Staff and Teachers
Franca Riccardi
Director of Language and Cultural Programs From Busto Arsizio (Varese). Graduated from Universita' degli Studi di Milano. She has been teaching for more than 30 years, 20 at the Society. She plays a pivotal role as the creative and organizational force behind the AIS's events and the school's exceptional programs. email: franca_riccardi@aisphila.org Michele Pergola
Language Instructor From Roma. Graduated from Universita' La Sapienza di Roma with a degree in Italian Literature. He is an internationally published poet, photojournalist, and fine art photographer. He has been dedicated to teaching at the AIS across all levels for several years. He is an esteemed member of our staff, serving also as a highly valuable CILS language test administrator. |
Alessandra Fumagalli
Language Instructor and Teacher Trainer From Milano. Graduated with two Master’s degrees from IULM University in Milan. Adjunct lecturer in Italian at The University of Pennsylvania; has been teaching Italian in the USA since 2012, at University of South Carolina, SC, Drexel University, and at The University of the Arts. |
Rosanna Calabrò
Language Instructor From Varese. Graduated from Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca: Sociology – Communication and Mass Media. Currently located in London, UK. She has been teaching Italian for 14 years. She has been dedicated to teaching at the AIS across all levels for several years. She ha been involved in many projects, last but not least a special Cinema all'italiana (in Italian) and The Italian BookClub of Philadelphia (in English) series for our students and members. |
Silvia Luongo
Language Instructor and Liaison for CILS Program for UT in Austin. From Milano. Graduated from Università degli Studi di Milano with a degree in teaching Italian for Foreigners. She currently teaches at University of Texas, in Austin. She has been teaching Italian for 10 year. She has been dedicated to teaching at the AIS across all levels but mostly prep courses for CILS exams. She has been serving as a highly valuable CILS language test administrator in Austin, TX. |
Stefania Baita
Language Instructor From Bergamo. Graduated from Università degli studi di Bergamo with a degree in Business Economics, she is currently completing her degree in Teaching Italian to foreigners with Università di Siena. With a 10-year experience in training and coaching, she passionately teaches Italian at AIS, Drexel University and occasionally at UPenn. Francesco De Pascali
Language Instructor from Galatina (Lecce, Puglia) Francesco obtained a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Tours (France). He’s currently a research fellow at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, as well as a language enthusiast. He speaks Italian, Spanish, French, and English and has always been involved in mentoring and teaching throughout his career. |
The America-Italy Society of Philadelphia promotes friendship and cultural understanding between the Republic of Italy and the United States of America