Master’s Degree Programme in Italian Language for Teaching to Foreigners (ItaS)

Linguistic and Language Teaching Area

• develop advanced specialist proficiency in the Italian language system with regard to its phonological, morphological, syntactic, textual and lexical aspects, as well as the relationship between language and context (situational, social, and cultural)
• understand and apply the principles and operational models of language pedagogy and educational linguistics, addressing the needs of different groups of foreign learners for whom the teacher of Italian as a second/foreign language (LS/L2) is responsible (both within and outside national borders)
• acquire a solid theoretical foundation and develop practical skills that enable the design and proposal of teaching activities and systematic assessment tools, consistent with clearly defined language learning paths and objectives, as set out in the CEFR and other European documents, including through the use of new technologies
• acquire theoretical foundations in the assessment of language proficiency and corresponding practical skills, in order to develop language tests and demonstrate and ensure their validity
• reflect on the pragmatic relationships between linguistic expression, intention, and social context in a comparative perspective across different languages and cultures
• foster understanding and intercultural dialogue in multiethnic and multilingual social contexts
• understand and explain the historical process of the formation and development of the Italian language, the factors of linguistic unification, and the relationships between language, dialects, and regional varieties from both historical and contemporary perspectives
• understand and explain the domains and phases that have characterized the expansion and vitality of Italian abroad, both as a language of culture and as a lingua franca, as well as the current demand for Italian internationally and the main motivations for learning the Italian language and culture
• be familiar with the sociolinguistic landscape of contemporary Italy and the language of new media, including with reference to the development of innovative educational tools
• develop specific knowledge of the languages, socio-cultural realities, and literary traditions of a European country (and/or those of the Far East or the Arab world)

Philological and Literary Area

• be familiar with Italian literary authors and works in relation to genres and the historical-cultural context of the various periods, including from a comparative perspective
• know the main critical methodologies for interpreting texts of the Italian literary tradition
• be acquainted with the principal methods of critical editing of texts, including their relationship to philology and linguistic history
• be able to interpret literary texts, placing them in an appropriate critical context and applying the main tools of historical, philological, linguistic, rhetorical-stylistic, and hermeneutic analysis, including for the development of effective didactic strategies for teaching Italian literature and cultural heritage to foreign learners

Historical-Political and Art History Area

• understand and interpret the historical developments that have affected Italy from the 19th to the 21st century, including both national events and the country’s role in the broader European and international context
• understand and explain expressions and evolutionary processes of Italian civilization, with reference to the history of ideas, cultural traditions, and political ideologies, both in their specificity and in their ongoing interaction with historical contexts, with particular attention to figures and movements of greater international significance
• be familiar with major Italian artists and artistic movements, with special reference to the rich Umbrian artistic heritage, and be able to make informed comparisons between different periods and trends
• be able to outline and reflect on a personal approach to Italian musicians of the past, in relation to modern and contemporary trends in the music market: economics, business, advertising, and music management

In the Linguistic curriculum, students will also acquire knowledge of a distant language (Chinese, Arabic, or Japanese) and focus their training and development of operational skills on specific areas and disciplines within theoretical and applied linguistics.

In the Cultural-Identity curriculum, students will deepen their theoretical training, enhancing their practical and research abilities in the most significant sectors of Italian cultural tradition, in relation to the historical factors shaping national identity and its projection abroad.

In both tracks, a solid curriculum in language pedagogy and culture is enriched by seminars, workshops, and professionalizing activities that demonstrate a specific interest in teaching Italian to foreign learners.

There is also the possibility for students to tailor their path by choosing electives from both tracks.

The main objective of the master's degree programme is to prepare future teachers of Italian as a second language (teaching class A23).

Graduates of ItaS may also pursue teaching positions in the A12 class (Literary subjects in upper secondary schools) and A22 class (Italian, history, geography in lower secondary schools).

An in-depth knowledge of Italian culture enables graduates to work for organisations and institutions dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture abroad, as well as the enhancement of Italy’s cultural heritage.

Career opportunities:

• teacher of Italian as a non-native language in state schools in Italy and abroad (teaching class A23, "Italian language for learners of other mother tongues")
• teacher of Italian, history, and geography in lower secondary schools
• teacher of literary subjects in upper secondary schools
• teacher of Italian as a non-native language in private schools and institutions, local training centres (CPIA), and other cultural or humanitarian organisations in Italy and abroad, including positions with organisational and management responsibilities for Italian language and culture courses
• language specialist in Italian language and culture courses, university language centres, and centres for language skills assessment and certification
• Italian language lector in universities and schools abroad
• cultural officer at Italian diplomatic missions abroad, including Italian Cultural Institutes, and at organisations and foundations promoting the Italian language and culture internationally
• editor and writer in the field of traditional or digital publishing related to Italian language teaching and Italian culture
• consultant and collaborator in public and private schools for the integration and linguistic support of foreign students
• linguistic and cultural mediator or facilitator
• researcher or field worker in research projects within Italian studies and linguistics, both theoretical and applied

Under the agreement signed with the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia), a double degree programme is also available. This allows students to obtain both the ItAS Master’s degree, awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, and the Master’s degree in Italian Language and Literature (LILE) - offered by the Faculty of Interdisciplinary, Italian and Cultural Studies at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia).

Under the agreement signed with the University of Lorraine (France), a double degree programme is also available. This allows students to obtain both the ItaS Master’s degree, awarded by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, and the Master MEEF - Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation, mention 2nd degré, Parcours italien, awarded by the University of Lorraine (Nancy campus).

* The ECTS credits for foreign language courses include 3 ECTS delivered by a native-speaking language assistant/lecturer.

** The elective educational activities are autonomously chosen by the student from master’s degree courses of the same level offered by the University.
Furthermore, the programme recommends the suggested options as they are considered consistent with the content and learning objectives of the degree course.

Students can check their study plans to see which courses are compulsory, optional, or elective.

To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable.

In addition, to enroll in the above-mentioned programme, students must:

• meet the required curricular prerequisites
• complete a non-selective interview to assess personal preparation. Candidates may take the interview provided they meet the curricular prerequisites. A non-selective practical test will also be administered to verify ICT skills.

Curricular Requirements

In order to enroll in the Master’s Degree Programme in Italian for Teaching to Foreigners, students must possess prior curricular knowledge amounting to a total of 54 ECTS credits (CFU) in the following scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSD):

A tolerance of up to 10% (equivalent to 6 ECTS credits) of the required credits is allowed. Relevant language and/or IT certifications and/or internships deemed pertinent to the listed areas and sectors may be counted towards this total. Any additional credits required to meet the curricular requirements must be acquired before enrolling in the Master’s Degree Programme and prior to the assessment of personal preparation. These credits may be obtained at any university in the form of “single courses” within first-cycle degree programmes.

For information on enrollment procedures for “single courses” at this University, please refer to the Academic Regulations.

The possession of curricular requirements will be verified by the Degree and Teaching Administration Office, to which students may submit their documentation by email at segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or in person at the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).

To verify curricular requirements, students must present the following documents:

• a copy of the degree certificate (for graduates) including the list of passed examinations with the corresponding credits and scientific-disciplinary sectors;
• a copy of the list of exams taken and to be taken (for graduating students), with the indication of the credits achieved and to be achieved and the relevant scientific-disciplinary sectors.