Chi siamo?

Director and a Teacher at the Comitato Promotore della Lingua Italiana (CPLI) – Italian Language School, Ms. Cortese holds a Doctorate of Education and Policy Studies and a Master Degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. Ms. Cortese has taught Italian and ESL, K to University level for almost 20 years. Her work in research includes English/Heritage language acquisition, teaching methodologies. She has been the Director and a Teacher at the CPLI since its inception in 2008 and is currently the President of the International and Heritage Languages Association 

Mrs. Enza Talarico started as a Teaching Assistant with the CPLI in 2012. Since that time, Mrs. Talarico has participated and continues her coursework undertaking Professional Development courses in the area of Heritage Language Teaching and now holds a position of Instructor with the CPLI. Mrs. Talarico moved to Canada from Italy at age 9 with her family in 1975. She has been an active member within the Italian community for over 20 years, most notably as a Board Member with the Italian Appennini Dancers.  

Mrs. Castro comes to our city and the CPLI from Hong Kong, where she taught ESL, having started her teaching career in London, England 10 years ago in Early Childhood Education and has her TESOL Certification. Mrs. Castro also holds a Bachelor of Music degree combining her love of teaching music and language to children. She will be at the University of Alberta for her BEd to add to her degree in Early Childhood Education in England. 

Originally from Rome, Italy, Ms. Martelli spent most of her life in Geneva, Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2011. She has worked with children and adults in teaching and tutoring different subject areas. As a part of our teaching team, she brings to our students her love and enthusiasm for learning languages:   

"Learning to speak a language can be a difficult and challenging process. I know from personal experience the joy that comes when everything suddenly comes together and clicks, and the dream of speaking another language comes true."