How is TESL in Italy?

I might be going to Italy to teach English in the summer. How are the students, etc. Must you know Italian?

Well - I'm talking by general means - Italian students are not that good in English. You will probably find a few that can communicate with you almost fluently, but for the most they will have knowledge of a basic english.
As the guy up here told you, we study English at school for most of our school-life, but that doesn't mean it's taught us in a good way. We mainly know some grammar and simple sentences to communicate simple thoughts. The pronunciation will probably be really bad, 'cause in schools we don't get many opportunities to speak with a native. And you know, kids get shy in such situations.
Ad for behaviour, they'll probably be willing to learn, as everyone is (I hope) getting into the idea that fluent English is something else and it's needed in modern society.

Anyhow, better if you memorize some italian phrases?
Students will help with translations of words and even with manners and stuff (you can always communicate with signs!) - you should just try to speak clearly and slowly, repeating pronunciation so they can improve it.

I actually learnt my english abroad, and I now see what's the problem at school =)

Hope this helps and that you actually will come and have a wonderful experience.

Ciao!

You don't have to know Italian but it helps. Italians students know basic English and can communicate with you. It would be a great experience for you, go for it!

hi. I'm stefano i'm a student of english
i'm italian, i from rome, i think italian student's are very bad in english.. ,my english isn'nt good, but i'm learning english since 1994

ITALIANO: 猫 meglio se te lo dico cos矛, sono uno studente di inglese italiano, ho sempre studiato inglese ma gli studenti di inglese in italia ce ne sono pochi bravi, io parlo male eppure lo studio da 14 anni, va b猫 c'猫 da dire che io sono anche un po ignorante

I'm Italian, and I can see that students here don't learn a good english. That's because the study of a foreign language is still considered like a secondary and minor subject, while the study of latin and greek is still considered much more important. Only today they start to consider English language important as it is.
There are some students who excel because of personal interest, or travel abroad, etc. who you can ask to translate, if you need.
If you talk slowly and you compose short sentences you will be more understood.
Moreover, at the beginning, they will also understand better written sentences than spoken ones, because some italian teachers don't care a lot about pronounciation of English language when they theach it.
Italian students are more vociferous and could look ill-mannered to you. It's true that Italians are usually more noisy when talk, anyway this shouldn't prevent you from reproaching, as they're at school.
Italians are also friendly, so you will soon feel accepted and make friends.
Have a nice stay!