Roberta
Pennasilico
roberta.pennasilico@gmail.com
roberta.pennasilico@dodea.edu
Education
• Master’s Degree at University of Naples Federico II, Major in English Language and Literature, 1990
• Bachelor and Master of Arts in Modern Foreign Language and Literature with emphasis in English Language offered by a regionally accredited university in the U.S.
• Scholarship for a Course in English Proficiency, London, 1989
• Scholarship for a Course in English as a FL, University Tutorial College, UK, 1987
• 6 Year-Course at the British School, Naples, 1980-1986
• Cambridge First Certificate, 1982
Certificates & Workshops
• “Implementing 20-60-20 in the WL classroom”, University of San Diego, Sept 2018
• Cambridge TKT CLIL (Teaching Knowledge Test: Content and Language Integrated Learning), Dec 2013
• DITALS 1 (Didattica dell’italiano come lingua straniera- Teaching of Italian as a Foreign Language) Certificate, University of Siena, Oct 2013
• Advanced Placement Summer Institute in AP Italian, College Board, John Cabot University, Rome, July 2013
• Interpersonal Communication in Pre-AP World Languages and Cultures, San Francisco, Jul 2011
• Advanced Placement Italian Certification, College Board, San Francisco, Jul 2011
• AP Foreign Language Job Alike Workshop, Wiesbaden, Germany, May 2011
• Foreign Language Pre-Implementation Workshop, Department of Defense Dependents Schools, 2002
• ACTFL Performance Guidelines Workshop, Vicenza, Feb 2000
• Partial Immersion, Host Nation & Second Language, Department of Defense Dependents Schools, 1999
• Partial Immersion Workshop, Vicenza, 1999
• Oral Proficiency Techniques and Strategies in Second Language Instruction, University of San Diego, 1995
• Language Implementation Training, Vicenza, Dec 1995
• Effective Foreign Language Instruction, Vicenza, Aug 1995
• Foreign Language Conference, Raunheim, Germany, Feb 1995
• TST (The Study of Teaching) workshop, Tirrenia, Italy 1994;
• Research for Better Teaching, Department of Defense Dependents School, 1993
Current Position
Teacher of Italian Language and Culture, levels II through V and Advanced Placement Italian and Host Nation Liaison with the Italian Community at Naples American Middle High School (Department of Defense Dependents Schools), Naples, Italy, since 1991
Invited Talks – Presentations
• “Cultural Identity in the Italian Lessons” Individual presentation, AATI International Conference at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Jun 22, 2024
• “Examples of Peardeck Activities with High School Students in the Italian classes”, included in the panel: “Examples of online activities with college and high school students in the Italian classes.” AATI International Conference at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Jun 22, 2024
• “A practical guide to the AP exam”, included in the panel: “Elevating language proficiency from the AP exam to the standardized certifications for Italian as a foreign language at college level.” AATI International Conference at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Jun 22, 2024
• “The conversation as a teaching strategy to measure and improve the interpersonal mode of communication in the novice and intermediate levels of Italian classes.”
invited as organizer & presenter, AATI International Conference at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Jun 19, 2024
• “Come costruire un efficace corso di Advanced Placement di italiano” webinar, organized by the Calandra Institute, New York, Dec 9, 2023
• “A lesson on the environment in the advanced Italian classes”, workshop organized by the Consulate of Italy in Detroit and Chicago, Oct 2023
• Webinar: “Identità linguistica e culturale nelle classi di italiano”, sponsored by the Italian Language Foundation, Sep 23
• “A walk into the Italian world”, presentation to students of Italian at Suffolk County Community College, New York, Oct 2022
• “The use of current events and social media in the Italian classes” webinar, organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, Mar 2022
• “Insegnare la lingua attraverso la cultura e la cultura attraverso la lingua” webinar, organized by AATI Long Island, Dec 2021
• Lead presenter at Primo Incontro Conference “L’eredità del virtuale: strategie didattiche da traghettare in classe” organized by ITANJ New Jersey Aug 2021
• “The Power of Peardeck and Summer projects”, webinar, Italian Teachers Association of New Jersey Mar 2021
• “Integrating the Italian Culture in your Language Activities” webinar, ITANJ Sep 2020
• “Interactive Activities to Utilize During Distance Learning” webinar, ITANJ Sep 2020
• “How to build and use interactive activities in class and remote with Peardeck”, NMHS Sep 2020
• “The AP exam”, webinar sponsored by Calandra Institute and Società Dante Alighieri, NY, Apr 2020
• Practice for AP activities/2, webinar sponsored by Calandra Institute and Società Dante Alighieri, NY, Apr 2020
• Practical suggestions for the AP exam tasks, webinar sponsored by Department of Defense Education Activity, Mar 2020
• Practice for AP activities/1, webinar sponsored by Calandra Institute and Società Dante Alighieri, NY, Mar 2020
• The AP course framework/2, webinar sponsored by Calandra Institute and Società Dante Alighieri, NY, Mar 2020
• The AP course framework/1, webinar sponsored by Calandra Institute and Società Dante Alighieri, NY, Feb 2020
• Practices for an effective AP course, webinar sponsored by Department of Defense Education Activity, Feb 2020
• How to build an effective AP World Language Course, webinar sponsored by Department of Defense Education Activity, Jan 2020
• Using current events to create original vertical units, ACTFL Conference, Washington, Nov 2019
• Integrating the Italian culture in your language activities, guest speaker at workshop at Iona University, New York, Nov 2019
• Building an effective AP Italian course from the beginning to the advanced levels, NYCAFLT/UFT Conference, New York, Nov. 2019
• Practical examples of vertical units, Webinar, AATI LI, Oct 2019
• “AP and more!/2 : ‘Il linguaggio della tecnologia’ and ‘I miei libri’” Webinar organized by AATI Long Island, Jan 2019 Webinar organized by AATI Long Island, Feb 2019
• “AP and more!/1 : ‘Canzoni per riflettere’ and ‘Il linguaggio della pubblicità’” Webinar organized by AATI Long Island, Jan 2019
• “Flipgrid: Hear every student’s voice in your classroom. The use of an effective technological tool.”, Teacher Workshop Day, Naples MHS, Oct 2018
• “Strategie didattiche per preparare gli studenti all’esame AP.” Webinar organized by ITANJ, American Association of Teachers of Italian, New Jersey, Oct 2018
• “Vertical Units: come utilizzare le notizie per unità didattiche verticali.” Webinar organized by ITANJ, American Association of Teachers of Italian, New Jersey, Sep 2018
• “Practical suggestions to build a course of AP Italian.” Webchat organized by ITANJ, American Association of Teachers of Italian, New Jersey, Aug 2018
• “Reinforcing Writing Skills Through the AP Course and Exam”, John Calandra Institute, New York, Oct 2017
• “Suggestions for effective activities in Italian classes through practical original lessons”, conduction of workshop at Florida International University, Miami Oct 2017
• “How to develop AP Italian Thematic units to help students be successful at AP exam”, Teacher Development night, Cincinnati, Jun 2017
• “Best Practices to Enhance CLIL in the Classrooms” workshop to teachers of Istituto Europa, Pomigliano, Naples, Mar 2016
• Keynote speaker at Conference on “The Benefits of Bilingualism”, Istituto La Sala, Aversa, Feb 2016
• “Using current events to design original lessons in AP Italian” session at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Annual Convention, San Diego, CA, Nov 2015
• “Using Technology to design original lessons in AP Italian” session at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, Nov 2014
• “Video advertising and Italian languages for special purposes”, in collaboration with Sant’Anna Institute of Sorrento, ACTFL Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, Nov 2014
• 5 day workshop on “Talking about Legality: Icons in American and Italian Cultures” NMHS and Istituto Europa, Naples, Nov 2014
• “Using Technology to design original lessons in AP Italian” session at the ACTFL AP Italian at the 2014 College Board Advanced Placement Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA Jul 2014
• “Using Technology to design original lessons in AP Italian” session at the AP Summer Institute at Universita’ per Stranieri of Perugia, Jul 2014
• “Data collection and evaluation in Foreign Language Classes” session to the Faculty of Naples American Middle High School, Mar 2014
• “School Improvement Plan: Embedding School Goals into a Foreign Language Lesson”, session to the Faculty of Naples American Middle High School, Jan 2013
• “Improving Writing Skills in Class”, to the Faculty of Naples American Middle High School, Oct 2012
• “Using Math Skills in Foreign Language Classes” session the Faculty of Naples American Middle High School, Mar 2011
• “How to Improve Critical Thinking in Class”session to the Faculty of Naples Middle High School, Oct 2009
• “School Improvement Plan: Best Practices in Class” session to the Faculty of Naples MHS, Nov 2007
• “Use of Technology in Foreign Language Classes” workshop at the Foreign Language Pre-Implementation Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, Feb 2002
Major Professional Experiences
• Member of the AP Italian Language and Culture Development Committee at College Board, since 2016-2019
• Member of the AP Italian Reading for AP exams, College Board, Cincinnati, 2015-2019
• Publication of original lessons on Blog “USspeaksItalian” http://www.usspeaksitalian.org/blog-attivita-didattiche SY 2016-19
• Instructor of a course on “Italian Current Events” at Middlebury College Language Schools, Jun-Jul 2015, Oakland, CA
• Senior Class Sponsor, Responsible for Graduation Ceremony, 1994-2011 and 2013-2015
• Translation of a review on www.scaruffi.com/avant/deca.html, Mar 2010
• Member of Committee on Foreign Language standards and proficiency expectations and understanding of best practices for developing and assessing language proficiency, Feb 2008
• Part of Planning Committee for Foreign Language European Festivals 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, Germany
• Core session instructor in Foreign Language Festival events in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
• Creation of an original video clip advertisement of Foreign Languages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qssm02-7F1U, Oct 2005
• OFT Representative for LinguaFest Planning, Germany, Mar 2007
• Responsible for selection, presentation and purchase of Advanced Italian textbooks for all American DoDDS Schools in Italy, Mar 2007
• Translator of Parent Rights for Department of Defense Dependent Schools official site, Sep 2005
• Creator of official logos for FL European Festivals, Germany, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
• Accredited Interviewer of American Teachers applying for Host Nation positions in Naples, Mar 2001
• Member of Review of DoDDS Foreign Language Standards Committee, Arlington, Jun 2002
• HS Representative for Virtual Planning Committee Conference, Jan 2002
• Head of Italian Textbook Selection Committee for Med District, Sep 2001
• Host and organizer of All-Italy Foreign Language Festival, 2001 and 2004
• Member of Benchmark Committee, Sept 2000
• Member of New Material Review Committee, Richmond, Virginia, Aug. 2000
• Foreign Language Department Head at NAHS, 1996-1999
• Host and organizer of First Foreign Language Festival, Naples, Apr 1997
• Interviewer of Derrick de Kerckhove, Director of McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology (Canada), Jun 1996
• Trainer of NMHS Teachers in “Integrade grading system” Software, Dec 1995
Job Knowledge
• Originally designed lessons for Advanced Placement Italian and lower level classes on a regular basis
• Course programs, grading policy and class expectations presented clearly to students and posted on Goggle Classroom platform
• Detailed daily lesson plans with learning objectives
• Daily lesson schedule posted on the board and on screen
• Use of a wide selection of different types of class activities (listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural)
• Large use of realia and supplementary material, in order to provide students with an even wider variety of learning sources
• Lesson plans and activities updated and archived neatly, divided by levels and topics;
• Use of Italian newspapers, web papers, blogs in the target language for advanced classes
• Accurate substitute folder with detailed emergency lesson plans, along with alternate plans
Work Habits
• Use of 20-60-20 teaching framework
• Daily sponge activity at the beginning of each class
• Individual, pair-work and flexible grouping activities
• Objectives of the daily lessons clearly posted on Google classroom
• Lesson plans based on real-life dialogues and situations
• Presentation of authentic material on a daily basis
• Grades are given in weighted percentages (performance, practice, assessment)
• Preparation of original lesson plans, activities and tests
• Different types of assessment tools and testing stimuli (multiple choice, essays, matching, short answers, listening exercises, open dialogues, video/audio clips, etc.)
• Reinforcement of linguistic situations and cultural aspects in study trips
• Large variety of visual stimuli in the classroom
• Lesson pace gives students opportunity to be on task all the time
Promoting Digital Learning
• Creation and update of personal website www.robertapennasilico.it, 2003 to present
• Daily use of interactive activities on Peardeck
• Upload of assignments and presentation on Google classroom platform
• Creation of original quizzes on the Schoology platform
• Creation of Class Blog/Website 2013-15: www.missp-classes.weebly.com
• Large use of Smart Board activities from textbook software
• Use of originally designed lessons on Google slide presentations
• Creation of technology-based lesson plans
• Large use of radio podcasts, video clips, digital video-camera for special projects and related software for activities at all levels
• Individual students’ digital portfolio or websites, a collection of notes, assignments, reports, dialogues, presentations and such, graded every semester
• Grading and correcting students’ work through Google Apps
• Assignments posted on school Grading database and website
• Creation of a quarterly World Language Parent Newsletter until 2020
Community Liaison
• Sponsor of National Italian Honor Society, organize community projects and induction ceremony
• Consistent and continuous collaboration with American Consulate in Naples on planning of joined cultural events for students and teachers
• Current Member of AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian)
• Sponsoring of Italian students at Naples High School on a regular basis during the school year, and returning the visit to a selected number of Italian schools
• Organizing study trips with classes of Italian students acting as tour guides
• Planning and supervising the project “Adopt a monument” with FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italia), Mar 2017
• Planning the project “Spanish cultural exchange” with the AP Spanish class at NMHS and a class of Italian students in advanced Spanish classes at Convitto Vittorio Emanuele, Apr-May 2017
• Coordinate cultural exchanges with Military School “La Nunziatella” and NMHS JROTC classes, SY 2016-17
• Planning and organization of special school events, such as students meeting and interviewing famous Italian actor, Mr. Croccolo, or inviting an Italian professor to talk to students about Dante’s Inferno
• Planning and coordinating Naples High School Jazz Band concerts at Italian schools
• Acting as liaison between Naples High School Junior and High School Honor Societies and local orphanages, for donations and special events
• Planning of trips to WW2 Museum in Anzio
• Planning of attendance to theater performances organized by popular Italian Theater Didactic Organizations, such as “Le Nuvole” and “Il Palchetto Stage”, to watch live performances based on literary masterpieces
• Coordination of events involving Italian peers (i.e. the musical Grease, football games, etc.)
• Presentations on the American School System to Italian teachers in Italian High Schools;
• Coordination of the participation in the Italian Performing Arts Festival;
• Organization of Music concert with Conservatory of Avellino Young String Orchestra at Naples High School, Dec 2012
Communication
• Assignments and homework posted on Google classroom platform and updated on a daily basis
• Publication of original lessons, links and ideas on College Board Teacher Community area and on USspeaksItalian (Italian Embassy in Washington) until 2020
• Prompt answers to messages from parents
• Foreign Language Department Newsletter edited quarterly, sent home electronically, until 2020
• Publication of Newsletter on school’s Webpage until 2020
• Post events and special projects on school’s FB page
• Always present at parent conferences
• Point of contact for Study Trip Planning for teachers in every other curriculum area
• Regular contacts with Italian teachers and students, in order to promote cultural exchanges, that take place regularly during the school-year
Leadership
• Planning and supervising 1st Foreign Language Festival ever held in Italy, Apr. 1997
• Preparation of students for the FL Festivals held yearly after 1997
• Assistance to the teachers hosting FL Festivals’ following editions
• Hosting 4th Foreign Language Festival in Naples, in 2001
• Senior Class sponsor 1994-2011, 2013-2015: planning of meetings, ordering of caps and gowns, organization of graduation ceremony in Italian historical sites, baccalaureate, supervising of fundraisers, preparation of both baccalaureate and graduation events
• Italian Club sponsor since 1991: planning of weekly meetings, organization of fundraisers during the most important Italian holidays, spreading the Italian culture in the school, planning and participation in an end-of-the-year trip to an Italian site
• Participation in many school activities, such as Homecoming, Prom, and many other school-related cultural activities
• Coordination of Italian culture activities for other teachers, such as the organization of study trips to cultural sites and full-immersion school exchanges with Italian students
