ITALY COUNTRY NOTES ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS PROGRAMME
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS PROGRAMME
ITALY 2020/21
ITALY
COUNTRY
NOTES
VERSION 1
Document compiled by British Council: Information correct @ 31 July 2020. We are aware that
information can change throughout the year. Please inform us should you discover any errors.
www.britishcouncil.org
1NOTES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS
APPOINTED TO ITALY IN 2020-21
This is an updated version of the Italy Country Notes document for the 2020/21 English
Language Assistants Programme. Any previous country notes relating to previous years
should be ignored for the 2020/21 academic year.
FOREWORD
Congratulations on your recent allocation to a post as an English Language Assistant in
Italy. Every year, around 2,000 Language Assistants from the UK support the teaching of
English in 14 countries around the world. Every Language Assistant is taking part in a
programme that traces its heritage back to 1905. It began as an exchange programme
that allowed graduates from France to help English students learn French, with 'young
Masters in English secondary schools' heading to France to perform a similar role.
Shortly afterwards, a similar agreement was reached with the government of Prussia.
Since those early days, the programme has endured major global events, two World
Wars, and the Great Depression to name a few. But while the global political, social and
economic landscapes may have changed over the years, the Language Assistants
initiative has remained committed to increasing language skills across the world.
This document contains important information and advice regarding a variety of
practical and administrative matters affecting UK assistants in Italy. This document
should be read carefully, retained for reference and considered in conjunction with any
papers issued by the Italian authorities. It is important that you take this information with
you whilst undertaking your year abroad in order to be able to consult it at all times
when problems/questions arise.
If your permanent (UK) home address, personal e-mail or phone number should change
at any time from now, please inform us immediately by sending an e-mail to
languageassistants.uk@britishcouncil.org. We may need to contact you during the
year with urgent messages, invitations to events or to add updates to these notes, so
please ensure that you have given us the correct contact details.
We hope that you find the following information useful and that you enjoy the year
ahead.
Best wishes,
British Council Language Assistants Team
2TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword 2
1. Co-operating Partners 5
1.1. British Council 5
1.2. Partner Organisations in Italy 5
2. Role of The Language Assistant 6
2.1. Teaching English 6
3. Posting Information 7
3.1. Predecessors 8
4. Pre-Departure Information 8
4.1. Foreign and Commonwealth Office 8
4.2. Passports and Visas_______________________________________9
4.3. Brexit__________________________________________________9
4.4. Medical Certificate 10
4.5. Residence Permits 10
4.6. Travel to Italy 11
4.7. Taking a Car Abroad 11
4.8. Taking Pets Abroad 12
4.9. Graduates with Student Loans 13
4.10. Benefits / Universal Credit 13
4.11. Insurance 13
5. Health and Wellbeing 15
5.1. Healthcare 15
5.2. EHIC 15
5.3. Medication 16
5.4. Mental Health 16
6. Arrival 16
6.1. Induction Meeting 16
7. Settling In 16
7.1. Accommodation 16
7.2. Codice Fiscale 18
7.3. Creating Social Networks 19
7.4. Study Opportunities 20
37.5. Settling into School Life 20
8. Money Matters 21
8.1. Monthly Allowance 21
8.2. Erasmus+ Grants 21
8.3. Currency and Banks 22
8.4. Income Tax 22
9. Administrative Matters 23
9.1. Absence from School 23
9.2. Solving Problems & Lines of Referral__________________________23
10. In Country Advice 24
10.1. Personal Safety 24
10.2. Travelling Around 24
10.3. ISIC 25
10.4. Internet 26
10.5. Phoning Home & Mobiles 26
10.6. Lost or Stolen Mobile / Cellular Phones 26
11. Teaching Tips and Resources 26
11.1. Observation Period 26
11.2. British Council Teaching Resources 27
11.3. Teaching Materials 27
11.4. Book List 29
12. Spotlight on Italy 29
12.1. Regions 29
12.2. Public Holidays 30
12.3. Emergency Services in Italy 30
12.4. Earthquakes 31
12.5. British Embassy and Consulate 31
12.6. British Council in Italy 31
41. CO-OPERATING around the world together, so young
people and teachers from different
PARTNERS countries can learn from each other.
1.1. BRITISH COUNCIL Our work in the arts involves the very
best British and international artistic
The British Council is the United
talent. We help increase audiences for
Kingdom’s international organisation for
international work in the UK and for UK
cultural relations and educational
work globally. We bring artists together
opportunities. We create friendly
and support the development of skills
knowledge and understanding between
and policy in the arts and creative
the people of the UK and other
industries. Through this work, we ensure
countries. We do this by making a
that culture in its broadest sense plays a
positive contribution to the UK and the
vital role in connecting with others and
countries we work with – changing lives
promoting friendly understanding.
by creating opportunities, building
connections and engendering trust. In these ways, the British Council builds
links between UK people and institutions
We work with over 100 countries across
and those around the world, helping
the world in the fields of arts and
create trust and lay foundations for
culture, English language and education,
prosperity and security.
and civil society. Each year we reach
over 20 million people face to face and
1.2. PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
more than 500 million people online, via
broadcasts and publications. Founded in IN ITALY
1934, we are a UK charity governed by
In Italy we have two main cooperating
Royal Charter and a UK public body.
partners, and both work together with
Our work in English aims to bring high- the British Council to administer the
quality language materials to every programme.
learner and teacher across the world. In
Our first cooperating partner in Italy is
developing and post-conflict countries,
the MIUR – Ministero dell’Istruzione,
we teach English and train teachers
dell’Università e della Ricerca (The
through radio, web and TV broadcasts.
ministry of the Italian government for
We offer more than three million UK
the national education system, the
examinations worldwide, helping people
Italian universities and research
gain access to trusted qualifications to
agencies).
support their career and study
opportunities. Address: Ufficio VIII,
Internazionalizzazione del sistema
Our work in education and society helps
educativo, Viale Trastevere 76/A,
transform national education systems,
00153, Roma, Italia.
builds more inclusive and open societies
and increases opportunities for young Website:https://www.miur.gov.it/assistenti-
people. We encourage international stranieri-in-italia
students to come and study in the UK,
and help British students gain Our other cooperating partner is Indire -
experience abroad. We bring schools L’instituto Nazionale di Documentazione,
Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa (The
5National Institute for Documentation, Exactly what you will do on a daily basis
Innovation and Educational Research). will vary according to the school in
which you are working and how they
Address: Via Michelangelo Buonarroti, choose to use you, but there are two
10, 50122, Firenze, Italia. important points that apply to everyone:
Website: http://www.indire.it/en/ • Assistants in Italy cannot cover
classes as a replacement
Contact for both MIUR and Indire:
teacher, as it is against the rules
assistentilingue@istruzione.it. of the programme.
• When you first arrive at your
For those assistants placed in the school(s) you should ask for a
autonomous region of Trentino-Alto period of observation. This is
Adige / South Tyrol, you can also particularly useful as an
contact: Ulrike Huber - Responsible for introduction to the school
posts in the German-speaking area environment and as a chance to
ulrike.huber@schule.suedtirol.it, Paolo gauge the pupils’ general level of
English. It may not be offered to
Bergamaschi - Responsible for posts in
you automatically.
the Italian-speaking area
Paolo.Bergamaschi@provincia.bz.it and Please be aware that during your
Susy Rottonara - Responsible for posts period of appointment as a language
in the Ladin-speaking area assistant, it is your school and not the
Susy.Rottonara@provinz.bz.it. British Council who is your official
employer.
2. ROLE OF THE
LANGUAGE 2.1. TEACHING ENGLISH
ASSISTANT It is important to be resourceful and use
your initiative. If you do not think that
The role of a language assistant is a very
you are being used sufficiently, make
important one and one that we hope you
suggestions of topics that you could
will enjoy. Please remember that you are
discuss with the students or activities
considered a member of staff with the
that you could get involved with. Your
responsibilities and required
first-hand experience of life in the UK is
professionalism that this entails. Please
an excellent resource and you should
refer to our website for more
draw on this during your lessons.
information on your role as an English
Language Assistant. This document contains a chapter which
provides a lot of advice to help you
As a language assistant you are also an
incorporate cultural content into your
ambassador for the UK and its
lessons and about teaching English in
culture. The way you behave will
general but to get started, the following
influence how those around you view
links may be useful:
the UK and you should endeavour to be
a positive example. If you set a bad • http://www.teachingenglish.org
example, you could damage the .uk/article/ela-manual
reputation of the programme and • www.teachingenglish.org.uk/l
adversely affect the experience of anguage-assistant/essential-
future assistants. uk
6Remember that teachers are often very in the classroom, you will still receive
busy and some will be more responsive your monthly salary.
to your ideas than others, so don’t be
put off if your suggestions are not taken Assistants are expected to work 12
up immediately. hours a week. Those who have been
appointed to more than one school will
It is also very important to make sure be asked to divide their time between
that you are familiar with the education the schools concerned. You can request
system in Italy as it will help you know information regarding how your
what to expect when you start teaching timetable will be arranged from the head
at your school(s). Please see the of the host school, which is usually the
Eurydice webpage for specific first one mentioned when you are sent
information. the details of your posting.
If you have been appointed to two or
three schools you should write to all of
3. POSTING them confirming your acceptance of the
INFORMATION post. If you do not receive a reply by
mid-September it is a good idea to ring
The period of appointment for UK the school(s) to ask them about
assistants in Italy next year will be 01 accommodation and give them an idea
October 2020 – 31 May 2021. of your anticipated arrival date.
We have received correspondence from You should ask them for some
our partner organisations in Italy, that information about the school(s) in which
they will be taking a flexible approach to you will be working. For example, it may
assistantships for the upcoming be useful to know the age range of
academic year. pupils, the average class size, the
general level of ability, the social
This means that assistants will be able to
background of pupils and the facilities
come to an individual arrangement with
available. You could also enquire about
their school as to whether they begin
bringing any specific materials from
their placement on the 01 October
home. It is also important to enquire
working virtually and then transition to
about the dress code for teachers and
face-to-face teaching later on or begin
any other general school information.
on the 01 October teaching in the
classroom. The maximum number of schools to
which you can be appointed is three.
Once you have received your letter of
Please contact us if you have been
appointment containing your school
appointed to more than three schools. If
allocation from Indire, it will be your
the different schools are several miles
responsibility to speak with your mentor
apart and you have to travel between
teacher and come to an arrangement
two on the same day, you are entitled to
regarding working virtually or in the
ask for help towards travel expenses.
classroom.
Under no circumstance should an
We have received assurances that, assistant be required to buy or rent a
whether you will be working virtually or car just to get to their schools. If no
regular public transport serves your
7school(s) and there are no lifts available of assistants appointed to your area in
to your school(s), please inform us of the 2019-20. However, in the summer
situation. information pack you will find a list of
names and contact details of former
Assistants are entitled to the usual assistants who have given their
school holidays. Ask your school for permission for their details to be passed
details of these, as they can differ in on to you.
each region. You should be able to
obtain the dates from the school It should be noted that schools do not
secretary. You should not be absent on necessarily receive assistants each year,
other occasions without prior but your host school(s) may be in a
permission. Attending the induction better position to offer you help with
course does not give assistants the right contacting former assistants. We would
to take leave at a later date. recommend contacting your host school
to ask if they would be willing to ask
In the coming weeks, we will be sending their former language assistants to
you a survey to complete. Within this share their contact details with you.
survey you will be asked to officially
confirm your acceptance of the post and
also provide the school’s full name and
address and any named mentor teacher 4. PRE DEPARTURE
on the document you received from the INFORMATION
MIUR / Indire or the authorities in
Trentino-Alto Adige. When you receive 4.1. FOREIGN AND
this survey, please endeavour to COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
complete it as soon as possible, so that
we have the details of where you will be Before travelling to Italy you should
working for the next year. This is as ensure that you check the Foreign and
important as having your up-to-date Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel
contact details on record, and we thank advice pages: www.gov.uk/foreign-
you in advance for sharing them. travel-advice/italy and ensure that you
have subscribed to updates so that you
• If you are an undergraduate studying receive any important information or
at a university, please also write to
changes to the FCO’s advice. There is
your university tutor / year abroad
coordinator to provide them with the also now a dedicated page for advice
address(es) of the school(s). concerning the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
outbreak in Italy.
Appointments in Italy are for one
academic year only and, due to During a crisis, advice for British
competition for posts, applications nationals will be published on the travel
for a consecutive period of service advice website and updated regularly,
cannot be considered. so by subscribing you will ensure that
you are aware of any updates. You can
3.1. PREDECESORS register for emails using this link:
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-
Due to the newly introduced GDPR laws, advice/italy/email-signup.
the British Council will be unable to
automatically share the contact details
8We also recommend that assistants read will update their website with details of
the ‘Advice for Travellers’ any changes to the rules as soon as
documentation provided by the FCO, information is available.
which can be found here:
www.gov.uk/government/policies/suppo We would highly recommend visiting the
rting-british-nationals- www.gov.uk website for the most up-to-
overseas/supporting-pages/advice-for-
date official information for British
travellers.
citizens entering, living in and working in
Italy. Pages of particular importance are
4.2. PASSPORTS AND VISAS
the Entry Requirements page and the
Assistants must be in possession of a Living in Italy page.
standard 10-year passport before
leaving the UK and are advised to 4.3. BREXIT
ensure that it will not need to be
The UK Government has launched a new
renewed before October 2021. Those
website to help businesses,
who are not in possession of a passport,
organisations, individuals and families
or need a new one, should complete the
check what they need to do to prepare
application procedure as soon as
for the UK leaving the European Union.
possible either through a regional
The section UK nationals living in the
Passport Office or online at:
European Union contains specific advice
https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/pas
for British Nationals living in Italy.
sports.
Please note, the advice provided is
Residents of the Channel Islands should
based upon current government
check their individual situation with the
guidelines. Language Assistants have a
nearest consulate.
responsibility to keep themselves
If you have dual nationality (UK/other) informed of changes to the
you should ensure that your UK government’s advice on Brexit and the
passport is valid and you should use this impact this may have on British nationals
one to travel whilst in Italy. This will save living in Italy.
you considerable complications with the
The government’s website contains
local authorities. This does not apply if
specific advice on Living in Italy. The
one of your passports is Italian.
website contains links to sign up to e-
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you mail alerts on different topics relating to
don’t need a visa to enter Italy. The rules Brexit. We recommend that assistants
on travel will stay the same until the sign up to these alerts and continue to
transition period ends on 31 December check the government’s website for any
2020. During this time you can continue updates.
to travel to countries in the Schengen Advice and links from the Italian
area or elsewhere in the EU with government can also be accessed here.
your UK passport. Language Assistants must keep up to
date with guidance provided by the
After the end of the transition period, Italian government, as well as the British
the rules on travel may change. The government.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
9We advise English Language Assistants 4.4. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
in Italy to read advice which may be
published on the Italian government’s In accordance with the statement in the
website. We also recommend that medical section of the British Council
assistants follow the British Embassy in application form, the Ministry of
Italy on Facebook and Twitter. Education in Italy or your school may
request a medical certificate from you
The British Embassy in Italy is holding a upon commencement of your post in
series of outreach events across Italy, to Italy.
update UK nationals on Brexit. Assistants
should consider attending these events If requested by your school or the Italian
to keep informed of changes which may authorities, you must obtain a medical
relate to their local areas - British certificate / letter from your GP (on
Embassy Citizen Outreach meetings in letter headed paper, stamped and
Italy. signed) over the summer and forward it
to the Ministry when requested to. The
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the medical certificate should be written in
terms of the UK’s withdrawal from English and confirm that you are in a
the EU and provides for a deal on good state of health and do not suffer
citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition from any contagious illnesses.
period which lasts until 31 December
2020. During this time you can continue You may also wish to take a copy of the
to live, work and study in the EU broadly certificate to Italy for your own
as you did before 31 January 2020. reference.
If you are resident in Italy at the end of If your school or the Italian authorities
the transition period, you will be do not contact you to request a medical
covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, certificate, no further action is
and your rights will be protected for as necessary.
long as you remain resident in Italy. Please note: failure to produce a
Any rights that are not covered by the medical certificate when asked to do
Withdrawal Agreement will be the so may prevent you from being able
subject of future negotiations. Read this to undertake the assistantship post.
guidance page for more information
4.5. RESIDENCE PERMITS
In the meantime, make sure you are
If you are resident in Italy before the
registered as a resident in Italy (more
transition period ends on 31 December
details provided below). The Foreign and
2020, you will be able to stay.
Commonwealth Office (FCO) will update
this guidance as soon as more You must register as an Italian
information becomes available. resident (in Italian) if you want to stay in
Italy for more than 3 months. You will
You should also read the get one of the following from the local
FCO’s guidance on living in Europe. town hall or comune:
• an attestazione di regolarità di
soggiorno
• a certificato di residenza
10• attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica 4.6. TRAVEL TO ITALY
or attestazione di soggiorno
permanente (if resident for 5 years You are responsible for the cost of your
or more) own travel and any travel to and from
your place of appointment during the
The rules on residency registration
remain the same during the transition year. Booking in advance for all forms of
period. Read the Italian transport is highly recommended. Past
government’s guidance on residency assistants have warned to check the
processes for UK nationals (in Italian). baggage allowance for outward and
return journeys when travelling by plane
If you have already registered as a as sometimes the cheaper airlines have
resident and have a residency quite a low baggage allowance. The
document, you should obtain the new following websites may help you when
attestazione from your local comune. booking your travel:
This new document will be proof of your
rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. • www.skyscanner.net ;
www.eurostar.com
For more information about the new • https://www.raileurope.com/,
attestazione, read the Italian Ministry of • www.directferries.co.uk
Interior’s circular (in Italian). It includes a • www.eurolines.co.uk ,
sample of the new document. You www.britishairways.com
should take this to your local comune • www.easyjet.co.uk, www.flybe.com
when requesting it. • www.thomsonfly.com,
www.opodo.co.uk
In order to register as a resident in Italy, • www.expedia.co.uk,
it is likely that you will need to provide www.ryanair.co.uk
• https://www.interrail.eu/en
documentation providing the following:
• You have a work contract 4.6. TAKING A CAR ABROAD
• You have sufficient economic
resources as well as personal health You will need to research the laws on
insurance driving in Italy, including adapting your
headlights and driving on the right. The
It is also likely that you will need to take website www.gov.uk/driving-abroad
your passport, show that you have provides useful information about
sufficient financial resources (take a motoring abroad.
copy of the lettera di incarico from the
If you plan to take a car to Italy for the
MIUR) and show that you have valid period of your assistantship, please
health insurance. ensure that you take out adequate
insurance for the full period and be
You must check with your town hall what aware that many insurance companies
further documentation you may need to will only insure you for periods of up to
apply for residency. The Foreign and 90 days. Past assistants have advised
Commonwealth Office website also looking into insurance well in advance in
offers information on this subject: order to have the time to shop around
www.gov.uk/living-in-italy. for a suitable policy. All UK motor
insurance policies offer the minimum
legal protection required by EU
countries and Switzerland. This gives
third party cover for bodily injury or
11damage to property. The British Council If you are in Italy and your UK driving
is unable to recommend specific licence is lost, stolen or expires you will
insurance companies. not be able to renew it with
the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Many insurers offer 24-hour UK Agency (DVLA). You will need to apply to
telephone numbers in case you need the DVLA for a ‘certificate of entitlement’
help in an emergency. Make sure you in Italian to be able to apply for an Italian
have these details with you when you driving licence.
travel abroad. The website of the
Association of British Insurers Driving in the UK with an Italian
(www.abi.org.uk) has general information licence
on driving abroad, including a document Until the end of the transition period,
‘Motoring Abroad’ which has useful you can still use your Italian licence in
information on Motor Insurance cover the UK for short visits or exchange it for
and Green Cards. A Green Card is an a UK licence without taking a test. These
internationally recognised document rules may change from 1 January 2021.
that provides evidence that the policy The FCO will update their guidance page
holder has minimum insurance cover. once more information is available.
If you require information on driver Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to
licensing you should contact Drivers Italy
Customer Services (DCS), Read the FCO’s guidance on taking a
Correspondence Team DVLA, Swansea vehicle out of the UK.
SA6 7JL (Tel: 0300 790 6801, or using
the online email service which can be
If you move to Italy with your UK-
found here: www.gov.uk/contact-the-
registered car, you must register your
dvla/y. Information on vehicle licensing
car with Italian licence plates within 60
or registration can be obtained from
days of being officially resident in Italy. If
Vehicle Customer Services (VCS), DVLA,
not, your car may be impounded.
Swansea SA99 1AR (Tel: 0300 790
6802). There is also a website at
www.dvla.gov.uk. UK licenses are Be aware that from the moment you
recognised in all EU countries plus start the process of registering your car
Switzerland, for as long as they remain in Italy you will not be able to use your
valid. car, until you get your new
documentation and licence plates. For
Driving licence rules will stay the same more information, contact an Ufficio
until 31 December 2020. Motorizzazione Civile (in Italian).
You can read the European Union’s
If you are resident in Italy, exchange guidance on car registration and
your UK licence for an Italian one before taxes in Italy. You may be exempt from
31 December 2020. some of these taxes. If so, you will need
certificates of exemption.
For information on driving in Italy, read
the guidance on: 4.7. TAKING PETS ABROAD
• what you need to drive abroad There are a variety of rules assistants
• driving licence exchange and must follow to ensure they are compliant
renewals when taking pets abroad / returning
• contacting an Ufficio Motorizzazione them to the UK. Please check the FCO
Civile (in Italian) and Italian Government website for
more information. You may also wish to
12consider pet travel insurance to ensure going abroad. If it’s a temporary move,
that any pets are covered for tell them when you’re coming back.
emergency treatment whilst in Italy.
You must also tell HMRC if you’re leaving
4.8. GRADUATES WITH STUDENT the UK.
LOANS
4.10. INSURANCE
If you will be overseas for more than
three months, you will need to let Whilst it may seem like an inconvenient
student finance know. Complete an cost at this stage, it is highly
Overseas Income Assessment Form recommended to take out
to enable the Student Loans Company to appropriate insurance for your time
calculate how much you need to repay. abroad. You will not be insured under
On the Overseas Income Assessment the Italian National Health system
Form you should provide them with because you will not be paying
details of your circumstances and contributions from your monthly
prospective income. allowance. When choosing cover, please
think carefully about what you would like
to happen in the event of sickness / an
Whilst in Italy the money you receive is
accident / death. It is also advised to
considered a monthly allowance or a
discuss insurance options with partners,
grant, rather than a salary. This means
family members or a close friend.
you are officially taking part in a grant
funded mobility programme rather than
formal employment. Last year assistants You are strongly recommended to take
who declared their Language Assistant out Personal Accident Travel insurance
role as formal employment rather than a for the period between leaving home
grant funded mobility programme faced and taking up your appointment, the
challenges with the Student Loans time during your appointment and also
Company, who requested copies of the period between ending your
employment contracts in English. appointment and your return to the UK.
This should include the following
standard elements of cover:
You will be required to provide evidence
of income or means of support. They will
then send you a repayment schedule • Medical costs for treatment in case of
showing how much you need to pay illness or accidental injury
each month. Your monthly payments will • Benefits for permanent disabling
be based upon the earnings threshold injuries, e.g. rehabilitation and living
for your destination country. More costs
information can be found online here. • Benefits for death and costs of
Please note that the British Council repatriation
cannot advise further on student • Cover for loss or damage to your
loans matters. personal belongings
• Cover for cancelled flights, e.g. if the
4.9. BENEFITS / UNIVERSAL airline goes out of business or on strike
• Personal Liability cover. This provides
CREDIT legal support and covers financial costs
if you cause injury or property damage
If you are in receipt of government to others and are found personally
support in the UK, you must inform the liable.
authorities that you are moving to work • 24hr emergency assistance helpline.
abroad. Tell your local Jobcentre Plus or
the office that pays your benefit if you’re
13Many policies also have legal expenses Insurance whilst in post
cover, which is recommended in case
you need legal assistance while It is our understanding that you will be
overseas. The British Council is unable insured privately by your school for the
to advise on private insurance period from 01 October 2020 until 31
packages. You are recommended to May 2021. However, the Ministry cannot
consult an insurance broker for guarantee that the cover will start in all
professional advice and to check schools on 01 October as it may take up
whether you are covered by your to two months to set this up. It is
parents’ or family’s insurance policy. important to check with your school
Undergraduate assistants may find that exactly what is covered under their
a “study abroad” policy purchased insurance and whether an excess must
online is an option. Please be aware that be paid. Please contact the ministry
some insurance policies, usually immediately if your school has not taken
“backpackers” insurance, do not allow out insurance for you.
for trips home during the year and it is
important to check the small print of Insurance for travel outside of Italy
your policy to make sure that you are
covered. Experience from previous language
assistants has told us that holidays
Personal Accident Travel policies are provide the possibility for travel around
readily available on price comparison or outside of Italy, if you do leave Italy at
websites, or by using a search engine to any point; it is highly advised to take out
search for ‘travel insurance’. The UK insurance for the country / countries
Foreign & Commonwealth website offers that you visit.
additional advice on taking out Travel
Insurance: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-
In addition to health insurance, it would
insurance.
be wise to consider insuring your
personal possession. You should also
Many insurers are excluding Covid-19 as
check your parent’s household
a cause of travel delay or medical
insurance as this sometimes covers
expenses. Please check carefully that
possessions away from home.
your policy does include, as a minimum,
Furthermore, cover for personal liability
medical expenses as a result of Covid-
is often overlooked but it is extremely
19. Currently, providers such as
important. If you were the cause of an
Endsleigh and Alpha are still providing
accident of any kind – e.g. cycling on the
this cover on their gap year policies, so
road – the resulting costs, practical and
they may be an option, if the other
legal, could be high.
elements of cover meet your individual
needs.
You will also need to take your National
Insurance Number with you abroad.
You can also hear more about insurance
on our dedicated podcast episode, where
we talk about the importance of The British Council will not be
insurance with a former English responsible for you whilst you are in
language assistant who was involved in Italy, although we will offer support
a major car crash in Spain, as well as the when necessary. You are therefore
British Council's Head of Insurance for required to take out comprehensive
advice on policies. insurance to cover you during your
whole time abroad.
145. HEALTH AND in. You should contact your Azienda
Sanitaria Locale for more information.
WELLBEING
5.2. EHIC
Please see the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office website for more If you are resident in Italy, you must not
information regarding healthcare in Italy: use your UK-issued European Health
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare- Insurance Card (EHIC) for healthcare in
in-italy Italy.
5.1. HEALTHCARE When you travel from Italy for a
temporary stay in another European
If you’re living in Italy or move there Economic Area (EEA) country or
permanently before 31 December 2020,
Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to
you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in
Italy as you do now, provided you access state-provided healthcare in that
remain resident. country. During that short stay:
• the EHIC covers treatment that is
Read the FCO’s guidance on accessing
medically necessary until your
healthcare in Italy and how to register.
planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for
After you have registered your
comprehensive travel insurance
residency, you need to register with the
Italian National Health Service (Servizio • for more information, read the
Sanitario Nazionale – SSN) through your FCO’s travel advice pages and advice
local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria on foreign travel insurance pages
Locale – ASL).
If you are registered for public
You can register for free with the SSN if: healthcare as a resident in Italy, and are
travelling outside of Italy, carry your
• you have a work contract, are self- Italian European health card (Tessera
employed in Italy or are an immediate Europea di Assicurazione Malattia –
family member of someone who is TEAM) with you.
• you are an immediate family member
of an Italian citizen There will be no changes to your
• you hold an Attestazione di healthcare access before 31 December
Soggiorno Permanente 2020. You can also continue to use your
• you become unemployed after EHIC, as you did before, during this time.
having worked in Italy, and register
on the employment lists (liste di You should also read guidance on:
collocamento). This also applies if you
register for a professional training • healthcare and studying abroad
course while you are unemployed • finding an English-speaking doctor in
Italy
• you hold a UK social security form,
• checking your prescriptions are legal in
such as an S1 form for pensioners
Italy
If you do not fall into one of the above Be aware that each country’s healthcare
system is different. Services that cost
categories you may be able to register
you nothing at home might not be free
with SSN by paying an annual fee. This in Italy. The EHIC is not an alternative to
depends on the region of Italy you live
15travel insurance. It does not cover any some of the differences between English
private healthcare or costs such as a law and practice and that of other
return flight to your home country or countries.
lost / stolen property.
Mental Health: Travelling Abroad
Checklist
5.3. MEDICATION www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/
uploads/attachment_data/file/466425/Me
If you take regular medication, please ntal_Health_Checklist_-_Final.pdf
ensure that you have a supply before
you leave. It is also important to find out We also have a Podcast episode
where your nearest doctor, dentist and discussing the importance of Language
hospital are as soon as you arrive. You Assistants looking after their wellbeing.
should ask your school for information
about the facilities in your area and
always advise staff and your landlord of
any medical conditions.
6. ARRIVAL
6.1. INDUCTION MEETING
5.4. MENTAL HEALTH
It is likely that you will be invited to an
Although working abroad can be induction course hosted by the Italian
enjoyable, it can also be challenging. authorities for all language assistants in
Lack of familiar support systems, Italy. In previous years, this has been
disrupted daily routines, language held at the end of September however
barriers, culture shock and unexpected the date and location of the induction
situations can intensify stress levels course has not yet been confirmed for
rather than alleviate them. 2020/21. Once this has been confirmed
it will be communicated to all assistants
Your mental health is just as important immediately, therefore we kindly ask
as your physical health. Therefore, it is that you keep an eye on your emails
advised that you read this information over the summer for information
even if you are not currently suffering regarding this.
from mental health problems.
Please be aware that this year, the
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office induction meeting may be held virtually.
provides information about mental
health and travel via the following links.: For assistants allocated in Trentino-Alto
• www.gov.uk/government/publicati Adige, the regional authorities will
ons/mental-health inform you of your separate induction
• www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign- meeting.
travel-advice-for-people-with-
mental-health-issues
The leaflets hyperlinked above and 7. SETTLING IN
below contain guidance on travelling
abroad and mental health, and 7.1. ACCOMMODATION
information about how the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) is able to Your school is not obliged to provide or
assist British nationals with mental find you accommodation, but they may
health needs abroad. The leaflets detail be able to offer you somewhere
the type of assistance you may find in temporary to stay for the first few days
the country. The leaflet also explains or weeks, thus giving you some time to
16look for permanent accommodation. Please note that the British Council is
However, you should not assume that not in a position to provide or to help
your school will be able to do this, find accommodation.
therefore you should discuss your
arrival and initial accommodation Once you arrive in Italy the following
arrangements with them in advance. suggestions may be of interest:
Please note that if your school does • advertise on the school/staff
offer you accommodation, you are not notice board and ask around the
obliged to accept it. If you do accept staff; do NOT advertise in local
accommodation offered to you by the papers or public places
school, please remember that you will • buy the local newspapers early in
have to abide by the school’s rules. the morning and telephone likely
numbers immediately
The first thing to do when looking for • ring the local university halls of
permanent accommodation is to ask residence or check their flat
your mentor teacher if they can share adverts and notices, or
recommend anything. For example, they advertise on their notice board
may know a local family with a room to that you are looking for a room
rent, or already have somewhere in • ask local friends'/acquaintances'
mind for you to stay. Even if they cannot landlords if they have any further
help, their local knowledge of the area is accommodation to let
invaluable. • write to or visit as soon as
possible any student or youth
Consider going to your teaching location organisations in the area that
to arrange accommodation in advance might have details of available
of starting your job. Past assistants have lodgings: the local tourist office
emphasised the need to look for may have a list of such
accommodation as early as possible, organisations
especially if you are staying in popular • find out about local religious
cities such as Siena or Bologna. The first organisations as they often know
weeks of your assistantship will be busy of rooms to let
as you will be finding your way around • accommodation agencies may be
an unfamiliar town, dealing with able to help but you should be
bureaucracy and trying to make a good very wary of paying large fees
impression at school. Having and deposits, and always read
accommodation lined up can make this the small print in any leases or
easier. For temporary lodgings while you agreements to be signed. Look
look for something more permanent, for small agencies as often their
investigate the possibility of staying in a fees are lower
youth hostel or an Air BnB. Do not take • ask the local APT (Azienda di
out a contract on your accommodation Promozione Turistica) if they
until you know the locations of your have accommodation listings
school(s). • search for a room or flat on the
internet
We also have a Language Assistants
Podcast episode talking with a former Some websites you may find useful
English Language Assistant about the are:
different types of accommodation
Language Assistants could consider
when moving abroad. Temporary accommodation:
• www.hostelbookers.com
• www.hostelworld.com
17Permanent accommodation: contract with utility companies. It is also
likely to be required If you undertake
• www.easystanza.it work in a private language school to
• www.kijiji.it/ supplement your income.
• www.subito.it
• www.mioaffitto.it This tax code can be obtained at the
• www.bakeca.it local Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian
• www.wantedinrome.com Revenue Agency). As experiences vary
• http://milan.wantedineurope.com widely, you would be well advised to
check for information locally (in your
school) before obtaining one. Former
We recommend that you take photos of assistants have stressed the importance
your room and the flat when you move of having a Codice Fiscale and have
into your long-term accommodation and recommended that you carry it with you
when you leave to help you get back at all times.
any deposit you may have to pay, which
is usually dependent on the The process for obtaining a Codice
accommodation being in the same Fiscale can vary greatly, but in general
condition as when you first arrived. you could follow these instructions:
When you leave your accommodation, • Bring your passport or national
remember to cancel any personal identity card to your nearest
contracts e.g. internet or utilities. Agenzia delle Entrate office,
which you can find here.
When you do find accommodation, Unfortunately it is not possible to
please ensure that you have checked make an online appointment, we
health and safety issues (temporary and would therefore advise you to
long term) such as fire alarms and exits, check the timetable of your
gas leaks, electric, water etc. designated office and go as early
as possible
When signing a rental agreement, please • Ask for a Codice Fiscale form and
be aware of the notice period given. It is take a number from the front
recommended to desk
include a ‘diplomatic clause’ in the rental • Fill out the form (personal and
agreement to allow for a shorter notice address information). Please be
period in the event that the rental aware that the form is in Italian so
agreement needs to be terminated you may want to bring a
prematurely due to force dictionary with you
majeure (including in the event of a • When your number is called on
pandemic or a travel warning officially screen, go to the sportello
issued by a government). This is advised (window) displayed and give
particularly in the light of the current them your form
Covid-19 pandemic. • They will then give you a piece of
officially stamped paper with
7.2. CODICE FISCALE your number, and your card will
arrive later by post
A codice fiscale is the tax code card in
Italy, similar to the National Insurance The following governmental website
Number in the United Kingdom. The card provides some useful information on
serves to identify individuals residing in how to obtain the tax identification
Italy. You’ll need a codice fiscale in Italy number: Codice Fiscale.
for things like opening a bank or postal
account, registering a vehicle in Italy,
signing a lease for a flat or signing a
187.3. CREATING SOCIAL local language school, join Erasmus
societies (at a local university), offer
NETWORKS English lessons to colleagues/locals, join
a club and join assistant groups on
Even if you have been to Italy before, it social networks such as Facebook.
is possible that you will find some things There are often Facebook groups for
strange at first and will need a little time people who are new to the city/town,
to settle in. On arrival, the thought of which organise different events to help
making friends and mixing with the people make new friends - just search
locals can seem like a daunting task, but for ‘new in “city name”’ Previous
as long as you are prepared to put assistants have also suggested joining a
yourself out there, it is a part of the local Couchsurfing group as they often
experience which previous assistants organise social activities.
have found the most enriching. Give
yourself some time to adjust – you don’t You should be very careful about how
need to feel like a local within a week you use social networking sites while
and in the beginning you will have a lot you are a language assistant. Keep
of administrative matters to deal with. your profile private so that it can only
be seen by people you intend to see
The best way to start is with colleagues it. If you invite other teachers to be
at school. Make sure you always seem ‘friends’, remember to remain
positive, enthusiastic and willing to learn. professional in what you say on your
Socialise as much as you can with profile and be careful about what you
colleagues and accept all invitations to write about your employer.
events, dinner etc. tell people what your
interests are and ask them to let you You should not exchange personal
know what’s going on in the local area. contact details with students, invite
Do keep in mind however that teachers them to be ‘friends’ or accept similar
can be very busy, especially during invitations from them. This is likely to
exam time. be regarded as inappropriate
behaviour. Check with teachers about
Apart from your work in the classroom, the school’s internet policy,
you may be able to attend other classes particularly regarding any online
in subjects which interest you. You will communication involving students
find that you become much more either in or outside of school.
integrated into school life and gain
considerably more from your stay if you It is exceptionally important that you
become involved in activities organised understand issues around child
by the school such as sports days, protection, both to protect the
theatre or music productions or modern students and also to protect you from
language societies. Go to school open any damaging and potentially serious
days or parents evenings as these are accusations.
also a good way of meeting people. If
you hear about something which
Here are some other ways to meet
interests you, ask if you can become
people within the area:
involved. Don’t wait to be invited, as
people may assume that you’re not
• Live with other students/native
interested.
speakers
• Enrol for an evening class; join a
Another excellent way to meet new
sports club, music group, choir etc.
people is to set up language exchanges
• Enquire about joining the local
with local people who want to practice
university and attending lectures
their English. You could also enroll at a
19• Get involved in the local culture and If you have been appointed to a smaller
join clubs that you couldn’t join in town or to a place where there is little or
the UK no possibility of access to a university
• Volunteer for a charity, society, you should not ignore study
festival, etc. opportunities offered by local cultural
centres, institutes, libraries and colleges
Former assistants have recommended of further or continuing education. Much
not spending all of your time with other can also be gained from sitting in on
assistants, as you won’t be able to school lessons in a variety of subjects.
integrate into your community and life in
Italy. On the other hand, don’t feel that 7.5. SETTLING IN TO SCHOOL
you must cut yourself off from them –
assistants can provide a very good LIFE
support network for each other, as you
understand each other’s experiences. Starting any new job can be a daunting
Don’t forget that there may be language experience, no matter how confident a
assistants from other countries in your person you are. It’s completely normal
area. You may wish to ask your to be unsure of where to go, what to do
employer if they have contact details. or who to talk to at the beginning.
As a golden rule, try to say yes to You will have to make an effort to get to
every social opportunity presented to know your colleagues. Showing that you
you that does not compromise your are enthusiastic and keen to get to know
personal safety. Accept invitations to staff will go a long way. Start with a
places and activities even if they do not simple hello or ask how their weekend
sound interesting as you might meet went. Learning some simple
other people there who do share your conversation starters in the target
interests language is always useful. Remember
however that you will be working in a
school environment therefore staff may
7.4. STUDY OPPORTUNITIES not have a lot of free time. Don’t be put
off if a teacher doesn’t have time to talk
If you wish to attend lectures on a part-
to you in the first instance, they may be
time basis, you should obtain
in-between or preparing for a class. It
information before departure from the
doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t
Italian Embassy or the Italian Cultural
want to talk to you.
Institute in the UK and more detailed
information on arrival from the overseas
Whilst it’s important to get to know the
student office of the institution
colleagues you will be directly working
concerned.
with, it’s always useful to get to know
other staff too. Try introducing yourself
You are advised to take with you your
to staff you may not directly work with,
birth certificate, copies of your GCSE
for example teachers in other
and A-Level certificates and, if possible,
departments, lunch time staff,
a letter from your academic sponsor in
receptionists, caretakers etc. If there are
the UK confirming your present
social occasions or team meetings try to
academic status. Holders of student
make an effort to attend. It’s a great way
cards from foreign universities are often
to get to know colleagues in a different
eligible for a number of benefits
environment.
including subsidised meals,
accommodation services, reductions on
Language Assistants that are proactive
theatre and cinema tickets etc.
and take the initiative often settle into
school life much faster. Being a self-
20starter is a great way to make a strong
first impression. Teachers are often very If you wish to supplement your income
busy and will certainly appreciate your by giving private tuition in English, you
efforts to help and try to make an are strongly advised not to advertise in
impact.
local papers or public places. In general
pupils interested in private tuition are
easily found through school or private
8. MONEY MATTERS connections, i.e. by word of mouth.
However, it is essential to check that the
8.1. MONTHLY ALLOWANCE other English teachers in your school(s)
do not mind, so that you are not
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€).
Your monthly allowance will be €850 perceived to be ‘stealing’ their private
per month net. This will be paid by the pupils. The going rate for private one-to-
school generally by the 5th day of the one tuition seems to be €10-25 per hour
following month. depending on how much preparation for
the lesson you plan to do and how much
Your allowance will be higher if you your pupils can afford.
are placed in the Trentino-Alto Adige
region and as payments are made by It is your own responsibility to ensure
the regional departments, assistants that any additional work does
in this region are unlikely to be
not interfere with your responsibilities as
affected by payment delays. Budgets
to schools are disbursed twice a year, in a Language Assistant. You should always
November and in February. It is discuss additional work with your
therefore likely that the first payment of employer and be aware of any tax
your allowance may not arrive until late implications of additional earnings,
November. Therefore, you should particularly following Brexit.
ensure that you take around €1000 to
€1500 or a credit card with you to cover
8.2. ERASMUS+ GRANTS
initial costs, which will be higher in Rome
and the big cities. British bankcards with
Language assistants who are currently
the Cirrus logo are widely accepted in
on their compulsory year abroad may be
Italian cash-points so you may wish to
entitled to an Erasmus+ grant. Please
leave this money in a British account,
contact the Erasmus coordinator at your
although you should check with your
university for further information.
bank whether you will be charged a fee
for withdrawals.
Please note that the British Council is
not the employer or traineeship
Please note that, because the Italian
provider of English Language Assistants.
financial year ends on 31 December,
This means that we are unable to
assistants have sometimes experienced
complete any Erasmus+ related
significant delays in receiving their pay
documents and you should not put the
during the months of January and
British Council as your traineeship
February. If there is a delay, you should
provider. You should put the name of
let your school know about the situation
your host institution once you receive
immediately and contact the Ministry via
these details. Our understanding is that
the email: assistentilingue@istruzione.it. there is a one month grace period
following the start of your placement in
Please also contact the British which to submit any Erasmus+
Council in the UK to inform us of any documents, however individual
delays in payment. universities and Erasmus+ coordinators
21will have their own internal deadlines.
Please liaise with the Erasmus+ You may also find this glossary of
coordinator at your university should banking terms in Italian and English
you have any questions. useful: www.webmatic.it/workO/s/140/pr-
2472-file_en-italian-english.pdf
8.3. CURRENCY AND BANKS
8.4. INCOME TAX
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€).
Banks are usually open from 08.30 to The UK has a double taxation agreement
13.30. They reopen at 15.00 or 15.30 with Italy to make sure you do not pay
and close for the day at 16.00 or 17.00. tax on the same income in both
Most banks are open Monday through countries. Ask the relevant tax authority
Friday and close for the weekend. your questions about double taxation
Unfortunately, there is no uniformity to relief.
opening and closing times but the
general guidelines given above provide Existing double taxation arrangements
reasonable guidance. for UK nationals living in Italy have not
changed.
Opening a bank account in Italy can be a
complicated process and you pay for You can read guidance about:
the service, so some assistants manage
without. Some banks will not allow
• telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live
customers to open an account until they
abroad
have been a resident in Italy for six
• the tax on your UK income if you live
months. You can, however, open a
libretto di risparmio (a savings abroad
account) but should seek advice as to • paying income tax in Italy
which type and how to go about
opening it, as savings account vary from You should get professional advice on
place to place. Some former assistants paying tax in Italy. You can find a tax
have reported that by obtaining a adviser or business consultant
codice fiscale, (see section 7.2.) a bank (commercialista) at the British Chamber
account can be opened with relative of Commerce for Italy or Centro Assistenza
ease. Former assistants have also Fiscale – Tax Assistance Centre (CAF), or
advised that they needed an Italian find an English-speaking lawyer.
phone number prior to opening a bank
account. Under this agreement British assistants
are normally exempt from Italian income
If you do plan to open an Italian bank tax for a period of up to two years.
account, you are advised to wait until However, it is normally the case that
you arrive in your town of appointment 100% of the remuneration received
in Italy before opening it. This will allow abroad will be liable for UK tax. It is
you to research all of the local options, important to know that the agreement
seek recommendations and choose only covers teaching jobs. You might be
what will be most convenient for the rest taxed for non-teaching jobs and should
of the year. A former assistant check how much you are allowed to
recommended getting a pre-paid debit earn per year without having to pay
card (carta prepagata) available from taxes.
most banks or at the Post Office
(postepay). The following website has You are reminded that the UK tax year
more information on this kind of card: extends from 06 April 2020 until 05
www.cartedipagamento.com/carte_prepa April 2021 and that income earned in
gate.htm. the UK between April and the start of
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