognition of their contributions and community impact, they were honored at the 2014 Columbus Day Parade.
Christina Fiorito is a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Room at Montefiore Hospital, married to Anthony Fiorito and a proud mother of two, Luca and Stella. After studying Italian in college, spending a year abroad, and many summers in Amalfi, she became fluent and now passes that gift on to her children from birth. As a proud Italian-American and member of the Westchester Italian American Foundation, she is passionate about sharing the beauty of the Italian language and culture with others.
Presentation to the 2025 Giambelli Culinary Award Recipients:
Angelo Brocato Ice Cream and Confectionery Inc.
Andrew Cotto
DeCicco & Sons
Francesca Montillo
Pogliani Select
Sergio’s Ristorante
Stresa Restaurant
Thursday, June 26, 2025
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
$375 – General Ticket
$100 – Emerging Leaders Council Member Ticket
$1,000 – Fellowship Sponsorship (One Semester)
$2,000 – Full Year Fellowship Sponsorship
$2,500 – Cocktail Party Co-Sponsorship
$5,000 – Cocktail Party Full Sponsorship
$10,000 – Dinner Service Sponsorship
Raffle tickets for exciting prizes are available for purchase here.
Awards for Excellence
We are offering students an Award for Excellence of $150 for a score of 4 and $250 for a score of 5 on the AP Italian exam. Plus, teachers of AP Italian whose students achieve a score of 4 or 5 on the exam will receive $100 per student who apply for the Award for Excellence. This gift may be applied to the purchase of materials or cultural experiences for the students of AP Italian in that teacher’s class(es).
For students to be eligible, you must:
- Be an ILF Student Member. Not a member? Join here now: Student Registration Form
- Have a teacher of Italian who is an ILF Teacher Member. They may join here if they are not a member already: Teacher Registration Form
- Provide your 2025 AP Italian exam score
- Have received a 4 or 5 on the AP Italian exam
- Provide proof of registration in Italian language course(s) in your freshman year of college in the United States
For teachers to be eligible, you must:
- Be an ILF Teacher Member. Not a member? Join here now: Teacher Registration Form
- Have at least 1 student complete their application for the Awards for Excellence with the criteria above.
- Provide names of eligible students, your school, grade level, email address, and mailing address.
NEW PEN PAL PROJECT WITH ITALY!
The Italian Language Foundation is delighted to participate in a blog writing exchange between American high school students of Italian and students attending high schools in Italy.
Each month, students write a blog focusing on a designated topic.
All blogs will be posted on the ILF website and social media. Students must be registered ILF Student Members, and their teachers must be registered ILF Teacher Members to participate in this project. Please follow these simple directions:
Blogs must be submitted to this Google folder following our blog template. The monthly blog topics and requirements can be found here.
Blogs submitted by American and Italian high school students will be posted on the website of The Italian Language Foundation and also on our social media platforms. Blogs are to be submitted in Word document format, please.
Send all blogs to this email address: [email protected]
2025 Schedule:
January – Which American and/or Italian fashion designers do you particularly like? Describe some current American and/or Italian fashion trends.
February: Contemporary American and Italian literature: who are the authors that you like? Which books of fiction or non-fiction have impacted your life?
March: Comparing American design in architecture, furniture, interior design with that of the Italians. Who are the Italian designers whom you admire?
April: Art/architecture – classic and contemporary – Italian and American
May: Technology – what new technologies are being developed, or have already been developed by Italian engineers, scientists, IT experts, etc.? Mention the technologies that you believe will greatly impact your life.
The Emerging Leaders Council of the Italian Language Foundation had a great time at their recent fundraiser! Led by Founding Member Marianna Cuomo Maier of @GrataWellness at the iconic @DaNicoRistorante in Little Italy, NYC, the 2025 event was a beautiful celebration of Italian language and culture. Are you a postgraduate young professional with a passion for Italian? You don’t need to be Italian to love Italy and its culture. Join the ELC and help us continue our mission! Visit ItalianLanguageFoundation.org/Emerging-Leaders-Council for information on how to join.
Photo Credit: Madison Goldman
ANNOUNCING THE CLAIRE GAUDIANI MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
Applications for the Fall, 2025 semester will be announced soon.
Please wait for the announcement to be made.
Become an ILF Student Member (it’s free): Sign up here!
- Send the following to [email protected]:
- Name of teacher who is an ILF Teacher Member. (Professor not a Teacher Member? They can register here: Teacher Member Sign-Up)
- A letter of recommendation from your college professor of Italian
- A letter of recommendation from a leader of a volunteer organization you are affiliated with as a tutor or other volunteer
- A blog (250 words or less) describing your experience studying Italian, traveling to Italy, visiting Italian art exhibits, concerts, restaurants, specialty markets, etc. – please also send one or two photos to go with your blog!
- Your official transcript from your most recent semester
- Proof of enrollment in an Italian class for Spring 2025
Enrico Fermi – ILF College Fellowship: Student required to be enrolled in a college Italian language class and also in science and/or math classes, including pre-med, scientific research, etc. Fellowship is $1,000 per semester, renewable for up to 3 years.
The Claire Gaudiani Memorial Fellowship – Student required to be enrolled in a college Italian language class, together with other academic courses. A minor or major concentration in Italian is not required. Fellowship is $1,000, renewable for up to 3 years.
Fred Kuwornu – ILF College Fellowship: Student required to be of African-American heritage and enrolled in a college Italian language class, together with other academic courses. A minor or major concentration in Italian is not required. Fellowship is $1,000, renewable for up to 3 years.
For more information on The Claire Gaudiani Memorial Fellowship program, visit our Student Page.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SPONSOR THE FELLOWSHIP WITH A NAMING OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE TO:
[email protected]
The Italian Language Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the
2024 TEACHER RECOGNITION AWARDS!
Four outstanding teachers from across the United States, two from the high school level and two from universities, have been recognized for their commitment to excellence in the teaching of Italian. Please join us in congratulating:
INTERNSHIPS for ILF college student members
Did you know that, as a college-level Student Member of The Italian Language Foundation, you receive exclusive access to internship opportunities? We have partnerships with companies that are looking for students like you! So, if you are a college student in the U.S. and a Student Member of The Italian Language Foundation, send the following to [email protected]:
- Your most recent transcript
- Your resumé
- A recommendation from your Italian teacher (professor) who is a Teacher Member of the ILF. If your teacher (professor) is not an ILF Teacher Member, please encourage her/him to join the ILF as soon as possible.
- A brief, personal statement describing your interest in studying Italian in college and a description of your future career plans.
Once we receive your complete application, we will share with interested businesses, organizations, etc., and they will reach out to you if you qualify!
MENTORS for ILF high school and college student members
Are you a high school or college-level student of Italian?
The Italian Language Foundation (ILF) offers Mentors who provide guidance on resume writing, applying for colleges and internships, and interview techniques in order to prepare you for success.
ILF Mentors are postgraduate professionals who are members of the ILF Emerging Leaders Council. Mentorship is free of charge.
You must be a Student Member of The Italian Language Foundation to be eligible for a Mentor.
Not an ILF Student Member? Please register here: Student Member registration
ILF Student Members can request a Mentor here: Request a Mentor
Our Latest Blog Posts
Recent Posts
- L’importanza Dell’apprendimento Delle Lingue June 5, 2025
- The Importance of Learning Languages June 5, 2025
- La Mia Vita Attraverso I Continenti May 28, 2025
- My Life Journey Across Continents May 28, 2025
- Italian TV Shows May 15, 2025
Thank you to the Giambelli Foundation for its support!
ILF Is Proud To Announce It Has Reached Its Matching Goal And Received A Grant From The Giambelli Foundation. We Are Grateful For Their Continued Support Of ILF’s Mission And Programs