Sportellino: a multilingual chatbot for migrants in ItalyCEFR A2
24 Apr 2026
Adapted from Marisa Petricca, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Martina Picciau, Unsplash
Sportellino is a multilingual chatbot launched to help migrants in Italy. It was developed in a master's programme at Sapienza University of Rome. Users can start by scanning a QR code and then use the service on WhatsApp or Telegram. The chatbot is free, anonymous, ad-free and available day and night. No registration or sensitive personal data is requested.
The answers come from official sources and are checked by professionals. Sportellino is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto and Ukrainian, among other languages. By March 2026 it had reached about 10,000 users, with a peak of new users in October 2025.
Difficult words
- multilingual — able to use or speak many languages
- migrant — a person who moves to another countrymigrants
- scan — to move a device over a code to read itscanning
- anonymous — without a name or personal identity shown
- sensitive — private information that must be protected
- registration — the process of signing up or joining
- professional — a trained person who does a jobprofessionals
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which language would you choose to use Sportellino and why?
- Would you feel comfortable using an anonymous chatbot for help? Why or why not?
- Do you think a free service is important for migrants? Explain briefly.
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