5 TIPS FOR FAMILIES WHO’D LIKE TO RELOCATE IN ITALY
Italy is increasingly becoming a popular choice for international families, thanks to its great weather, rich history, beautiful beaches and relaxed lifestyle.
Based on my years of conversations with international families in Italy, I’m excited to share some tips to help you navigate life here smoothly and make the transition easier for all the families who'd like to relocate in Italy.
5 tips for families who are planning to relocate to Italy
While advice can vary significantly between moving to a small town in southern Italy versus a city like Milan or Rome, these tips will be useful no matter where you choose to settle.
- Download WhatsApp - it’s essential for staying connected in Italy. This app allows you to send free messages, create groups and join local communities. It’s widely used for communicating with school parents, arranging meetings with friends, and joining mum groups to share local events and activities.
- Enroll in an Italian course - Before relocating take a basic Italian course. While English is common In the big cities, it’s less so in small villages, especially in southern Italy. Being prepared with at least basic Italian will help you navigate various situations. This advice applies to children too—they may learn faster, but a head start in the language is always beneficial.
- As a language specialist, I would recommend having a plan to maintain your native language(s) after relocating to Italy. If you stay long term, it’s important that your children continue speaking your mother tongue even as they become fluent in Italian. Remember, Italy is still largely a monolingual country.
- One of the biggest concerns for families is enrolling their children in school. If you plan to attend a local school, enrollment is only available in February for the following September, and you need to have residency in Italy. This can be a complex process, so I recommend contacting the local school in advance for all the necessary information. I also offer consultations to support families in choosing bilingual and international school and will provide more information about those options in (this article) Hyperlink
- Be aware of the cultural differences at the park. Italian children are quite energetic and parents usually don't apologize for their behavior. While this is common, you don’t have to accept it. Feel free to gently address any issues with the other parents.
Extra 5 Tips for families who'd like to relocate in Italy
Here are five priority tips for families who'd like to relocate in Italy:
- Dress in Layers: Italian weather can change throughout the day, so dress your children in layers. Italians tend to overdress their kids.
- Join Facebook Groups: Look for expat groups, local mums groups, and multilingual communities in your city to share experiences and seek advice. Build Your Network: Create a support network of local and international families. Simply Our Child can help you in the process.
- Communicate Openly Discuss the relocation process with your children using age appropriate language. It's a challenging but exciting journey.Provide Emotional Support: Offer daily love and emotional support to help your children adjust smoothly.
Follow Simply Our Child page and join our events for international families. With the number of international families growing,we are always looking for contributors.
SCHOOL OPTIONS IN ITALY FOR INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN
If you are an international family in Italy or planning to relocate, this article helps you navigate the various school options: local schools, Italian schools with strong English programs, bilingual schools, and international schools: local school, Italian school with powerful english, bilingual school and international one.
When choosing a school, consider these factors:
- Distance from home (even 2km can take 30 minutes by car)
- Cost
- Benefit for the bilingualism or multilingualism
- Academic program
- Your children’s talents
- School facilities
As a bilingualism consultant, I emphasize the importance of bilingualism, but remember, the best choice is what works more for your family. If possible, visit the school in person or contact them.
Types of Schools: school choice in Italy
- International Schools: These schools offer up to 6 hours of Italian per week and provide certification for English as a first language, which is beneficial if you plan to move outside Italy.
- Bilingual Schools: The weekly program includes 20 hours in English and 20 in Italian, with certification in both languages as first languages.
- Italian with Enhanced English: These schools offer fewer than 10 hours per week of English per week, and provide certification for English as a second language. If you plan to move abroad, your children may need to pass an English test.
- Local Schools: Enrollment is only open in February and must be done online. English instruction begins at age 6, with 1-2 hours per week, except for schools with the CLIL project, which offers 4 hours per week.
Finding the Best Fit for Your Family
English-Speaking Families:If you can homeschool for English, many online resources can help. Starting with the Jolly Phonics method at age of three can guide you in homeschooling during primary school. This approach can save money and be a rewarding experience, but if your children need to attend an English-speaking school later, they’ll need to pass an English test.
Non-English Speaking Families: If you plan to raise a multilingual family, focus on reading and writing in all languages when your children turn six. Bilingual or international schools can help manage the e English component.
Budget Considerations: school choice in Italy
International and bilingual schools can be expensive. If you plan to move abroad or want your children to study abroad, these schools are crucial, especially if English is not your native language. Consider how confident you want your children to be in Italian, and how long you plan to stay in Italy.
Conclusion
Choosing the right school can be challenging, but I hope this clarifies the options in Italy. For more tips and updates, follow me on social media.