Italian language and culture courses in Northwestern Switzerland
Courses in the language and culture of origin
In the Italian Consulate District of Basel (Canton Baselland, Basel-Stadt, Solothurn, Jura and Aargau) ECAP conducts courses in the local language and culture (HSK).
The courses take place in the local mainstream schools in the consular district of Basel and are organised in cooperation with the education department of the Italian consulate in Basel.
In the 2025/2026 school year, ECAP is running the «Italian language and culture courses in Northwestern Switzerland» project, 77.74% of which is co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs MAECI.
The courses make an important contribution to the education and integration of young people from the second, third and fourth generations. Parallel to compulsory schooling, pupils have the opportunity to learn their native language and have access to one of the world's greatest cultural assets. At the end of the courses, students can prepare for exams at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia to obtain the CELI language certificates.
More information about the project is available in the attachments:
For more information on the courses and for registration, please visit the course website. The courses have their own Facebook page that regularly informs you about their educational activities.
The 2024/2025 school year of the ECAP HSK courses
In the 2024/2025 school year, the «Italian language and culture courses in Northwestern Switzerland» project reached 1,172 Swiss, Italian and Italian-born pupils living in the five cantons of the Basel consular district, enabling them to acquire and strengthen their multilingualism.
The language and culture of origin were taught in 86 courses at primary level and 28 courses at secondary level. Together with the teaching of the Italian language and cultural heritage, there courses have enabled learners to access to the CELI language certificates offered by ECAP as an examination centre of the Università per stranieri in Perugia.
Hosted in over 50 Swiss schools, the LICIT-ECAP courses have also involved pupils in workshops, projects and extra-curricular activities that convey values of sharing and inclusion that are fundamental to growth. Not just grammar, literature, history and geography, therefore, but also lots of sharing and fun..
«Eccoci!!!» the magazine of the Italian Language and Culture courses
When Italian language and culture become an expression of the creativity and imagination of our students, the result is extraordinary and precious. The LICIT school newspaper «Eccoci!!!», wich is written by the primary level students of the ECAP HSK courses, was also published in the 2024/2025 school year.
«Eccoci!!!», which means ‘Here we are!’, is a project in which all teachers and pupils take part. The aim is to promote the Italian language and culture in the consular district of Basel by raising the profile of the LICIT courses. The project also plays an important role in our teaching activities by encouraging students and their parents to continue attending courses. Enjoy reading!
