Italy Reads is a community-based English language reading and cultural exchange program that collaborates with 200 Italian high school teachers from over 60 high schools across Italy. Each year, one classic work of American literature is selected to read together.
Italy Reads began in 2009 as a National Endowment for the Arts "Big Read Rome" and the great success and demand for this program has now brought us to its 14th year as Italy Reads. The program benefits from the continued support from the United States Embassy to Italy, the English Theatre of Rome and John Cabot University.
Raymond Carver (1938-1988) was and American poet and short-story writer. Born in Clatskanie, Oregon, Carver grew up in Yakima, Washington. Married and a father by the age of 20, Carver earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Humboldt State College. It was while at Humboldt that he published his first short-story and poem. After attending the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he returned to the Northwest where he worked at a variety of jobs. Carver’s stories tell about the lower-middle-class lives with which he was familiar. The themes featured in his work What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981) include the nature of love, love and violence, and the failure of language.
We welcome Italian high school teachers, JCU student volunteer mentors, Italian high school students and English language book club leaders to join in our read of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver.
Teachers: Register here to receive details and include your students in this year's activities.
Teacher Training Workshops (online and in-person)
These workshops are aimed at providing the basis for teaching this book and an opportunity for teachers to share ideas and network. Teachers (Italy Reads Scholars) who attended the Professional Development Course develop and present Sample Lesson Plans prepared in culmination of the Professional Development Course held each spring. Online workshops are recorded and made available to teachers who register to participate in the program. Teachers of all subjects are welcome!
Professional Development Course (online)
This course, an annual appointment with teachers, is offered free of charge each Spring term in preparation for the subsequent academic year. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion for 30 hours of Professional Development. Qualified applicants to attend the course are teachers of English Language and Culture and their English-speaking colleagues in a high school in Italy who plan to include their students in the Italy Reads Program the following academic year. The outcome of this course is Sample Lessons prepared by these teachers and material to support all teachers and will be posted on Italy Reads Resources for Teachers.
Please note that participation in this course is not obligatory for participation in the Italy Reads program. All material is in English. Many teachers of English Language and Literature collaborate with their non English-speaking colleagues for greater interdisciplinary approaches to the study of American literature.
Italy Reads 2026-2027: Professional Development Course will take place online, January - May 2026. The book details of the course will be announced here in November. This course is in English, and free of charge. Teachers completing the course will receive a Certificate of Completion for 30 hours of Professional Development. High School Teachers in Italy of any subject are invited to join this course.
Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l'Orientamento (PCTO) for Italian high school students
Activities with Italy Reads can be certified in accordance with ASL/PCTO (Dlg.No.107,13.07.2015). For details, contact [email protected].
It's easy to become a JCU student volunteer mentor. Italy Reads brings JCU students together with Italian high school students to discuss the book and work together on videos to submit to the Italy Reads Student Video Contest. High school students have the opportunity to practice their English and JCU students get to know Italy a bit better. All benefit from international teamwork!
See the Calendar of Events for dates and times of events this year. Events require registration to attend.To register as an official Italy Reads participant, or to receive more information about Italy Reads, please e-mail us at [email protected].
Italy Reads is John Cabot University's community-based English language reading and cultural exchange program that collaborates with 200 Italian high school teachers from over 60 high schools across Italy. Each year, one classic work of American literature is selected to read together.
Register to become an Italy Reads Volunteer Mentor.
Read the book and about it and the author. Go to Resources for Teachers and find out more.
*This program is suitable for all majors.
During the fall semester, volunteers also assist Italian students in producing a short English-language video on the work of literature as part of our Italy Reads Student Video Contest.
The minimum time commitment expected is about 6 hours during the semester – you are always welcome to do more!
All volunteers who successfully fulfill the requirements of the program receive a certificate of recognition from John Cabot University to include on their international resumes.
An Italy Reads volunteer is fluent in English and enrolled at JCU or at one of our partner universities (ask your Study Abroad Advisor). Study abroad students are ideal volunteers. The curiosity and initiative that brought you to JCU will be welcomed by the students and teachers you will meet. Students of all majors enjoy participating in the program for the added value it gives to the experience of studying at an American university in Rome.
The students and teachers you will meet share your interest in literature, history, getting to know people from other cultures, and they're anxious to practice their English.
Italy Reads provides you with international service learning experience. Certificates of completion are awarded to those students who fulfill the requirements of the program and visits, and your participation in Italy Reads is recognized toward a Community Service Certificate.
Become part of a growing initiative. Hear more about the experience from past Volunteer Mentors like MacKenzie.
Questions? Write to [email protected].
