Teaching of the Italian Language in Somogy County between 1924 and 1943

The situation of Italian language teaching in secondary schools in Somogy County developed in a distinctive manner between the two world wars. At the turn of the century, the provision of Italian language education was virtually non-existent. It was during the tenure of the Ministry of Education under Kunó Klebelsberg that the Italian language saw a resurgence, subsequently followed by a period of stagnation and decline. The factors contributing to these fluctuations can be categorised as follows: shifts in educational policy, frequent revisions of curricula, changes in the prestige of the Italian language, and the evolution of parental and student demands. Notwithstanding these developments, the period between 1924 and 1943 merits recognition as a remarkable era in the realm of Italian language education, owing to the substantial expansion of its curriculum within numerous educational institutions. As for a comparison the paper gives a brief overview of the changes after World War 2. The activities of the Italian Cultural Institute contributed to a significant increase in the country's interest in the Italian language.