Italian proficiency opportunities

Against the backdrop of greater business interaction, cultural ties and growing tourism, careers in the Italian language have become attractive to Indian youth Although recently Indo-Italian diplomatic relations have soured over the marines issue, the two ancient civilizations have a history of trade relations going back 2,000 years. Today, the bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed Euro 8.52 billion (Rs.59,640 crore), and 140 large Italian companies have their footprint in India including big names like Fiat Auto, Piaggio, Kinetic, Impreglio, Perfetti, Isagro (Asia) Agrochemicals, SAI India, with many more waiting in the wings. Italy is among India’s top five trading partners in the EU and cultural ties between the two countries are growing, with an ever-increasing number of Indian tourists visiting Italy and vice versa. Against this backdrop of greater business and cultural relations and flourishing tourism, it’s no wonder careers flowing from Italian language learning have become attractive and are gaining currency with Indian youth. The most popular Italian language programmes are offered by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) under the auspices of the Italian consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Goa and by the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Delhi. The study programme known as CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages covers learning, teaching, assessment) and follows the guidelines used to teach foreign languages across Europe. The language learning programmes offered at four levels — beginner, intermediate, advanced and diploma — are scheduled for morning, weekend and evening batches. Faculty members are native Italian teachers who teach vocabulary, grammar and conversational Italian. Exams are held for each level and students completing the full programme are awarded a diploma certificate. Programmes offered at each level are of three months’ duration. Several Indian universities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, JNU (School of Languages) and Jamia Millia also offer diploma, certificate and degree programmes in Italian language and literature. The admission eligibility requirements differ but most degree programmes are open to graduates in any discipline. Course duration varies from six months to three years. With Italian businesses gaining a foothold in India, graduates with proficiency in the language can work as teachers in academia, interpreters and translators vitally needed by Italian companies operating in India, international organisations and the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Translators, foreign language teachers and interpreters should preferably have a bachelor’s degree, usually followed by a postgraduate qualification in Italian. Full-time job opportunities are limited but there’s a huge demand for freelancers, written work and oral translators. A specialist translator or interpreter should not only be fluent in several languages but should also have a working knowledge of law, science, music, computers, technology etc. Proficiency in Italian is also useful for employment as tourist guides and in the tourism departments of government and private travel agencies. Travel agencies hire the services of linguists as escorts for tourist groups to coordinate their travel plans and arrangements and make their tours successful and enjoyable. Hotels and airlines also look out for multi-lingual individuals.…