Welcome to the 2023 edition of the Summer Italian Intensive Program for Early College Credit, a unique opportunity to improve your knowledge of Italian language and culture to advance your studies at both the high school and university levels, while experiencing campus life through a short-term residential experience.
This one-of-a-kind program designed for high school students on a university campus is available at Montclair State in an intensive summer format, including guest speakers and off-campus tours. In just three weeks, it prepares students to move with confidence from Italian 3 to an AP or advanced Italian class, while granting 3 college credits at a very affordable price. Now in its sixth edition, the program represents a continuous service for high school students as well as recent graduates of New Jersey and the Tri-State Area interested in consolidating their learning from the past year and getting ready for their future university experience.
The definition of the program’s content is still in progress, but confirmed information is listed below. For a general idea of the content, see 2022 edition. Check back for more, and add your email address to our listserv for updates by writing to fiorete@montclair.edu
DATES: July 10-27, 2023 (classes run from Monday through Thursday; residential students live on campus Monday night through Wed night)
TUITION: $825 (note that the flyer below reflects an old price: the 2023 edition is actually cheaper!)
LODGING: $384 (double room in a dorm)
BOARD: TBD (card to be used at campus cafeterias)
PARKING: Free in any parking areas on campus during the summer
APPLY HERE: https://www.montclair.edu/early-college-program/how-to-apply/
Do you have any questions? Please visit our FAQ PAGE, and for further inquiries contact the program coordinator, Patti Grunther (gruntherp@montclair.edu).
Taught in the target language by an experienced native speaker, the course immerses students in the language and culture with an emphasis on verbal skills which allows students to break the communication barrier. Students will be empowered to express emotions and personal opinions more comfortably while preparing for upper-level Italian courses, including the Italian AP exam. The course ITAL 240 (Intensive Italian Bridge Course) includes thematically-structured units on such topics as: immigration and Italian identity; Made in Italy (food, fashion) and sustainability, and draws from authentic materials including films, advertising, YouTube videos, music, news, etc. Overall, students benefit from an engaging college experience on a campus that boasts a dynamic Italian program and proximity to New York City for enriching cultural activities and tours. Upon completion they earn college credits that are valid at Montclair and cooperating universities.
ORGANIZER and INSTRUCTOR
Original developer, coordinator, and RA for 2023: Patti Grunther
Patti Grunther lived in Italy for more than 20 years and has been teaching Italian language and culture at Watchung Hills Regional High School since she moved back to the U.S. with her family 15 years ago. She has taught Italian at all levels of the high school system as well as English as a Second Language and Linguistics at local colleges, including Montclair State University, Kean University and Bloomfield College. She serves on the Board of the Italian American Committee on Education (IACE), co-directs the TANDEM project on creating virtual exchanges with Italian schools, and is the recipient of the 2019 AATI Distinguished Service Award in the K-12 category for her achievements in bridging high school, university and pre-professional experiences through Italian.
Program director and instructor for 2023: Teresa Fiore
Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies and Professor of Italian) is a widely published scholar; coordinator of interdisciplinary cultural programming; and the recipient of awards and grants. As a faculty member, she is strongly committed to curriculum innovation and pedagogical experimentation in dialogue with the high school system. Since 2017, for the summer program she has served as the supervisor for content and activities, the active liaison with a variety of offices on campus as well as with supporting institutions and individuals off campus. To learn about the projects she has spearheaded and coordinated over the years (and continues to support via the Inserra Endowed Chair) in order to strengthen the relationships between the HS and university systems, see here.
Intern for 2023: Francesca (Frankie) Irvin
Francesca Irvin graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in 2023. She studied Italian in all 4 years of high school, graduating with the Seal of Biliteracy. In addition, she was inducted into the Italian Honor Society in both her junior and senior years. Francesca plans on attending college in New Jersey and majoring in Education with an Italian minor. She is excited to broaden her knowledge of Italian language and culture this summer.