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Second Level Master's in "Teaching Italian as a Non-Native Language

Second-level Master's in "Teaching Italian as a Non-native Language

At the end of the training program, the participant will have acquired advanced knowledge and skills in the field of teaching Italian as a non-native language, with particular reference to teaching Italian as an L2/FL in migratory, school, academic, and professional contexts. Specifically, they will be able to:

  • analyze the linguistic, educational, and sociocultural needs of different learners and design Italian L2/FL learning paths appropriate to teaching contexts and learning objectives
  • plan courses, syllabuses, learning units, and teaching activities by selecting methodologies, techniques, and tools suitable for the learners’ profiles and the aims of the course
  • select, adapt, and produce teaching materials and resources for teaching Italian, including in digital and blended environments, according to language proficiency levels and the specific needs of students
  • reflect on the Italian language at its various levels of analysis—phonetic-phonological, grammatical, lexical, textual, pragmatic, and sociolinguistic—for the purpose of didactic transposition
  • design teaching interventions aimed at developing Italian language skills, with particular attention to Italian for academic study, Italian for the workplace, and Italian for general and specific purposes
  • consciously use tools and technologies for teaching both in person and online
  • develop, analyze, and evaluate assessment tests and tools for evaluating language skills, in line with the learning objectives and the main theoretical and methodological references in the field
  • recognize the intercultural dimension of language teaching and work with attention to cultural differences, socio-pragmatic norms, possible communication barriers, and overcoming stereotypes
  • observe, manage, and consciously assess teaching and learning processes, developing the ability to reflect critically on one's own teaching practices and those of others
  • work independently in classroom management and collaborate in the design and organization of training programs in complex settings

The master’s program provides knowledge and develops highly specialized skills in the teaching of Italian as a non-native language (L2/LS), training teachers able to work in diverse educational contexts with varied linguistic needs. In particular, the course prepares professionals capable of designing, implementing, and evaluating teaching interventions for:

  • teaching Italian as L2 to non-Italian-speaking adults residing in Italy
  • school-based teaching of Italian as L2 to pupils and students from non- (or only partially) Italian-speaking families
  • teaching Italian as L2/LS for general or specific purposes (academic or professional), in Italy and abroad

The qualification obtained allows you to work and collaborate with educational institutions, organizations, associations, and public and private agencies operating in the fields of reception, language training, and the promotion of the Italian language and culture worldwide.

Furthermore, the master’s degree is a recognized qualification for awarding points in the ranking lists for teaching and educational staff in Italian schools and institutes of every order and level.

University Credits (CFU), equivalent to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), are recognized and can be used in the university sector both in Italy and abroad.

To enroll in the master's program, applicants must hold a second-level degree, a single-cycle degree, a specialist degree, or a degree under the former system in the specific fields listed in the announcement, or a second-level degree in any discipline together with either a first-level university master's in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language or a diploma from a Specialization School in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language, or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad.

Borbala Samu

Scientific Director
Borbala Samu
curriculum vitae

Executive Committee
Prof. Borbala Samu, Associate Professor in Modern Language Teaching
Prof. Stefania Scaglione, Associate Professor in Glottology and Linguistics
Dr. Nicoletta Santeusanio – Expert Language Collaborator

6th edition A.Y. 2026-2027

Application deadline

In the process of being defined.

Period of implementation

November 2, 2026 – May 26, 2027

Cost

Euro 2,800.00

Blended delivery mode:

  • a remote learning phase lasting about six months (November 2, 2026 – April 30, 2027), delivered through the EduNext IT platform
  • an in-person internship period lasting about three weeks (May 3 – 21, 2027), at the University for Foreigners of Perugia facilities or at partner institutes
  • a final week dedicated to final assessments (May 24 – 28, 2027), which may take place either in person or remotely.

Language: Italian

Recognized ECTS credits: 60

Participants: minimum 20 - maximum 50

Registration fee: €2,800.00 payable in three installments

Recognition of the Master’s for A023 teaching qualification
The Ministry of Education and Merit, with Decree no. 130 of July 6, 2023 "Amendments to the Decree of the Minister of Education, University and Research of February 23, 2016, n. 92" has included the Second Level Master in L2 Teaching in the list of qualifications eligible for access to teaching in teaching class A023.

The master's program has a total duration of 1500 hours (60 ECTS credits) and is structured as an integrated educational path that combines online teaching, laboratory activities, in-person internships, and a final exam. The curriculum includes:

11 online teaching modules
The modules are delivered remotely via the EduNext platform and combine asynchronous activities (video lectures and study materials) with interactive synchronous teaching sessions with instructors. The content covers the main theoretical and methodological areas of teaching Italian as a second or foreign language: language acquisition, linguistic typology, intercultural pragmatics, tools from the Council of Europe for language teaching, course design, technologies for language learning, skills assessment, and teaching structures of contemporary Italian.

3 interactive workshops related to the chosen specialization track
The workshops represent the practical component of the course and are dedicated to designing teaching activities and materials for specific instructional contexts. Participants, guided by expert tutors, will work on designing teaching units, activities, and materials intended for different learner profiles (adult migrants, foreign students in Italian schools, learners of Italian for general or specific purposes), through collaborative work and online e-tivities.

On-site internship (225 hours – 9 ECTS credits)
The internship takes place at the University for Foreigners of Perugia or at affiliated institutions and represents a fundamental moment of integration between theoretical training and teaching practice. The planned activities include:

  • classroom observation
  • syllabus design and preparation of teaching materials
  • conducting lessons (with video recordings)
  • peer and tutor feedback sessions
  • critical analysis of teaching practices

It is possible to request recognition of educational credits and subsequent partial or total exemption from the internship based on previous teaching experiences or training activities already completed. For detailed information about application procedures and required documentation, see the announcement.

For the purpose of determining the number of credits that can be recognized, the following equivalence criterion is applied:

1 ECTS credit corresponds to:

  • 150 hours of teaching Italian as a second/foreign language at public or private institutions
  • 450 hours of teaching Italian language and literature in schools of any level with multicultural classes
  • 450 hours of teaching another foreign language (for example, English, Chinese, etc.) at public or private institutions
  • at least 6 months of activity as an assistant in Italian departments or courses abroad

Some previous training activities are also eligible for recognition, proportional to their duration. In particular:

  • the internship completed as part of the first-level Master's in "Teaching Italian as a non-native language" at the University for Foreigners of Perugia entitles you to the recognition of 3 ECTS credits
  • internships completed in similar Master's programs at other universities may be recognized by the Selection Committee in proportion to the duration of the activities carried out
  • internships completed as part of a master’s degree program may be recognized according to the same criterion

The recognition of credits results in progressive exemption from attending the internship:

  • with at least 3 ECTS credits recognized, exemption from the first week of the internship is granted
  • with at least 6 ECTS credits recognized, exemption from the first two weeks of the internship is granted
  • with 9 ECTS credits recognized, full exemption from the internship is granted

The final exam consists of presenting a multimedia project work or a podcast on a topic relevant to the chosen course, as well as designing and presenting a lesson on teaching Italian as a second or foreign language (L2/LS) within the same context.

5th edition A.Y. 2025-2026

Application deadline

September 15, 2025 - 1:00 PM

Period of implementation

October 27, 2025 – June 26, 2026

Cost

Euro 2,500.00

Blended modality: approximately 7 months online (October 2025 - May 2026) and 3 weeks in person (June 3 – 26) plus exams

Language: Italian

Recognized ECTS credits: 60

Participants: minimum 20 - maximum 50

Enrollment fee: €2,500.00 to be paid in three installments

Recognition of the Master’s degree for class A023 purposes

The Ministry of Education and Merit, with Decree no. 130 of July 6th, 2023 “Amendments to the Decree of the Minister of Education, University, and Research of February 23rd, 2016, no. 92” has included the Level II Master in L2 Teaching in the list of qualifications valid for access to teaching in the A023 subject area.

The master's program lasts 1500 hours (60 ECTS), structured around a training path that includes:

  • 5 modules in monitored self-learning, aimed at developing basic theoretical skills considered an essential prerequisite for further training. Individual study is assisted, upon request, by a tutor
  • 5 modules in monitored self-learning, intended to strengthen and expand the basic skills acquired by developing advanced methodological and organizational knowledge and skills. Individual study is assisted, upon request, by a tutor
  • labs  e-learning labs dedicated to Teaching Italian as a Second Language for specific purposes (academic or professional) in Italy or abroad
  • internship lasting 180 hours (three weeks) in person in Perugia
  • final test, which will consist of the presentation of a podcast created by the participant and the preparation of a lesson connected to the teaching of Italian L2/LS for general and specific purposes

program (pdf)

calendar (pdf)

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