Learning Italian is not only important for daily living, but it is also difficult for anyone to be accepted into a community without knowing that community's language. My students have told me they sometimes experience discrimination when trying to practice Italian in their daily lives. Most people smile and compliment me when I try out a new phrase in the grocery store or when I'm buying lunch. However, my students say people sometimes respond angrily and ask why they would be in Italy without knowing Italian when they try to practice Italian. The learning center I volunteer at offers Italian classes, but these are not as rigorous (thorough) as students sometimes need them to be.
My students also have a strong need for a community and a support network. People are social by nature and therefore need a community. Unfortunately, many of my students fled their countries alone and their families live far away. They didn't have a community when they move to Rome and having a support system is very important when you face new struggles. Moving to a new country can be an overwhelming and isolating experience for anyone. Moving is especially overwhelming and isolating for someone who needs to defend their right to stay in the country when they arrive, doesn't have a real home or doesn't have a job.
Learning centers, like the one I volunteer at, can serve as a sort of community. I try to get to know the students, respectfully ask about their interests and their cultures, and offer support and friendship. In class we don't always have time to share personal struggles, nor is it always the right context.
