First-level Master’s Degree in “Teaching Italian as a Non-Native Language”

The Master's programme aims to:

• provide advanced training for Italian and international graduates working in Italy and abroad in teaching Italian to students whose native language is not Italian
• train teaching staff from any disciplinary field in the areas of intercultural competence and the learning/teaching of Italian as a non-native language, by providing theoretical and linguistic-cultural knowledge and developing practical skills

The master's program is designed to deepen knowledge of the structures, usage, and varieties of the Italian language for teaching Italian as a first language, as a foreign language, and to explore the main theories related to learning Italian as a second language (L2) and glottodidactic methodologies.

The aims are to develop specific practical skills for teaching the Italian language and culture as a foreign language (Italian abroad) and as a second language (for immigrant students).

The possible professional fields in which this qualification can be used are as follows:

• Collaborator and language expert at language centres of Italian universities for teaching Italian to international university students participating in mobility programmes
• Italian L2/FL language instructor at Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC) or at foreign universities
• Italian language teacher at public institutions and private and/or paritarie (state-recognized) schools in Italy and abroad.

Additionally, completion of the master's degree may lead to the award of points or credits for teaching staff in public and private schools and institutions abroad, in accordance with the regulations and laws in force in those countries.

This master's degree (pursuant to Italian Ministerial Decree 92 of 23/02/2016, MIUR) is also recognized as a specialized qualification in Italian as a Second Language (L2) for participation in competitive selection procedures for teaching positions in class A-23 "Italian language for learners of foreign (alloglottic) origin".

For provincial ranking lists (GPS), the Italian Ministry of Education, Department of the Education and Training System, note no. 162 of 02.02.2021, awards 3 points to specialization qualifications in Italian L2 as per Annex A of Ministerial Decree no. 92 of 23/02/2016.

The University Educational Credits (CFU) / European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits earned in the master's programme can be recognised in academic contexts, both in Italy and abroad (for bachelor's, master's, or equivalent degree programmes overseas).

Obtaining the master’s degree in Didactics of Italian as a Non-native Language allows for direct admission to the second year of the Master’s Degree in Teaching Italian to Foreigners (ItaS), Linguistics track, at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia (see the Master's Admission Notice for details). In this way, over the course of two academic years, the candidate can obtain both the master’s degree and, the following year, the Master’s Degree (Dottore Magistrale). The two consecutive study programs provide thorough training for a highly skilled and competitive professional profile in the field of teaching Italian as a second and foreign language.

A three-year Bachelor’s degree under the current system or a four-year degree under the previous system prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, in any field of study, or a foreign qualification recognized as equivalent.

Foreign applicants are required to provide certification of Italian language proficiency at level B2: CELI, CILS, PLIDA, or cert.it (Università degli Studi Roma 3).

Foreign applicants are exempt from the B2 Italian language certification requirement if they possess:

• a degree obtained in Italy
• a foreign degree that includes at least three years of study of the Italian language
• a PhD obtained in Italy

Scientific Director
Prof. Francesca Malagnini
Curriculum vitae

Scientific Committee
Internal member: Prof. Francesca Malagnini – Full Professor SSD: LIFI 01/A (formerly L-FIL-LET/12)
Internal member: Prof. Letizia Cinganotto – Associate Professor SSD: GLOT-01/B (formerly L-LIN/02)
Internal member: Dr. Federica Aucone – Language Expert Collaborator (fixed-term)
Prof. Borbala Samu – Associate Professor SSD: GLOT-01/B (formerly L-LIN/02)
Dr. Claudia Fedeli – Language Expert Collaborator (fixed-term)

Alternate members:
Prof. Roberto Dolci – Full Professor SSD: GLOT-01/B (formerly L-LIN/02)
Prof. Valentina Gasbarra – Associate Professor SSD: GLOT-01/A (formerly L-LIN/01)
Dr. Catia Mugnani – Language Expert Collaborator (fixed-term)

Online delivery mode:
6 months (October 2026 – April 2027) of primarily asynchronous learning with pre-recorded lectures, followed by 2 months (May 2027 – June 2027) of synchronous instruction.

Language: Italian

Recognised ECTS credits: 60

Number of participants: minimum: 20 - maximum: 50

Registration fee: €2,800.00, payable in three instalments

The master’s program has a duration of 1500 hours (60 ECTS).

It features a range of diverse online teaching methods, combining synchronous (live, but always recorded) and asynchronous lessons. This variety in teaching—together with e-tivities and discussion forums—is highly beneficial for learning and for developing classroom management skills in multilingual and multicultural settings. 

Specifically, the Master’s program includes, for the three Educational Clusters: 

1. Synchronous online teaching activities with remote tutoring
   The live online classes, which are always recorded, aim to foster a sense of community among participants. Synchronous lessons enable dialogic exchange and direct interaction with instructors. Moreover, key points from the lessons will be revisited and discussed in online discussion forums, under the supervision of tutors.
2. Asynchronous teaching activities
   These are pre-recorded video lessons, which constitute the main teaching mode of the Master’s program. To facilitate direct and synchronous engagement with faculty, approximately a few hours are still delivered in real time.
3. Monitored remote ‘internship’ activities
   The Practicum, one of the program’s strengths, bridges the rich theoretical content with hands-on practice. The Practicum is an internship with a strong professional focus, structured as an intensive teaching practice pathway under the guidance of expert tutor-instructors, held on the EDUNEXT network technology platform. 
   It comprises three phases during which participants receive continuous support and guidance from tutors:
   1. Monitored Teaching Activities (ADM)
   2. Observation of pre-recorded lessons of various types
   3. Live synchronous observation (optional)

A tutor manager will support participants throughout the entire e-learning journey and during sessions on Teams, acting as a liaison between participants, faculty, and technical-administrative staff.

There will be assessment tests at the end of each cluster and after synchronous sessions; Practicum activities will be evaluated by the Practicum tutors. A final examination is foreseen at the end of the program.

Final Examination 

Participants are required to produce a written report. 

The report consists of two sections: a reasoned reflection on the entire learning experience or an in-depth analysis of a topic covered during the Master’s program (chosen by the participant), and a reflection on the internship, with particular attention to self- and peer-observation. 

The report will be discussed before a committee composed of the Director, faculty members, and tutors, and will be assessed. 

The final grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the final assessments of the Educational Clusters, the synchronous modules on Teams, the Practicum, and the final examination (report and discussion). 

The score breakdown is as follows: 

• three Educational Clusters: 55%
• Practicum: 35%
• Final examination: 10%