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

Upon completion of the 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 a second or foreign language (L2/FL) in migratory, educational, academic and professional contexts. Specifically, graduates will be able to:

• analyse the linguistic, educational and sociocultural needs of diverse learners and design Italian L2/FL curricula aligned with teaching contexts and learning objectives
• plan courses, syllabi, learning units and educational activities, selecting methodologies, techniques and tools appropriate to learners' profiles and course goals
• select, adapt and produce teaching materials and resources for the instruction of Italian, including in digital and blended environments, according to language proficiency levels and students’ specific needs
• reflect on the Italian language across its different levels of analysis—phonetic-phonological, grammatical, lexical, textual, pragmatic and sociolinguistic—for didactic purposes
• design educational interventions to develop Italian language competences, with particular attention to Italian for academic purposes, professional contexts and for general or specific purposes
• make informed use of tools and technologies for both in-person and online teaching
• develop, analyse and assess language tests and evaluation tools, in line with educational objectives and the main theoretical and methodological frameworks in the field
• recognise the intercultural dimension of language teaching and operate with sensitivity to cultural differences, socio-pragmatic norms, potential communication barriers and the overcoming of stereotypes
• observe, manage and critically assess teaching and learning processes, developing the ability to reflect critically on both one’s own and others’ teaching practices
• work independently in classroom management and collaborate in the design and organisation of educational programmes in complex environments

The Master's programme provides in-depth knowledge and develops advanced skills in teaching Italian as a non-native language (L2/LS), preparing teachers able to work in diverse educational settings with heterogeneous linguistic needs. In particular, the programme trains professionals able to design, implement and assess educational interventions for:

• the teaching of Italian L2 to non-Italian-speaking adults residing in Italy
• the school-based teaching of Italian L2 to pupils and students from non-Italian-speaking (or partially Italian-speaking) families
• the teaching of Italian L2/LS for general or specific purposes (academic or professional), in Italy and abroad

The qualification enables graduates to work with and collaborate within educational institutions, organisations, associations, and public or private agencies active in the fields of reception, language education, and the promotion of the Italian language and culture worldwide.

The Master's also constitutes a qualification that can be used for scoring in rankings for teaching and educational staff positions in Italian schools and institutes of all types and levels.

University Educational Credits (CFU), equivalent to European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, are recognised and can be used within higher education both in Italy and internationally.

To enrol in the Master’s programme, applicants must hold a second-cycle degree, a single-cycle degree, a specialist degree, or a pre-reform degree in the specific fields indicated in the Call for Applications, or a second-cycle degree in any disciplinary area together with a first-level University Master’s degree in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language or a postgraduate Specialisation 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 of Modern Language Teaching
Prof. Stefania Scaglione, Associate Professor of Glottology and Linguistics
Dr. Nicoletta Santeusanio – Specialist Language Collaborator

Blended learning format:

• a distance learning phase lasting approximately six months (2 November 2026 – 30 April 2027), delivered via the EduNext online platform
• an on-site internship period lasting approximately three weeks (3 – 21 May 2027), held at the facilities of the Università per Stranieri di Perugia or at partner institutions
• a final week dedicated to the assessment sessions (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

Recognition of the Master’s Programme for A023 teaching qualification
The Ministry of Education and Merit, with Decree No. 130 of 6 July 2023 "Amendments to the Ministerial Decree of 23 February 2016, No. 92", has included the Second Level Master in L2 Teaching in the list of eligible qualifications for access to teaching in Competition Class A023.

The master's programme has a total duration of 1,500 hours (60 ECTS credits) and is structured as an integrated training pathway combining online teaching, practical workshops, in-person internships, and a final assessment. The programme includes:

11 online teaching modules
The modules are delivered remotely via the EduNext platform, combining asynchronous activities (video lectures and study materials) with interactive real-time sessions with lecturers. The content covers key theoretical and methodological areas of teaching Italian as a second/foreign language: language acquisition, language typology, intercultural pragmatics, Council of Europe tools for language teaching, course design, technologies for language learning, assessment of language competences, and teaching structures of contemporary Italian.

3 interactive workshops linked to the chosen specialisation track
The workshops provide the applied component of the programme and focus on designing teaching activities and materials for specific educational contexts. Participants, guided by expert tutors, will work on the development of teaching units, activities, and materials tailored to different learner profiles (adult migrants, foreign students in Italian schools, learners of Italian for general or specific purposes) through collaborative tasks and online e-tivities.