By Roberta Pennasilico
My AP Italian students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are fully American, others are Italian‑American, and many are students of other nationalities who have lived in Italy for several years or have been exposed to Italian language and culture through sports, Italian schools, or daily life. What they all have in common is that they are children of civilian or military personnel working for the Department of Defense in Naples, Italy. This diversity enriches classroom discussions and creates a vibrant learning environment.
I have been teaching AP Italian since 2012, and throughout these years I have seen how meaningful this course can be, especially in a place like Naples. One of the greatest advantages of teaching AP Italian here is that students are immersed in the reality of Italy. They can practice the language with Italian friends, engage with authentic media, and hear how Italians really speak in everyday situations. This exposure helps students move beyond classroom Italian and develop true communicative competence.
I am very excited about the new format of the AP Italian exam starting in 2026. I am always open to change and enjoy adapting my original lessons to align with the new expectations. I am sure that the new format will keep being an effective way to evaluate students’ levels of performance in Advanced Italian.
Although my students generally attend college in the United States rather than in Italy, many continue studying Italian at the university level. The AP Italian exam often grants them college credit, and this achievement is a great source of pride and motivation for them.
Roberta Pennasilico teaches Italian at Naples Middle High School in Italy and has served as an AP reader and committee member. She is an author of textbooks and didactic articles, a member of AATI and ILF, an experienced workshop presenter on effective Italian teaching strategies, a former Middlebury Summer School instructor, and enjoys creating and sharing original lessons with colleagues in the United States.