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 

Ms. Aloisio is thrilled to be returning to work with the CPLI Teaching Team and to be with the children whom she has missed so much. During her time away, as a member of the Institute of Child Psychology, she has been doing coursework to gain a better understanding of children's socio-emotional behaviours and learning tools and strategies to help with the making of a resilient child during their time in the classroom. As an active member in the community, she also participates with Edmonton Italian Meet up group to keep up with the language. We are grateful to have her back at the CPLI and have the opportunity to again  to learn with her as she continues to share her Arts/Education degree within the context of the Italian language and culture with our students with whom she so enjoys interacting!

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 is at the University of Alberta for her After-Degree in Elementary Education to add to her degree in Early Childhood Education from 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."

Originally from Padova, Italy, Ms. Dell'Aversana in the Arts with a background specifically in Cultural Heritage. She has worked extensively in several art galleries and conducted Art Education programming. She moved to Canada in 2021. As she expresses, "I am fascinated by the multiculturalism that exists in this country" and looks forward to continuing her journey in Edmonton, Alberta.  Her goals as a teaching team member of the CPLI, "to bring her knowledge (and love) of the Italian language and affection for working with children."

Ms. Rioux is Edmonton-born, but has spent many years abroad pursuing her love for the Arts, Language and Culture. She has used her TESOL Certification to teach English and Italian at various age levels, through private practice. Her experiences living in Rome, Barcelona, Granada and Montreal have taught her to be flexible and patient when learning new languages. She holds a BA  degree in French and Spanish, and is currently pursuing her After-Degree in Secondary  Education at the University of Alberta.

A favourite quote of hers: “The joy of knowing a foreign language is inexpressible. I find it really difficult to express such joy in my mother tongue.” ― Munia Khan