Speaking Italian is the key to almost everything: a better job, the EU long-term residence permit (which requires level A2), citizenship (level B1), meetings at your children’s school. Among Bangladeshi women, 85.4% of whom are economically inactive, language is often the first barrier to leaving the house and finding work.
CPIA schools
The Provincial Centres for Adult Education are public schools offering literacy and Italian courses for foreigners, from beginner up to A2, as well as courses for the lower-secondary diploma. Regular enrolment usually closes in mid-October, but late applications may be accepted if places remain, so it is worth asking anyway. You take a placement test at the start.
Other options
- Volunteer-run Italian schools, often free, with evening or weekend classes.
- Municipal courses for newcomers.
- Free online courses, useful for practising between lessons.
The A2 test
For the long-term permit you can take the Italian test organised by Prefectures or present a recognised certificate. A lower-secondary diploma or a CPIA A2 certificate can count as proof.
A tip
Many courses offer childcare or women-only classes: ask at your local CPIA. Studying with other mothers from the neighbourhood helps you keep going.
