Master’s Degree Course in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners (ItaS)

Linguistic and Language Teaching Area

• develop specialized mastery of the Italian linguistic system in relation to phonological, morphological, syntactic, textual, and lexical aspects, as well as the relationships between language and context (situational, social, and cultural)
• understand and be able to apply principles and operational models of language teaching and educational linguistics, in relation to the diverse groups of foreign learners whom teachers of Italian as a Foreign/Second Language must address (both within and outside national borders)
• acquire a solid theoretical foundation and develop practical operational skills that enable, including through the use of new technologies, the design and proposal of teaching activities and systematic assessment tasks that are coherent and consistent with clearly defined language learning paths and objectives, as indicated and described in the CEFR and other European documents
• acquire theoretical foundations in the assessment of language proficiency and the related operational skills to develop language tests, demonstrating and guaranteeing their validity
• be able to reflect on the pragmatic relationships between linguistic expression, intention, and social context in a comparative perspective between different languages and cultures
• be able to foster understanding and intercultural dialogue in multiethnic and multilingual social contexts
• know and be able to illustrate the historical process of formation and development of the Italian language, the factors behind linguistic unification, and the relationships between language, dialects, and regional varieties from both a historical and contemporary perspective
• know and be able to illustrate the areas and phases characterizing the expansion and vitality of Italian abroad, both as a language of culture and as a vehicular language, as well as the current demand for Italian abroad and the main motivations for learning our language and civilization
• understand the sociolinguistic landscape of contemporary Italy and the languages of new media, including with regard to the development of innovative teaching tools
• develop specific knowledge related to the languages, socio-cultural context, and literary heritage of a European country (and/or from the Far East or the Arab world)

Philological-Literary Area

• know the authors and works of Italian literature in relation to literary genres and the historical-cultural context of various periods, including from a comparative perspective
• be familiar with the main critical and interpretative methodologies for texts from the Italian literary tradition
• know the main methods for the critical editing of texts, also in relation to the link between philology and linguistic history
• be able to interpret literary texts, situating them within an appropriate critical framework and applying primary tools of historical, philological, linguistic, rhetorical-stylistic, and hermeneutic analysis, including for the development of effective teaching strategies in the instruction of Italian literature and cultural heritage to foreigners

Historical-Political and Art History Area

• know and be able to interpret the historical events affecting Italy from the 19th to the 21st centuries, both with regard to national events and to the country's place in the broader European and international context
• know and be able to illustrate the manifestations and developmental processes of Italian civilization, with reference to the history of ideas, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, considering their distinctiveness and their ongoing interaction with historical contexts, with particular attention to figures and movements of broader international significance
• know the principal artists and stylistic schools in Italian art, with particular reference to the rich artistic heritage of Umbria, and be able to navigate comparisons between different eras and trends
• be able to outline and encourage a personal engagement with past Italian musicians, in comparison with modern and contemporary trends in the artistic market: economics, business, advertising, and music management

In the Linguistic track, students will also acquire knowledge of a less commonly taught language (Chinese or Arabic or Japanese) and will focus their preparation and the development of operational skills in specific fields and directions of theoretical and applied linguistics.

In the Cultural-Identity track, students will deepen their theoretical preparation, enhancing operational and research skills in the most significant areas of our cultural tradition, in relation to the historical factors cohesive to national identity and its international projection.

In both tracks, a solid language teaching and cultural curriculum is enriched by seminars, workshops, and professional training activities, with a specific focus on teaching Italian to foreigners.

Mutual crossovers between the two tracks are possible thanks to elective courses.

The main objective of the Master’s degree program is to prepare future teachers of Italian as a second language (teaching qualification A23).

Graduates of ItaS may also pursue teaching opportunities in qualification A12 (Literary subjects in upper secondary schools) and A22 (Italian, history, and geography in lower secondary schools).

Graduates’ in-depth knowledge of Italian civilization also makes them suitable for employment with institutions and organizations involved in promoting the Italian language and culture abroad and in advancing Italy’s cultural heritage.

Career opportunities:

• Teacher of Italian as a non-native language in state schools in Italy and abroad (qualification A23, "Italian language for learners of foreign (alloglottic) origin")
• Teacher of Italian, history, and geography in lower secondary schools
• Teacher of literary subjects in upper secondary schools
• Teacher of Italian as a non-native language in private schools and institutions, local language centers (CPIA), and other cultural or humanitarian organizations in Italy and abroad, including roles with organizational and managerial responsibilities for Italian language and culture courses
• Language expert and collaborator in Italian language and culture courses, university language centers, and centers for assessment and evaluation of language skills
• Italian language lecturer at universities and schools abroad
• Cultural officer at Italian diplomatic and cultural institutions abroad, including Italian Cultural Institutes, and with organizations and foundations dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture abroad
• Editor and contributor in traditional or multimedia publishing in the fields of Italian language education and culture
• Consultant and collaborator in public and private schools for the integration and linguistic support of foreign students
• Linguistic and cultural mediator/facilitator
• Researcher or field operator in research projects related to various areas of Italian studies and theoretical and applied linguistics

Based on the agreement signed with the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia), a double degree programme is also available, which allows students to obtain both the ItAS Master's degree, awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, and the Master's degree in Italian Language and Literature (LILE) from the Faculty of Interdisciplinary, Italian and Cultural Studies at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia).

Based on the agreement signed with the University of Lorraine (France), a double diploma programme is also available, which allows students to obtain both the ItaS Master's degree, awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, and the Master's degree Master MEEF – Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation, mention 2nd degré, Italian Track, awarded by the University of Lorraine (Nancy campus).

* The ECTS credits for foreign language courses include 3 ECTS taught by a mother-tongue instructor/lecturer.

** Elective learning activities are independently chosen by the student from among programmes at the same level offered by the University.
Moreover, the degree programme recommends the options indicated here, as they are considered consistent with the content and educational objectives of the course.

Students can check their study plans to see which courses are compulsory, optional, or elective.

To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or a three-year university diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad and officially recognized as suitable.

In order to enroll in the aforementioned programme, students must also:

• meet the required curricular prerequisites
• undergo a non-selective interview to verify their personal preparation. The candidate may take the interview only if the curricular requirements are met. A non-selective practical test to verify computer skills is also required

Curricular Requirements

To enroll in the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, students must have obtained at least 54 ECTS credits (CFU) in the following subject areas:

A tolerance of up to 10% (equal to 6 ECTS) of the required credits is allowed. Relevant language and/or IT certifications, as well as internships deemed pertinent to the mentioned fields and sectors, may be counted. Any additional credits required to fulfill the curricular prerequisites must be obtained prior to admission to the Master’s Degree and before the individual eligibility assessment. These credits may be earned at any university by taking “single courses” included in first-cycle degree programmes.

Please refer to the academic regulations for information on enrolling in “single courses” at this University.

Verification of curricular requirements will be carried out by the Degree Programmes and Teaching Office. Students may submit their documentation by e-mail to segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or deliver it in person to the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).

For the purposes of verifying curricular requirements, students are required to present:

• a copy of the degree certificate (for graduates), including the list of exams taken with the corresponding credits and academic disciplines
• a copy of the list of exams taken and to be taken (for graduating students), with the credits acquired and to be acquired and the corresponding academic disciplines.