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

The master's program is aimed at:

• specializing Italian and foreign graduates who work in Italy and abroad in teaching the Italian language to students whose native language is not Italian
• training teaching staff from any subject area in the fields of interculturality and the learning/teaching of Italian as a non-native language, providing theoretical, linguistic-cultural knowledge and developing practical skills

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

The objectives consist in developing specific practical skills in teaching Italian language and culture as a foreign language (Italian abroad) and as a second language (immigrant students).

The possible employment fields where this qualification can be utilized are as follows:

• collaborator and linguistic expert at language centers in Italian universities for teaching Italian to foreign university students on mobility programs
• Italian L2/FL lecturer at Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC) or at foreign universities
• Italian language teacher at public institutions and private and/or parochial schools in Italy and abroad.

Obtaining the master's degree may also result in the awarding of points or credits for teaching staff at public and private schools and institutions abroad, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations there.

The title of this master’s degree (pursuant to Ministerial Decree No. 92 of 02/23/2016 by MIUR) is also recognized as a specialization in Italian as a Second Language valid for participation in competitive selection procedures for the A-23 chair class (Italian for non-native speakers) for both qualifications and exams for the recruitment of teaching staff, and is also a required qualification for access to the A-23 class.

For the provincial rankings (GPS), the note from the Ministry of Education, Department of Educational System and Training, no. 162 of 02/02/2021 recognizes 3 points for specialization titles in Italian L2 as outlined in Annex A of Ministerial Decree No. 92 of 02/23/2016.

The University Educational Credits (CFU) / European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) obtained in the Master’s can be used within the university system, both in Italy and abroad (bachelor’s and/or master’s degree courses or equivalent courses abroad).

Obtaining the master's degree in Teaching Italian as a Non-Native Language allows for abbreviated enrollment in 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, in two academic years, the candidate can obtain the master's degree, and the following year the title of Master’s Graduate. The two connected paths create a highly trained and competitive professional profile in the field of teaching Italian as a second or foreign language.

Bachelor’s degree under the new system or four-year degree under the system in force prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, in any field of study, or a foreign degree recognized as equivalent.

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

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

• a degree earned in Italy
• a foreign degree that includes at least three years of Italian language study
• a research doctorate 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. Chiara Silvestrini – Language expert associate t. ind.
Prof. Borbala Samu – Associate Professor SSD: GLOT-01/B (formerly L-LIN/02)
Dr. Claudia Fedeli – Language expert associate t. ind.

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 associate t. ind.

Remote format:
7 months (October 2026 – April 2027) of asynchronous learning with pre-recorded lessons and 2 months (May 2027 – July 2027) of synchronous learning.

Language: Italian

Recognized ECTS credits: 60

Participants: minimum: 20 - maximum: 50

Registration fee: €2,800.00 payable in three installments

The master's program lasts 1,500 hours (60 ECTS credits).

It features a variety of remote teaching methods, combining synchronous lessons (which will also be recorded) and asynchronous lessons. This variety of teaching, along with e-tivities and discussion forums, is highly advantageous for learning and for acquiring skills to manage multilingual and multiethnic classes.

Specifically, the Master’s program provides for the three Educational Clusters:

1. Synchronous teaching activities with remote tutoring
   The lessons delivered remotely in synchronous mode, which will also be recorded, are intended to create a community among students. Synchronous lessons allow for dialogical exchanges and direct interaction with instructors. Additionally, some key points from the lessons will be resumed and discussed in discussion forums, under the supervision of tutors.
2. Asynchronous teaching activities
   These are pre-recorded video lessons and represent the main teaching modality of the Master. To encourage synchronous and direct exchange with the instructor, about a couple of hours are still delivered live (synchronously).
3. Monitored remote ‘internship’ activities
   The Practicum, a strong point of the entire program, connects the rich theoretical component with practical application. The Practicum is an internship with a strong professional focus, developed through an intensive program of guided teaching practice with expert tutor-instructors, and takes place on the EDUNEXT online platform.
   It is made up of three phases in which participants are constantly assisted and guided by tutors:
   1. Monitored Teaching Activities (ADM)
   2. Observation of video-recorded lessons of various types
   3. Live synchronous observation (optional)

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

Assessment tests are planned at the end of each cluster and after the synchronous lessons; the Practicum activities will be evaluated by the Practicum tutors. At the end of the training program, a final exam is foreseen.

Final Exam

The student will be required to write a report.

The report will consist of two parts: a thoughtful reflection on the entire training experience, or an in-depth study on a topic of your choice covered during the Master's program, and a reflection on the internship, with particular attention to self- and peer-observation.

The report will be discussed in the presence of a committee composed of the Director, instructors, and tutors, and it will be graded.

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

The scores are divided as follows:

• three Educational Clusters: 55%
• practicum: 35%
• final exam: 10%

Remote attendance mode:
5 months (October 2025 - March 2026) of asynchronous learning and approximately 3 months (March 2026 - July 2026) of synchronous learning.

Language: Italian

Recognized credits: 60

Participants: minimum: 20 - maximum: 50

Registration fee: €2,500.00 to be paid in three installments

 elearning calendar - practicum calendar

The Master's program has a duration of 1500 hours (60 ECTS credits), structured along a learning path that includes:

• Platform introduction
• 11 e-learning modules: e-learning study activities with remote tutoring (virtual classes, that is, learning communities that meet in practice and discussion forums moderated by tutors) aimed at strengthening and expanding the basic skills acquired. Through the e-learning mode, individual remote study is combined with constant and monitored interaction between course participants and module tutors, as well as among the participants themselves, using the platform's tools. Meetings via Teams are also scheduled with many of the module authors
• 5 synchronous lesson modules on Teams
• Practicum: in-person lessons, focus groups, preparatory seminars for the internship and lab activities

What is the Practicum?
The Practicum is an internship with a strong professional focus, developed through an intensive period of teaching practice guided by experienced teacher-tutors and conducted on the MS Teams platform. It is divided into three phases in which participants are constantly assisted and guided by the teacher-tutors:
1. an observation phase of lessons in classes of Italian for foreigners, organized through observation forms (on Teams - synchronous mode);
2. a teaching practice phase in classes of foreign students formed specifically by the University for Foreigners of Perugia. The lessons, which are video-recorded, will first be analyzed by students through self-assessment, then discussed collectively. In each of these stages, participants are supported by experienced teacher-tutors
3. in the final week of the Master's program, as an optional activity and upon request, students will have the possibility to personally attend some lessons in person at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.

The platform for asynchronous distance learning activities will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; in this way, participants, while respecting the course's academic calendar, can organize their study activities according to their own needs.

A facilitator tutor will assist participants throughout the course, serving as a link between the learners, the teaching staff, and the technical administrative staff.

Assessment tests are scheduled at the end of the e-learning modules and the synchronous lessons; Practicum activities will be evaluated by the Practicum tutors. At the end of the program, there will be a final exam.