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

The master's program aims to:

• provide specialization for Italian and international graduates who teach Italian to students whose first language is not Italian, both in Italy and abroad
• train teachers from any subject area in the fields of interculturality and the learning/teaching of Italian as a non-native language, offering theoretical and linguistic-cultural knowledge while developing practical teaching skills

The master’s program aims to deepen knowledge of the structures, uses, and varieties of the Italian language for teaching Italian as a first language, as a non-native language, and to explore the main theories related to learning Italian as a second language (L2) and glottodidactic methodologies.

The objectives 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 degree can be applied are as follows:

• Collaborator and language expert at university language centres in Italy for teaching Italian to international students on mobility programmes
• Italian L2/LS language instructor at Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC) or at foreign universities
• Italian language teacher at public institutions and private and/or officially recognised schools in Italy and abroad.

The attainment of this master's degree may also result in the awarding of points or credits for teaching staff in public and private schools and institutes abroad, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in those countries.

The qualification awarded by this master's degree (pursuant to Ministerial Decree 92 of 23/02/2016, 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 teaching positions in class A-23 "Italian Language for Foreign Language Learners (alloglotti)".

For provincial rankings (GPS), Note no. 162 of 02.02.2021 from the Ministry of Education, Department for the Education and Training System, recognises 3 points for specialisation qualifications in Italian L2 as 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 programme are recognised in the academic field, both in Italy and abroad (for bachelor's and/or master's degree programmes or equivalent courses abroad).

The completion of the Master's degree in Teaching Italian as a Non-Native Language allows for advanced 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 Call for details). In this way, candidates can earn both the Master's degree and, the following year, the Laurea Magistrale within two academic years. Combined, these two programmes prepare highly qualified and competitive professionals in teaching Italian as a second and foreign language.

Bachelor's degree under the new system or four-year degree under the previous system pursuant 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 B2 level: CELI, CILS, PLIDA, 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)

Remote learning mode:
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

Recognized ECTS credits: 60

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 combination of multiple and varied distance learning methods, bringing together synchronous (which will in any case be recorded) and asynchronous teaching sessions. These diverse didactic approaches, together with e-tivities and discussion forums, provide significant benefits for learning and for acquiring the skills needed to manage multilingual and multiethnic classrooms.

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

1. Synchronous learning activities with remote tutoring
   Synchronous online classes, all of which will be recorded, are designed to foster a sense of community among participants. Synchronous sessions enable dialogic exchange and direct interaction with the instructors. In addition, key points from these sessions will be revisited and discussed in specific forums, under the supervision of tutors.
2. Asynchronous learning activities
   These are pre-recorded video lectures and constitute the core teaching method of the Master’s programme. To encourage live interaction with instructors, approximately two hours are also delivered synchronously.
3. Monitored ‘internship’ activities at a distance
   The Practicum, a strength of the entire programme, bridges the theoretical and practical components. The Practicum provides a highly professionalising internship, featuring intensive didactic practice guided by expert tutor-instructors, all delivered on the EDUNEXT network’s technological platform.
   It comprises three phases, during which participants are continuously supported and guided by tutors:
   1. Monitored Didactic Activity (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 programme and the Teams sessions, acting as a liaison between students, teaching staff, and technical-administrative personnel.

There will be assessment tests at the end of each cluster and after the synchronous sessions; Practicum activities will be evaluated by the Practicum tutors. Upon completion of the programme, a final examination is scheduled.

Final examination

Participants will be required to prepare a written report.

This report will consist of two sections: a well-argued reflection on the entire training pathway undertaken, or an in-depth analysis of a topic of choice covered during the Master’s programme, and a reflection on the internship, with particular attention given to self- and peer-observation.

The report will be discussed in front of a committee composed of the Director, faculty, and tutors, and will be graded.

The final grade, expressed out of thirty, is calculated as the average of the marks obtained from the final assessments of the Educational Clusters, synchronous modules on Teams, the Practicum, and the final examination (report and discussion).

The weighting is as follows:

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