First-level Master’s Programme 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 the teaching of Italian to students whose native language is not Italian
• train teaching staff from any disciplinary area in the fields of interculturality 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 programme aims to deepen understanding of the structures, uses, and varieties of the Italian language for teaching Italian as a first language, as a non-native language, and of the main theories related to learning Italian as a second language (L2) and to language teaching methodologies.

The objectives include developing 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 the degree may be used are as follows:

• Linguistic collaborator and expert at the language centers of Italian universities for teaching Italian language to international university students on mobility programs
• Italian L2/LS language instructor at Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC) or foreign universities
• Italian language teacher in public institutions and private or paritarian schools in Italy and abroad.

In addition, successful completion of the master’s program may award points or credits to teaching staff of public and private schools and institutions abroad, in accordance with current local laws and regulations.

The qualification obtained from this master’s program (pursuant to Italian Ministerial Decree 92 of 23/02/2016, MIUR) is also recognized as a specialization in Italian as a Second Language, valid for participation in competitive selection procedures for the A-23 teaching class “Italian language for learners of foreign language background (alloglotti).”

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

The University Educational Credits (CFU) / European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) earned through the Master’s program are recognized and can be applied within the university system, both in Italy and abroad (Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree programs or equivalent study programs abroad).

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), Linguistic Track, at the University for Foreigners of Perugia (see the Admission Notice for the Master’s program). In this way, candidates can obtain the Master’s degree in one academic year and the Master’s Degree (Dottore Magistrale) in the following year. These two integrated study paths provide comprehensive training and make graduates highly competitive in the field of teaching Italian as a second and foreign language. 

Bachelor's degree under the new system or a four-year degree under the previous system (prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999), in any disciplinary field, or a foreign qualification recognized as equivalent.

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

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

• a degree obtained in Italy
• a foreign degree that includes at least three years of Italian language study
• a Ph.D. 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 – Expert language collaborator (fixed-term) 
Prof. Borbala Samu – Associate Professor, SSD: GLOT-01/B (formerly L-LIN/02) 
Dr. Claudia Fedeli – Expert language 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 – Expert language collaborator (fixed-term) 

Online teaching mode:
6 months (October 2026 – April 2027) of primarily asynchronous teaching with pre-recorded video lectures and 2 months (May 2027 – June 2027) of synchronous teaching.

Language: Italian

Recognised ECTS credits: 60

Number of participants: minimum: 20 - maximum: 50

Tuition fee: €2,800, payable in three instalments

The master's program has a duration of 1,500 hours (60 ECTS credits).

It features a range of diverse online teaching methods, combining synchronous (live) lessons—which will in any case be recorded—and asynchronous lessons. This variety of approaches, together with e-tivities and discussion forums, offers significant benefits for learning and for acquiring the skills to manage multilingual and multiethnic classrooms.

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

1. Synchronous teaching activities with remote tutoring
   Synchronous lessons delivered online, and also recorded, are designed to foster a sense of community among learners. Live sessions enable dialogic exchanges and direct interaction with instructors. Moreover, key points from these lessons will be revisited and discussed in online forums, under the supervision of tutors.
2. Asynchronous teaching activities
   These are pre-recorded video lessons and represent the main teaching format of the program. To facilitate real-time exchange and direct contact with instructors, approximately two hours will also be delivered synchronously.
3. Remote supervised internship activities
   The Practicum, a key strength of the entire program, bridges the comprehensive theoretical part with its practical application. The Practicum is a highly professionally oriented internship, structured as an intensive teaching practice pathway led by experienced tutor-instructors and conducted on the EDUNEXT network technology platform.
   It consists of three stages in which participants are closely supported and guided by tutors:
   1. Monitored Educational Activity (ADM)
   2. Observation of video-recorded lessons of different types
   3. Synchronous live observation (optional)

A tutor manager will support participants throughout the entire e-learning experience and the Teams sessions, acting as a liaison between students, teaching staff, and technical-administrative staff.

There will be assessment tests at the end of each cluster and of the synchronous lessons; Practicum activities will be assessed by the Practicum tutors. At the end of the program, a final examination is required.

Final examination

Each participant must submit a written report.

The report shall consist of two parts: a critical reflection on the entire study program or an in-depth analysis of a topic of choice addressed during the Master's program, and a reflection on the internship, with particular attention to self- and peer-observation.

The report will be presented and discussed before a panel made up of the Director, faculty members, and tutors, and will be evaluated.

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

The weighting is as follows:

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