Addresses the question of whether teachers of Italian would be more effective if they understood current Italian adolescent talk. Reports a study that was carried out by University of Toronto researchers to determine this talk's characteristics. Forcefully argues that such talk become the Italian second-language teacher's primary focus. (CFM)

The Department of Italian Studies at the University of Toronto focuses on language training by relating other components of foreign language study (literature, linguistics, etc.) directly to the language training process. The department features a streaming system (beginner, native-speaker, and matriculant) which places students of linguistically…