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

The Master's programme aims to:

• provide specialist training for Italian and international graduates working in Italy and abroad in teaching Italian to students whose first 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, providing theoretical, linguistic-cultural knowledge and developing practical skills

The master’s programme aims to deepen knowledge of the structures, uses, and varieties of the Italian language for teaching Italian as a first language, a non-native language, and to examine key theories relating to the acquisition of Italian as a second language (L2) and relevant language teaching methodologies.

The objectives are the development of specific applied skills in teaching the Italian language and culture as a foreign language (Italian abroad) and as a second language (immigrant students).

The potential professional sectors in which this qualification may be applied are as follows:

• Language collaborator and specialist within language centres at Italian universities for teaching Italian to international university students on mobility programmes
• Italian L2/LS language assistant at Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC) or at foreign universities
• Italian language teacher at public institutions and private and/or state-recognised schools in Italy and abroad.

Obtaining this master’s degree may also entitle teaching staff of foreign public and private schools and institutions to additional points or credits, in line with the laws and regulations in force in those countries.

The qualification awarded by this master’s programme (pursuant to Ministerial Decree 92 of 23/02/2016 of the Ministry of Education, University and Research) is also recognised as a specialisation in Italian as a Second Language, valid for participation in competitive selection procedures for the A-23 teaching category "Italian language for non-native speakers".

For provincial rankings (GPS), Ministry of Education note from the Department of the Education and Training System, no. 162 of 02/02/2021, awards 3 points for specialisation qualifications in Italian as a Second Language listed in Annex A of Ministerial Decree no. 92 of 23/02/2016.

The University Credits (CFU) / European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) acquired within the Master are recognised by universities both in Italy and abroad (Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree Programmes or equivalent programmes abroad).

Obtaining the master’s degree in Teaching Italian as a Non-native Language allows for direct enrolment, with credit recognition, in the second year of the Master’s Degree Programme in Teaching Italian to Foreigners (ItaS), linguistic track, at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia (see the Call for Applications for the Master's Programme). In this way, over two academic years, candidates can obtain both the Master’s qualification and, the following year, a Master’s Degree. These two consecutive programmes provide comprehensive training, enabling graduates to be highly qualified and competitive in the field of teaching Italian as a second or foreign language.

Bachelor’s degree under the current system or four-year degree under the previous system prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, in any field of study, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad.

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

The following foreign applicants are exempt from submitting certification of Italian language proficiency at B2 level:

• those who have obtained a degree in Italy
• those who have obtained a foreign degree that included at least three years of Italian language study
• those who have obtained a doctoral degree 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)

Mode of delivery (distance learning):
6 months (October 2026 – April 2027) of predominantly asynchronous teaching with pre-recorded lectures, and 2 months (May 2027 – June 2027) of synchronous teaching.

Language: Italian

ECTS credits awarded: 60

Number of participants: minimum: 20 - maximum: 50

Tuition fee: €2,800.00 payable in three instalments

The Master’s programme has a duration of 1,500 hours (60 ECTS).

It features a range of diverse distance learning methods, combining synchronous teaching sessions (which will also be recorded) and asynchronous activities. This variety of teaching approaches, together with e-tivities and discussion forums, greatly benefits learning and helps participants develop skills for managing multilingual and multicultural classrooms.

Specifically, the Master’s programme includes, within the three Educational Clusters:

1. Synchronous teaching activities with remote tutoring
   Synchronous online lessons, which will also be recorded, are designed to foster a learning community among participants. Synchronous sessions enable dialogic exchange and direct interaction with lecturers. Furthermore, some key points from these lessons will be revisited and discussed in forums moderated by tutors.
2. Asynchronous teaching activities
   These consist of pre-recorded lectures and represent the main learning mode for the programme. To promote real-time exchange and direct interaction with lecturers, around two hours of teaching are delivered in synchronous mode.
3. Supervised remote 'internship' activities
   The Practicum, a key strength of the entire programme, bridges the comprehensive theoretical component with practical experience. The Practicum is a highly professional internship, conducted through an intensive pathway of supervised teaching practice with experienced tutor-lecturers and takes place on the EDUNEXT network platform.
   It comprises three phases in which participants receive ongoing guidance and support from tutors:
   1. Monitored Teaching Activities (ADM)
   2. Observation of various types of pre-recorded lessons
   3. Live synchronous observation on site (optional)

A tutor manager will support participants throughout the entire e-learning process and during the sessions held via Teams, acting as a liaison between students, academic staff and Technical and Administrative Staff.

Assessment activities are scheduled at the end of each cluster and synchronous session; the Practicum activities will be evaluated by the Practicum tutors. A final examination is required at the conclusion of the programme.

Final Examination

Participants are required to submit a written report.

The report must include two sections: a critical reflection on the overall learning pathway undertaken, or an in-depth analysis of a selected topic addressed during the programme; and a reflection on the internship, with particular emphasis on self- and peer-observation.

The report will be discussed in the presence of the examination board, composed of the Director, academic staff and tutors, and will be formally assessed.

The final mark, expressed out of thirty, is calculated as the average of the grades achieved in the final assessments of the Educational Clusters, synchronous modules delivered on Teams, the Practicum and the final examination (report and discussion).

The weighting of each component is as follows:

• three Educational Clusters: 55%
• practicum: 35%
• final examination: 10%