The “PluM Classes”: A Nationwide Project on Inclusive Plurilingual Education in Italy

This paper explores the crucial role of teacher training in plurilingual education, emphasizing the necessity for teachers to acquire specific competencies for the efficient management of plurilingual resources. A nationally representative sample of 1,234 teachers from across all Italian regions, encompassing various educational levels—from nursery to secondary school, as well as university—participated in the study. The research identifies gaps in existing training programs, emphasizing the need for more targeted actions and sociolinguistic considerations. Within this framework, the “PluM Classes” project focuses on plurilingual and multicultural classes, with a key objective of comprehensively grasping the current landscape of teacher training. Preliminary findings emphasize the necessity of a dual intervention: supporting in-service teachers while simultaneously preparing future plurilingual teachers. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of continuous evaluation and targeted professional development to foster inclusive and effective plurilingual practices.