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

Linguistic and Language Teaching Area

• develop specialist 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)
• understand and be able to apply theoretical principles and practical models of language teaching and educational linguistics, with regard to the diverse audiences of foreign learners that Italian LS/L2 teachers may encounter (both within and outside Italy)
• acquire a solid theoretical foundation and develop practical skills that allow, also through the use of new technologies, the design and implementation of teaching activities and systematic assessment tasks aligned with specific language learning pathways and objectives outlined in the CEFR and other European documents
• acquire the theoretical foundations of language assessment and the operational competences necessary to develop language tests, demonstrating and ensuring their validity
• learn to critically reflect on the pragmatic relationships between linguistic expression, intention, and social context, applying a comparative approach to different languages and cultures
• learn to promote intercultural understanding and dialogue in multiethnic and multilingual social contexts
• understand and be able to explain the historical process behind the formation and development of the Italian language, the factors contributing to linguistic unification, and the relationships between language, dialects, and regional varieties from both historical and contemporary perspectives
• understand and be able to explain the contexts and historical phases that have shaped 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 principal motivations for learning our language and culture
• understand the current sociolinguistic framework of Italy and the language of new media, including in relation to the development of innovative educational materials
• develop specialized knowledge relating to the language, socio-cultural realities, and literary heritage of a European country (and/or of the Far East or the Arab world)

Philological and Literary Area

• be familiar with Italian literary authors and works in relation to genres and the historical-cultural contexts of various eras, also from a comparative perspective
• know the principal critical and interpretative methodologies applied to texts of the Italian literary tradition
• understand the principal methods of critical text editing, including with reference to the relationship between philology and linguistic history
• be able to interpret literary texts, situating them within an appropriate critical framework and applying key tools of historical, philological, linguistic, rhetorical-stylistic, and hermeneutic analysis—also for the design of effective strategies for teaching Italian literature and cultural heritage to foreign learners

Historical-Political and Art History Area

• understand and be able to interpret the historical events that have shaped Italy from the 19th to the 21st centuries, both in terms of national developments and within the broader European and international context
• understand and be able to explain expressions and evolutionary processes of Italian civilization, with reference to the history of ideas, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, highlighting their specificity and constant interaction with historical contexts, with particular attention to figures and movements of greater international resonance
• be familiar with the main Italian artists and artistic movements, with a focus on the rich artistic heritage of Umbria, and be able to compare different historical periods and trends
• be able to outline and foster a personal engagement with Italian musicians of the past, compared with modern and contemporary trends in the art market: economics, business, advertising, and music management

In the Linguistic track, students will also gain competence in a distant language (Chinese, Arabic, or Japanese) and focus their training and skills development on specific areas of theoretical and applied linguistics.

In the Cultural-Identity track, students will deepen their theoretical knowledge, expanding their operational and research skills in the most significant fields of our cultural tradition, in relation to the historical factors that underpin national identity and its representation abroad.

In both tracks, the strong language-teaching and cultural curriculum is enhanced by seminars, workshops, and professional activities dedicated to the teaching of Italian as a foreign language.

Students can choose elective courses that allow cross-disciplinary intersections between the two tracks.

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

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

An in-depth knowledge of Italian civilization also makes graduates suitable for roles in organizations and institutions dedicated to promoting the Italian language and culture abroad, as well as enhancing Italian cultural heritage.

Professional profiles:

• teacher of Italian as a non-native language in state 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, local learning centers (CPIA), and other cultural or humanitarian organizations in Italy and abroad, also in organizational and administrative roles for Italian language and culture courses
• language expert and collaborator in Italian language and culture courses, university language centers, and centers dedicated to linguistic skills assessment and evaluation
• Italian language reader at universities and schools abroad
• cultural officer at Italian diplomatic and cultural institutions abroad, including the Italian Cultural Institutes, and at organizations and foundations dedicated to promoting the Italian language and culture abroad
• editor and journalist in the field of traditional or multimedia publishing related to Italian language education and culture
• consultant and collaborator in public and private schools for the integration and linguistic support of foreign students
• language and cultural mediator and facilitator
• researcher or field specialist in research projects related to various areas of Italian studies and linguistics, both theoretical and applied

Based on the agreement signed with the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia), a double degree program is also available. This program leads to 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) - offered by 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 degree program is also available. This program leads to 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, Parcours italien” awarded by the University of Lorraine (Nancy campus).

* The ECTS credits for foreign language courses include 3 ECTS taught by a native-speaking language instructor.

** Elective learning activities are chosen independently by the student from among the active degree programmes of the same level offered by the University.
In addition, the programme recommends the indicated 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 elective.

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

In addition, in order to enrol in this programme, students must:

• meet the required curricular prerequisites
• take a non-selective interview to assess their personal preparation. Candidates may only attend the interview if they have the required curricular prerequisites. There will also be a non-selective practical test designed to verify IT skills.

Curricular Prerequisites

In order to enrol in the Master's Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, students must have preliminary curricular knowledge amounting to a total of 54 CFU (university credits) in the following disciplinary areas:

A tolerance of up to a maximum of 10% (i.e., 6 CFU) of the required CFU is permitted. Relevant language and/or IT certificates and/or internship experiences deemed pertinent to the indicated areas and sectors may be included in the count. Any additional CFU necessary to satisfy the curricular prerequisites must be obtained, prior to enrolment in the Master's Degree Programme and before the assessment of individual preparation, at any university as “single courses” within first-level degree programmes.

For information on how to enrol in “single courses” at this University, please refer to the academic regulations.

The fulfilment of curricular prerequisites will be verified by the Degree Programme Office of the University. Students may submit their documentation by email to segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or deliver it in person to the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).

For the verification of curricular prerequisites, students are required to present:

• a copy of the degree certificate (for graduates), including the list of exams passed, the credits earned and the relevant scientific-disciplinary sectors
• a copy of the list of exams passed and to be taken (for graduating students), specifying the credits acquired and to be acquired and the relevant scientific-disciplinary sectors.