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

Upon completion of the training programme, participants will have acquired advanced knowledge and skills in the teaching of Italian as a non-native language, with particular focus on teaching Italian as an L2/FL in migratory, educational, academic, and professional contexts. In particular, they will be able to:

• analyse the linguistic, educational, and sociocultural needs of diverse learners and design Italian L2/FL learning pathways consistent with teaching contexts and learning objectives
• plan courses, syllabuses, learning units, and teaching activities by selecting methodologies, techniques, and tools appropriate to learner profiles and course aims
• select, adapt, and produce didactic materials and resources for teaching Italian, including for digital and blended environments, according to students’ linguistic proficiency levels and specific needs
• reflect on the Italian language at its various levels of analysis — phonetic-phonological, grammatical, lexical, textual, pragmatic, and sociolinguistic — for effective didactic transposition
• design teaching interventions to develop language skills in Italian, with particular attention to Italian for academic purposes, Italian for the workplace, and Italian for general and specific purposes
• use technological and digital tools for in-person and online teaching in an informed and effective manner
• develop, analyse, and evaluate assessment tasks and tools for measuring language competence, in line with teaching objectives and the main theoretical and methodological frameworks in the field
• recognise the intercultural dimension of language teaching and operate with sensitivity to cultural diversity, socio-pragmatic norms, possible communication barriers, and the overcoming of stereotypes
• observe, manage, and evaluate teaching and learning processes in a reflective way, developing the ability to critically assess their own and others’ teaching practices
• work independently in managing the classroom and collaborate in designing and organising educational programmes in complex contexts

The Master's programme provides knowledge and develops advanced skills in the field of teaching Italian as a non-native language (L2/FL), training teachers who are able to work in diverse educational contexts characterised by heterogeneous linguistic needs. In particular, the programme prepares professionals capable of designing, implementing, and assessing educational interventions for:

• teaching Italian as a second language (L2) to non-Italian-speaking adults residing in Italy
• teaching Italian as a second language (L2) in schools to pupils and students from non-Italian-speaking (or limited proficiency) families
• teaching Italian as a second or foreign language (L2/FL) for general or specific purposes (academic or professional), both in Italy and abroad

The qualification awarded enables graduates to work with and collaborate with educational institutions, organisations, associations, and public or private agencies engaged in language training, linguistic integration, and the promotion of the Italian language and culture worldwide.

Furthermore, the Master’s degree is a valid qualification for scoring purposes in the ranking lists for teaching and educational staff in Italian schools and institutes of all types and levels.

The University Educational Credits (CFU), equivalent to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), are recognised and transferable within universities both in Italy and abroad.

To enroll in the Master's program, applicants must hold a second-cycle degree, a single-cycle degree, a specialist degree, or a degree under the old system in the specific fields indicated in the call for applications. Alternatively, applicants may hold a second-cycle degree in any field, together with a first-level university Master's degree in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language or a Specialization School diploma in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language, or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad.

Scientific Director
Borbala Samu
curriculum vitae

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

Blended learning format:

• a distance learning phase lasting approximately six months (2 November 2026 – 30 April 2027), delivered through the EduNext digital platform
• an in-person internship period lasting approximately three weeks (3 – 21 May 2027), held at the University for Foreigners of Perugia premises or at affiliated institutions
• a final week dedicated to final examinations (24 – 28 May 2027), which may be conducted either in person or online.

Language of instruction: Italian

Recognised ECTS credits: 60

Participants: minimum 20 – maximum 50

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

Master's recognition for A023 teaching qualification
With Ministerial Decree No. 130 of 6 July 2023 “Amendments to Ministerial Decree of 23 February 2016, No. 92”, the Ministry of Education and Merit has included the Second Level Master's in L2 Teaching in the list of qualifications valid for access to teaching in competition class A023.

The master's program has a total duration of 1,500 hours (60 ECTS credits) and is structured around an integrated training pathway that combines online coursework, laboratory activities, in-person internship, and a final assessment. The learning pathway includes:

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

3 interactive workshops linked to the chosen specialization track
The workshops form the practical component of the program and focus on the design of teaching activities and materials for specific instructional contexts. Under the guidance of expert tutors, participants will develop lesson plans, activities, and materials tailored to different learner profiles (adult migrants, international students in Italian schools, learners of Italian for general or specific purposes), through collaborative work and online e-tivities.