Celebrating 15 Years at AIS: Silvia Luongo
INTERVIEW
Silvia celebrating her very first Mahjong win!
What originally drew you to AIS and made you want to start working here?
I moved to Philly in August 2011 as a newlywed and fresh graduate, so excited to teach Italian. I was looking for a meaningful job where I could truly grow, and friends at UPenn pointed me toward AIS Philadelphia. With its long history of bringing different cultures together, wonderful classes, and fun events, it felt like the perfect place to start. 15 years later, I can easily say it was one of the best decisions of my life. The high quality and variety of our programs make me so proud to be part of this community.
Why did you want to become an Italian teacher?
I originally studied languages to become a translator, but everything changed during an internship at a bilingual school in Germany. Watching passionate teachers bring learning to life in the classroom completely blew me away. I realized I wanted to share my deep love for Italy's rich culture, beautiful traditions, and amazing language directly with my students. I fell in love with teaching right then and there, and I’ve been happily sharing that passion ever since.
What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?
I love guiding my students from their very first words all the way to speaking comfortably, cheering them on through challenges and celebrating their big wins. Learning a language is a wonderful journey, and walking that path right alongside my students is the best part of my job.
What is your favorite part about being the CILS coordinator?
First, I love helping candidates during such a big moment in their lives—especially those working toward their Italian citizenship. Second, I really enjoy guiding the process to make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone. Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing teams at both AIS-Philadelphia and UT-Austin—from our front desk staff and teachers to our dedicated exam proctors.
How have you grown as a teacher during your time at AIS?
AIS was my very first teaching home, giving me the chance to work with all kinds of wonderful learners, from young children to seniors. It also let me jump into planning social events and workshops. Managing all these diverse dynamics helped me grow as a teacher—preparing me to design courses tailored to different learning styles and needs, and, most importantly, keeping me ready to answer the most surprising questions.