History
From humble beginnings to the present day...
Dottoressa Giuseppina Pravato graduated from the University of Urbino in Italy in 1981 with a degree in Comparative European Languages and Literature.
In the past 30+ years she has been actively involved with promoting the Italian Language and culture in Europe, Middle East and throughout South East Asia.
She has a working knowledge of 6 major languages and is fluent in 3.
She firmly believes that the teaching and learning of any language is an ongoing process which requires motivation, curiousity, discipline and love for the language, its history, the people who speak it and the culture which embodies these.
Prior to moving to Singapore in 1994, she worked for two major organizations in London over a span of 14 years. As early as 1981, she worked for the then National Autistic Society, NAS ( now the Royal Autistic Society) in London where she was part of a team of researchers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists and parents of Autistic children to formulate ideas and strategies to increase awareness in the general public on Autism. This lead to setting up of special schools and courses for Autistic children to help with their growth and to assist in their possible integration into the society.
Following her successful career with the NAS, she joined the National Union of Teachers where she worked for 6 years in the highly demanding position of International Liaison Officer. Her position at the NUT involved direct liaison with international teachers’ organizations helping them set up schools and libraries in various parts of the world. The humanitarian aspects of her duties as the International Liaison Officer included communication with many world leaders either directly or indirectly through the United Nations and the World University Service regarding the welfare of educators and personalities like Nelson Mandela in South Africa and many others.
In the past 12 years Giuseppina has been actively teaching and lecturing the Italian language and literature in Singapore. She was the head of the Italian Supplementary School for 6 years, held the position of Teachers Coordinator at the Italian Cultural Institute for 4 years, was the President of the Italian Cultural Society of Dante Alighieri for 5 years, and is a Past-President of the Italian Women’s Group.
She currently acts as an External Linguistic Consultant to the Italian Cultural Institute, and is an adjunct examiner of Italian to various International Schools. Concurrently Giuseppina continues with her life long passion for teaching and educating by organizing seminars and classes for Singaporeans and for the expatriate community.
In April 2009, Dottoressa Pravato was awarded a Knighthood (Cavaliere dell’ ORDINE DELLA STELLA DELLA SOLIDARIETA’ ITALIANA) by H.E. Dr. Napolitano – President of the Italian Republic.