The most remarkable international schools follow an impressive curriculum that encourages students to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers. They ensure that no student remains deprived of quality education. These schools assist the students in constructing their own career paths and becoming trendsetting professionals of their respective domains.

A school that follows a diversified curriculum with the objective of providing students with the best educational facilities is Dilit (Divulgazione Lingua Italiana). It was founded by a small group of young Italian teachers in 1974 and was officially authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education. It was one of the first language schools in Italy to teach Italian as a foreign language. Throughout the years, it has become one of the most prestigious Italian language schools in the country, widely appreciated for its innovative teaching method.

The school, a five-storeyed Liberty-style villa, has 16 classrooms, a cafeteria, two terraces, and a nice little garden. It employs 20 people, of which 14 are full-time Italian teachers. The school is situated in the center of Rome, just a short walk from the central railway station and conveniently placed for transport to every area of the city.

Prioritizing Students’ Learning

Dilit’s teaching method is based on the principle that each student is seen as an individual with specific competencies and needs. The teachers put these competencies and needs in play by organizing teaching activities where the student is seen as a researcher of the language and not merely as a recipient of information given by the teacher. At the same time, considerable time is spent on peer work with a constant exchange of ideas among the students. This implies that the course objectives and learning outcomes are the natural results of a process that involves all students in a fruitful and constructive way.

The Forces which Steer Dilit

Behind the success of the school, there is not a single person, but a group of people who, with passion and determination, have put in practice the dream of creating a unique school with the highest-level teaching quality and a welcoming working and study environment.

Over the years, it has achieved many results: a research department has been set up, and in-house training has become an integral part of teachers’ working hours. Textbooks have been written, and the school conducts an International Seminar for L2 teachers every year where participants share their experiences and experiment with new teaching activities. Authorities have created a teacher training department, which trains over 5,000 people from all over the world.

The school has achieved quality marks and has won numerous awards as the best Italian language school. Over 70,000 students from all over the world have populated the school’s courses, becoming part of its rich history.

Erudite Leadership

The personality under whose guidance Dilit achieved noteworthy landmarks is none other than Tiziana Di Dedda, the Director. She has been associated with the school for almost 50 years. She is a very energetic professional who brings positive vibes to the table. She has great knowledge of the educational sector and focuses on nurturing students and transforming them into able professionals of tomorrow.

Dilit’s Noble Mission

The school’s goal is to offer, in a multi-ethnic and multicultural context, an environment and atmosphere where every student feels welcome and the object of the care and attention of all the school’s staff. With the support of a constantly adjourned teaching methodology, it wants to make sure that the students experience their study as an integral part of their personal, intellectual, and cultural development.

All services and activities offered by the school, from teaching to leisure time activities and the accommodation facilities, are aimed at the well-being of each and every student.

Going Beyond the Curriculum   

Apart from the Italian language courses, the school offers a variety of activities such as walks in the city to visit Rome’s wonderful streets, squares, fountains, archaeological sites, historical buildings, etc., as well as seminars on Italian History of Art, Home-Cooking, Opera, etc. Moreover, it organizes cocktail parties and excursions outside the city. All these activities offer the students an insight into Italian culture and a great opportunity to practice the language outside the class, and an opportunity to socialize.

A Mountain of Achievements

Throughout its illustrious journey in the education sector, Dilit has made many noteworthy accomplishments. It is a part of the International House World Organization, which includes over 120 language schools in 20 countries all over the world. It is also a member of  IALC (International Association of Language Centres) and ASILS (Associazione Scuole d’Italiano come Lingua Seconda). The school has been the winner of several awards promoted by renowned organizations in the sector.

It is also an examination center for the CELI examinations of Perugia University and for the CILS examinations of Siena University. Furthermore, Dilit is well-known and appreciated in Italy and abroad for its Teacher Training Department accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education and for the publication of course books and other language teaching materials.

Facing the Pandemic Head-On

Prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dilit had already been offering online courses. Obviously, the demand for such courses increased following travel restrictions in most countries. As a result, the school has reorganized its online structure and now offers a wide variety of online courses which deal not only with the language but also with significant aspects of Italian cultural and social life.

As far as hygiene and safety precautions are concerned, it follows all the relative governmental procedures addressed to the educational sector. It administers the measurement of the body’s temperature when entering the school, the mandatory wearing of a mask, the frequent use of sanitizer for both hands and furniture, and the respect of the minimum distance of at least one meter.

After the crisis caused by the Covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent reduction in student numbers, the school has come up with a new organizational chart that optimizes to the utmost the skills and competencies of the teaching and non-teaching staff. With this in mind and an increase in the marketing activities organized by the school, the authorities aim to increase the participation in study fairs, international seminars, webinars, etc. Team Dilit hopes to reach pre-pandemic numbers in a relatively short time with the aim of increasing its student intake by 25% in a couple of years.

The Career Dynamic

Dilit’s primary objective is to improve the language level of the students who come to the school. With its methods, it encourages students to ask questions, to imagine what people are saying, and to put their limited knowledge of the language in use. In other words, Dilit nurture students to be the protagonist of their story rather than an observer. The management believes that this attitude could be beneficial in any person’s career path.