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

Linguistic and Language Teaching Area

• Develop specialized proficiency in the Italian language system with respect to its phonological, morphological, syntactic, textual, and lexical aspects, as well as the relationship between language and context (situational, social, and cultural)
• Acquire knowledge of, and be able to apply, the principles and operative models of language pedagogy and educational linguistics in relation to the various groups of foreign learners that the teacher of Italian as a Second/Foreign Language (LS/L2) may work with, both within and beyond Italy
• Gain solid theoretical foundations and develop practical-operational skills enabling one, including through the use of new technologies, to design and propose teaching activities and systematic assessment tools that are coherent with specific language learning pathways and objectives as outlined in the CEFR and other European documents
• Acquire theoretical foundations in language proficiency assessment and related practical skills in order to develop language tests and to demonstrate and ensure their validity
• Critically reflect on the pragmatic relationships among linguistic expression, intention, and social context, in a comparative perspective across different languages and cultures
• Foster intercultural understanding and dialogue in multiethnic and multilingual social contexts
• Understand and be able to present the historical processes of formation and development of the Italian language, the drivers of linguistic unification, and the relationships between Italian, dialects, and regional varieties, both from a historical and contemporary perspective
• Understand and be able to illustrate the areas and phases that have characterized the spread and vitality of Italian abroad as a language of culture and as a lingua franca, as well as the current global demand for Italian and the main motivations behind learning Italian language and culture
• Understand the current sociolinguistic landscape of Italy and the languages of new media, including with respect to the design of innovative teaching tools
• Develop specific knowledge related to the languages, socio-cultural realities, and literary heritage of a European country (and/or East Asia or the Arab world)

Philological and Literary Area

• Become familiar with Italian authors and literary works in relation to genres and to the historical-cultural contexts of different eras, also from a comparative perspective
• Become acquainted with the main critical and interpretative methodologies for texts from the Italian literary tradition
• Understand the main methods for critical editions of texts, especially in relation to the interaction between philology and language history
• Be able to interpret literary texts, situating them within appropriate critical frameworks and applying key tools for historical, philological, linguistic, rhetorical-stylistic, and hermeneutic analysis, also with a view to developing effective teaching strategies for Italian literature and cultural heritage for foreign learners

Historical-Political and Art History Area

• Understand and interpret the historical events that have shaped Italy from the 19th to the 21st century, in terms of both national developments and the country’s position within the broader European and international context
• Understand and be able to illustrate the manifestations and evolutionary processes of Italian civilization, with reference to the history of ideas, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, in their uniqueness and continual interaction with historical contexts, with particular attention to figures and movements with significant international resonance
• Become familiar with the leading artists and stylistic movements of Italian art, with particular reference to the rich artistic heritage of Umbria, and be able to navigate comparisons across different eras and trends
• Be able to outline and foster a personal engagement with Italian musicians of the past, highlighting comparisons with contemporary trends in the artistic marketplace: economics, business, advertising, and music management

Within the Linguistics track, students will also acquire knowledge of a distant language (Chinese, Arabic, or Japanese) and focus their training and development of practical skills on specific sectors and fields of theoretical and applied linguistics.

Within the Cultural-Identity track, students will deepen their theoretical preparation, strengthening their practical and research skills in the most significant sectors of our cultural tradition, in relation to those historical factors that underpin national identity and its international projection.

In both tracks, a solid foundation in language teaching and cultural studies is enriched by seminars, workshops, and professional activities with a specific focus on teaching Italian to foreign learners.

Overlapping coursework is possible between the two tracks through elective modules.

The main objective of the master’s degree programme is to prepare future teachers of Italian as a second language (teaching certification class A23).

Additionally, ItaS graduates are also qualified for teaching certification classes A12 (Literary Subjects in Secondary Schools, Upper Level) and A22 (Italian, History, Geography in Lower Secondary Schools).

Their in-depth knowledge of Italian civilization also equips graduates to work in organizations and institutions dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture abroad and the enhancement of Italian cultural heritage.

Career Opportunities:

• teacher of Italian as a non-native language in public schools in Italy and abroad (teaching certification class A23, "Italian Language for Learners of Foreign 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, Adult Education Centres (CPIA), and other cultural or humanitarian organizations, in Italy and abroad, also with organizational or managerial responsibilities for Italian language and culture courses
• language specialist and collaborator in Italian language and culture courses, at university language centres, and centres for language competency assessment and verification
• Italian language lector in universities and schools abroad
• cultural officer at Italian diplomatic missions abroad, including Italian Cultural Institutes, and at organizations and foundations engaged in promoting the Italian language and culture abroad
• editor and journalist in the field of publishing, both traditional and multimedia, focused on language teaching and Italian culture
• consultant and collaborator in public and private schools for the integration and linguistic support of foreign students
• language and cultural mediator or facilitator
• researcher or field worker in research projects relating to various aspects of Italian studies and linguistics, both theoretical and applied

Based on the agreement with the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia), a double degree program is also available, allowing students to obtain both the ItAS master's degree, awarded by the University for Foreigners of Perugia, and the master's degree in Italian Language and Literature (LILE) - offered by the Faculty of Interdisciplinary, Italian and Cultural Studies at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia).

According to the agreement with the University of Lorraine (France), a double degree program is also available, enabling students to obtain both the ItaS master's degree, awarded by the University for Foreigners of Perugia, and the “Master MEEF - Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation, mention 2nd degré, Parcours italien” master's degree awarded by the University of Lorraine (Nancy campus).

* The ECTS credits for foreign language courses include 3 ECTS taught by a native speaker language assistant.

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

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

To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, a university diploma of at least three years' duration, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable.

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

• possess the required curricular prerequisites
• undergo a non-selective interview to assess their individual preparation. Candidates may take the interview only if they meet the curricular requirements. A non-selective practical test is also required to ascertain basic IT skills.

Curricular Requirements

To enroll in the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, students must demonstrate prior curricular knowledge totaling 54 ECTS credits in the following academic fields (SSD):

A tolerance of up to 10% (equivalent to 6 ECTS credits) of the required credits is permitted. Any relevant language and/or IT certifications and/or internship experiences may be included in the total, provided they are recognized as pertaining to the indicated fields and sectors. Any additional ECTS credits required to meet the curricular prerequisites must be obtained—prior to enrollment in the Master's Degree Programme and the assessment interview—at any university, as “individual courses” within first-cycle study programmes.

For the procedures to enroll in “individual courses” at this University, please refer to the Academic Regulations.

The verification of curricular requirements will be carried out by the Degree Programmes and Teaching Office, to which students can submit their documentation via e-mail to segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or deliver it directly to the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).

To complete the verification of curricular requirements, students must present the following documents:

• a copy of the degree certificate (for graduates), including a list of examinations taken, the credits earned, and the corresponding scientific-disciplinary sectors;
• a copy of the transcript of exams taken and to be taken (for graduating students), indicating the credits already earned and due to be earned, and the corresponding scientific-disciplinary sectors.