What is PLIDA?
PLIDA stands for Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri (Dante Alighieri Project for Italian Language) and it aims at creating a modern, fun and dynamic course of
study in Italian. In this important process and in order to ensure our students the best of this program, the Cambridge Dante is working in close cooperation with the
Central Headquarters of the Dante Alighieri Society in Rome (original founder of the program), its language committee, and the Scholastic Office of the Consulate General
of Italy in Boston.
The PLIDA program follows the guidelines of the European Committee for the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Hence, the program focuses on the development of the four basic
linguistic competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) with a particular accent on cultural matters. In our classes, students listen to Italian songs and
conversations, watch Italian movie excerpts, present their projects, and, most importantly, are constantly engaged in group or paired activities. Our students learn to
hone their language skills in a fun, engaging, and culture-oriented environment, progressively improving their expertise in each of the above competencies. We believe
that our students are the real center of our classes and we plan our classes around their practice of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Italian.
The PLIDA Language Levels
Following the European Committee for the teaching of Foreign Languages, the PLIDA is subdivided into six learning levels of progressive complexity. They are:
- A1 Beginning Italian
- A2 Elementary Italian (minimum level required to apply for an Italian Permit of Stay)
- B1 Intermediate Italian
- B2 Fundamental Italian
- C1 Advanced Italian
- C2 Professional Italian
The PLIDA Program at the Dante of Massachusetts
The PLIDA Program, which has been implemented with great success by the Dante Alighieri Society in diverse European and non-European countries, has been introduced
at the Cambridge location beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year. During the fall of 2010 the new program was given only at the A1 Beginning level (PLIDA 101, PLIDA
102 and PLIDA 103). Due to the great success of our courses and to the positive response from our students, the A2 Elementary level (PLIDA 104, PLIDA 105 and PLIDA 106)
was introduced in the fall of 2011. We will continue to introduce new levels until the entire language program is completed. The central Dante Alighieri Society in Rome
considers the Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts in Cambridge to be a reference point for the PLIDA Program in the United States.
Admission to the PLIDA Program
All students are welcome to take PLIDA classes. Previous attendance of PLIDA classes is not mandatory.
The PLIDA Certification and Exam
| Next PLIDA B1 Exam: June 2023 |
| Please note that a final decision has not been made as to whether the Dante in Cambridge, MA will be offering the PLIDA Exams in June 2023. A final decision will be made near the end of March 2023. As soon as a final decision is made, it will be published online. |
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The PLIDA Certification
There is no requirement for students taking PLIDA courses to be certified. However, for those students who specifically seek optional certification, the PLIDA Program
offers a certification of competence in the Italian language for each of the levels mentioned previously.
The PLIDA Certification is an official diploma issued by the Dante Alighieri Society through a formal agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the scientific
approval of the University “La Sapienza” of Rome. PLIDA is also recognized by the Italian Ministry of Employment and Welfare (decree of October 18, 2002), and by the
Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR - February 11, 2004).
Who should take the PLIDA Certification?
Students who may wish to be certified include those who plan to study at Italian universities (which accepts PLIDA Certification as proof of competency), American high
school and college students who may seek college credit, persons interested in Italian language for business or training reasons, and persons wishing to be certified for
personal reasons (level A2 of the PLIDA Certification is valid toward an application for the Italian Permit of Stay). According to the directives of the Italian Ministry
of Instruction, University, and Research (MIUR), these exams are, however, required only of students who wish to enroll in Italian universities. Certification may also
interest students who see the examination as a capstone experience after taking their PLIDA courses. Both students who have taken PLIDA courses and those who have not may
take these optional examinations. Students coming from other Dante Alighieri chapters may also take the PLIDA certification examination.
More Information
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