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

Linguistic and Language Teaching Area

• develop advanced expertise in the Italian linguistic system, with reference to phonological, morphological, syntactic, textual, and lexical aspects, as well as the relationship between language and context (situational, social, and cultural)
• acquire knowledge of, and the ability to apply, operational principles and models of language teaching and educational linguistics, in relation to the diverse audiences of foreign learners whom Italian LS/L2 teachers are required to address (both within and beyond national borders)
• gain a solid theoretical foundation and develop practical skills enabling the design and implementation of teaching activities and systematic assessment tools—using new technologies as appropriate—in line with well-defined pathways and objectives for language learning, as outlined and described in the CEFR and other European documents
• acquire foundational knowledge in the assessment of language skills and develop the operational capabilities needed to create language tests, demonstrating and ensuring their validity
• reflect on pragmatic relationships between linguistic expression, intent, and social context, through comparative analysis of different languages and cultures
• develop the capacity to foster intercultural understanding and dialogue in multiethnic and multilingual social settings
• understand and explain the historical process of the formation and development of the Italian language, the factors behind linguistic unification, and the relationships between the Italian language, dialects, and regional varieties in both historical and contemporary perspectives
• understand and explain the domains and key phases that have characterized the expansion and vitality of Italian abroad as a language of culture and as a lingua franca, as well as the current demand for Italian language learning abroad and the main motivations for studying our language and culture
• understand the current sociolinguistic landscape of Italy and the language of new media, including with respect to the development of innovative educational tools
• develop specialized knowledge of the languages, socio-cultural contexts, and literary traditions of a European country (and/or of East Asia or the Arabic-speaking world)

Philological and Literary Area

• gain knowledge of Italian authors and works in relation to literary genres and the historical and cultural contexts of different eras, also from a comparative perspective
• learn the principal critical and interpretive methodologies for analyzing texts from the Italian literary tradition
• understand the main methods of critical editing of texts, including the connections between philology and linguistic history
• be able to interpret literary texts, positioning them within an appropriate critical framework and applying the main tools of 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 developments affecting Italy from the 19th to the 21st century, both with regard to national events and the country’s position within the broader European and international context
• understand and explain key manifestations and processes of Italian civilization, in reference to the history of ideas, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, considering their specificity and ongoing interaction with historical contexts, with particular attention to individuals and movements of broader international significance
• be familiar with the main artists and stylistic trends of Italian art, with particular reference to the rich artistic heritage of Umbria, and be able to navigate comparisons between different periods and movements
• be able to outline and promote a personal engagement with Italian musicians of the past, placing them in dialogue with contemporary trends in the artistic market: economics, business, advertising, and music management

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

Within the Cultural-Identity curriculum, students will deepen their theoretical preparation and enhance their operational and research skills in the areas most central to our cultural tradition, with particular reference to the historical factors that underpin national identity and its international projection.

In both pathways, a robust curriculum in language teaching and culture is complemented by seminars, workshops, and professionalizing activities, all with a specific focus on teaching Italian to foreign learners.

Both tracks allow for cross-disciplinary combinations through elective courses.

The main goal of the master’s degree program is to train future teachers of Italian as a second language (teaching qualification class A23).

Additionally, ItaS graduates may also pursue careers related to teaching qualification classes A12 (Literature subjects in upper secondary schools) and A22 (Italian, history, and geography in lower secondary schools).

Their in-depth knowledge of Italian civilization also qualifies graduates for roles in organizations that promote the Italian language and culture abroad and support awareness of Italy's cultural heritage.

Career opportunities:

• Teacher of Italian as a non-native language in state schools in Italy and abroad (teaching qualification class A23, "Italian language for non-native learners")
• Teacher of Italian, history, and geography in lower secondary schools
• Teacher of literature subjects in upper secondary schools
• Teacher of Italian as a non-native language in private schools and institutions, provincial adult education centres (CPIA), and other cultural or humanitarian organizations in Italy and abroad, including roles with organizational and managerial responsibilities in Italian language and culture programs
• Language expert and collaborator in Italian language and culture courses, university language centres, and centres for the assessment and certification of language proficiency
• Italian language lector in universities and schools abroad
• Cultural officer at Italian diplomatic or cultural missions abroad, including Italian Cultural Institutes, and at organizations and foundations promoting Italian language and culture overseas
• Editor or journalist in the field of traditional or multimedia publishing with a focus on Italian lan-guage education and cultural topics
• Consultant and collaborator in public and private schools supporting the integration and linguistic assistance of foreign students
• Linguistic-cultural mediator and facilitator
• Researcher or field operator in projects related to the various branches of Italian studies and theoretical and applied linguistics

Based on the agreement with the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia), a double degree program is also available, which allows students to earn 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) awarded by the Faculty of Interdisciplinary, Italian and Cultural Studies at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia).

Based on the agreement with the University of Lorraine (France), a double degree program is also offered, enabling students to obtain both the ItaS master's degree awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia and the Master MEEF - Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’education et de la formation, mention 2nd degré, Parcours italien awarded by the University of Lorraine (Nancy Campus).

* The ECTS credits assigned to foreign language courses include 3 ECTS taught by a native speaker language assistant (CEL/Lettore).

** Elective learning activities are chosen independently by the student from among all equivalent-level degree courses offered by the University.
In addition, the programme recommends the listed choices as they are considered consistent with the contents and educational objectives of the degree.

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 three-year bachelor’s degree or university diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as equivalent.

In addition, in order to enrol in the programme, applicants must:

• meet the required curricular prerequisites
• undergo a non-selective interview to assess their individual preparation. The interview may be taken only if the applicant meets the curricular prerequisites. A non-selective practical test is also foreseen to verify IT skills.

Curricular prerequisites

For admission to the Master's Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, applicants must have acquired prior curricular knowledge totalling 54 ECTS credits in the following subject areas:

A tolerance of up to 10% (equivalent to 6 ECTS credits) less than the required ECTS credits is permitted. Recognised language and/or IT certifications and/or relevant internship experiences may be included in the calculation if deemed pertinent to the indicated subject areas and academic disciplines. Any additional credits needed to meet the curricular requirements must be obtained, before enrolling in the Master's Degree Programme and before the assessment of individual preparation, at any university and in the form of “single subject courses” within bachelor’s level programmes.

For information on enrolling in “single subject courses” at this University, please refer to the Academic Regulations.

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

To have curricular requirements assessed, students must present:

• a copy of their degree certificate (for graduates), including a list of examinations taken with the corresponding credits and academic disciplines
• a copy of the record of exams taken and remaining to be taken (for undergraduate students), indicating acquired and pending credits, and related academic disciplines.