Frequently Asked Questions

It is a cultural qualification issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena that certifies a certain level of theoretical and practical competence in the field of teaching Italian as a foreign language.

It is structured in two independent levels, each requiring a separate exam.

  • Level I consists of three written tests that assess basic theoretical and practical competence in teaching Italian as a foreign language, aimed at a specific learner profile
  • Level II consists of three written tests and an oral test, which assess advanced competence in teaching Italian as a foreign language to any learner profile and in any teaching context.

Level I:
Italian and foreign citizens, graduates or high school diploma holders, with teaching experience or internship activities in Italian language classes for foreigners, or with teaching experience in any subject supplemented by at least 10 hours of internship activities in Italian language classes for foreigners.


Level II:
Italian and foreign citizens, graduates in Italy (or graduates in Italian studies), with experience in teaching Italian to foreigners and in-depth knowledge in the field of language teaching methodology.

  1. For candidates whose first language is Italian, a minimum A2 level of the CEFR in a foreign language is required, based on one of the following qualifications: international certification, a specific degree (degree in languages), passing an exam in the chosen language at university, or a degree obtained in the country of the chosen foreign language (a).

For candidates whose first language is not Italian, at least one of the following qualifications is required:
– International Certification of Italian C1 level of the CEFR
– Secondary school diploma (first and second degree) or higher education qualification obtained in Italy or at Italian schools abroad
– First-level Italian language diploma from the University for Foreigners of Siena
– Degree in Italian Studies obtained abroad

  1. University degree/High school diploma (valid for university admission in the country where it was obtained)
  2. Language teaching training (minimum 24 hours), which can be fulfilled by choosing one of the following options:
  • DITALS Level I orientation course at the University for Foreigners of Siena
  • 2 online modules (“Materials Analysis” and “Materials Design”) organized by the DITALS Center – University for Foreigners of Siena
  • In-person orientation course at DITALS-accredited institutions
  • Passing the final exam of a university course related to teaching Italian as a second language (L2), language teaching methodology, or foreign language teaching (such as those in the scientific-disciplinary field L-LIN/02), equivalent to at least 3 ECTS credits.
  1. A declaration certifying the teaching activity carried out, according to one of the following cases:
  • At least 60 hours of Italian language teaching in Italian language classes for foreigners (including as a teaching assistant at foreign public institutions);
  • At least 60 hours of internship in Italian language classes for foreigners, in Italy or abroad (b);
  • At least 60 hours of teaching any subject at any type of public or private institution or school (including volunteer organizations), of which at least 15 hours must be of teaching or internship in Italian language classes for foreigners (b).

The required hours of teaching activity can be accumulated as long as they are included in the types mentioned above.

  1. ECDL computer certification or an equivalent qualification, or a specific degree (degree in computer science), or passing a university exam in computer science (c).

For those who hold the DITALS “BASE” certification and wish to access the DITALS Level I exam, the following prerequisites are required:

  1. For candidates whose first language is not Italian, an international certification of Italian language proficiency at C1 level is required.

   For candidates whose first language is Italian, a minimum A2 level of the CEFR in a foreign language is required, based on one of the following qualifications: international certification, a specific degree (degree in languages), passing a university exam in the chosen language, or a qualification obtained in the country of the chosen foreign language.

  1. Orientation course of at least 6 hours, focused on the profile of learners for whom they intend to take the exam, or alternatively, an API module.
  2. ECDL computer certification or an equivalent qualification, or a specific degree (degree in computer science), or passing a university exam in computer science.

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(a) In the absence of the qualification mentioned in point 1, proficiency in the foreign language will be verified before the exam by translating a short text from Italian into the foreign language indicated by the candidate.
(b) The internship activity in Italian language classes for foreigners can be entirely conducted online at the University for Foreigners of Siena, through the API – Preparatory Teaching Activity program. Those who need to complete at least 15 hours of teaching or internship in Italian language classes for foreigners can replace them by attending one of the 4 online modules provided in the API program (see the “Preparatory Teaching and Training Activities” section on the website).
(c) In the absence of the certification mentioned in point 5, computer proficiency will be verified before the exam through a specific question.

  • Children
  • Teenager
  • Adults and elderly
  • Immigrants
  • University students
  • Learners of Italian descent
  • Learners with specific native languages (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic)
  • Tourism and hospitality workers
  • Catholic religious workers1
  • USA students (University Study Abroad)1

1The exam sessions for Catholic religious workers and USA students will only take place at specifically authorized locations.

To access the exam, the candidate must meet each of the following prerequisites:
1. For candidates whose first language is Italian, a minimum A2 level of the CEFR in a foreign language is required, based on one of the following qualifications: international certification, a specific degree (degree in languages), passing a university exam in the chosen language, or a qualification obtained in the country of the chosen foreign language (a). 

For candidates whose first language is not Italian, at least one of the following qualifications is required:
– International certification of Italian at C2 level of the CEFR
– Secondary school diploma (first and second degree) or higher education qualification obtained in Italy or at Italian schools abroad.
– First-level Italian language diploma from the University for Foreigners of Siena.
– Degree in Italian Studies obtained abroad.

  1. Bachelor’s degree in the humanities or a postgraduate qualification related to language teaching methodology.
  2. Language teaching methodology training (minimum 30 hours), which can be fulfilled by choosing one of the following options:
  • DITALS Level II orientation course at the University for Foreigners of Siena
  • 3 online modules organized by the DITALS Center at the University for Foreigners of Siena
  • In-person course held at DITALS-accredited institutions
  • Passing the final exam of a university course related to the teaching of Italian as a second language (L2), language teaching methodology, or foreign language teaching (such as those in the scientific-disciplinary field L-LIN/02), equivalent to at least 6 ECTS credits.
  1. A declaration certifying at least 300 “qualified” hours (b) of teaching Italian to foreigners in Italy or abroad (including as a teaching assistant at foreign public institutions). The certified hours must be actual teaching, carried out independently by the candidate, and no form of internship will be accepted.
  2. ECDL computer certification or an equivalent qualification, or a specific degree (degree in computer science), or passing a university exam in computer science (c).
    – However, those who hold a degree in a non-humanities field may still be admitted if they provide a declaration certifying at least 600 “qualified” hours (see note b) of teaching Italian to foreigners in Italy or abroad.

Those who hold the DITALS Level I certification (or the CEDILS and DILS certifications) can access the DITALS Level II exam through one of the following pathways:

  • A degree in the humanities + 60 hours of teaching Italian to foreigners in Italy or abroad (in addition to the hours already completed to access Level I), as specified in note (b), or a monitored internship in Italian language classes for foreigners carried out exclusively at Universities, Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC), and DITALS-accredited institutions, or alternatively, see note (e) + 1 supplementary module of at least 6 hours on the D test (d), or passing a university exam in the scientific-disciplinary field L-LIN/02 equivalent to at least 6 ECTS credits.
  • A degree in a non-humanities field + 300 hours of qualified teaching of Italian to foreigners in Italy or abroad at the institutions mentioned in the note, of which a maximum of 60 hours can be monitored internship in Italian language classes for foreigners carried out exclusively at Universities, Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC), and DITALS-accredited institutions + 1 supplementary module of at least 6 hours on the D test (see note d).

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(a) In the absence of the qualification mentioned in point 1, proficiency in the foreign language will be verified before the exam by translating a short text from Italian into the foreign language indicated by the candidate.
(b) List of recognized institutions for teaching hours: In Italy: Public schools, public universities, CPIA, ASILS schools, DITALS-accredited and monitored institutions, CILS-accredited institutions. Abroad: Public schools, public universities, Italian Cultural Institutes (IIC), managing institutions, Italian schools abroad, DITALS-accredited and monitored institutions, CILS-accredited institutions.

If the candidate has completed teaching hours at institutions not belonging to the categories listed above, they must attach to the exam application a report written by the scientific supervisor, containing:

– A brief CV of the scientific supervisor of the institution

– The period during which the teaching hours were carried out and the profile of the learners

– A brief evaluation by the scientific supervisor regarding the conduct of the course and the results achieved by the teacher.
(c) In the absence of the certification mentioned in point 5, computer skills will be verified before the exam through a specific question.
(d) The module can be taken online (Classroom Management module), offered by the University for Foreigners of Siena, or in person in Siena (6 hours) or at one of our accredited institutions in Italy or abroad.

(e) The monitored internship in Italian language classes for foreigners can be completed entirely online at the University for Foreigners of Siena, through the API – Preparatory Teaching Activities program (see the section “Preparatory Teaching and Training Activities” on the website).

In addition to the prerequisites indicated for the two exam levels (questions 4 and 6), is required:

Level I

  • Good knowledge of Italian (C1 level of the QCER )
  • University degree or high school diploma valid for admission to university in the country where it was obtained, translated, authenticated, and accompanied by a statement of comparability.

Level II

  • Excellent knowledge of Italian (C2 level of the QCER)
  • Specific degree in Italian Studies, translated, authenticated, and accompanied by a statement of comparability.

The Level II Certification has been included in the table of qualifications evaluable for access to the competition for teaching staff in state schools (established by Ministerial Decree No. 81 of September 21, 2012, and published on the MIUR website) and corresponds to 0.25 points. For more information on the evaluation of cultural qualifications, it is advisable to consult the website: http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/web/istruzione/home and the local school offices.

Its recognition and scoring depend on the regulations of individual countries and institutions where it is presented. For more information, it is advisable to consult the Italian diplomatic representations abroad.

In Italy:

  • Language centers at universities
  • Permanent territorial centers (CTP)
  • Primary, secondary, and high schools (with foreign students)
  • Volunteer associations for the reception of immigrant workers
  • Cultural associations
  • Private language schools
  • Foreign companies in Italy
  • Employment agencies

Abroad:

  • Italian embassies
  • Italian cultural institutes
  • Italian departments at universities
  • Language centers at universities
  • Italian companies
  • Private language schools
  • Associations of Italian emigrants
  • Cultural associations

For the Accademia Italiana Salerno location, at least 40 days before the exam date, the application to join the Level I or Level II exams must be sent to the email address rachele@accademia-italiana.it or info@accademia-italiana.it, along with the payment receipt for the first exam fee.

Level I:

  • € 20,00* + 150,00 (1 profile)
  • € 20,00* + 150,00 + 120,00 (2 profiles)
  • € 50,00 for each section to be retaken

Level II:

  • € 40,00* + 220,00
  • € 55,00 for each section to be retaken

* The fee of €20.00 (Level I) and €40.00 (Level II) must be paid at the time of submitting the application for registration and is non-refundable.

  • Candidates who took the exam at the University for Foreigners of Siena will receive a summary of their DITALS exam results about three months after the exam date.
  • Candidates who took the exam at affiliated centers will receive a summary of their DITALS exam results from the institution where they took the exam, about three months after the exam date.

The DITALS course is structured as follows:

  • 30 hours of lessons over the course of 5 days, during which the following activities are scheduled:
    • Basic glottodidactic training with in-depth focus on exam tasks
    • A specific path for the chosen learner profile
    • Analysis and design of teaching materials
    • Exam simulation

It is an active internship that involves the gradual participation in the classroom. It includes a period of observation with one of our specialized teachers, followed by a gradual path of support until the intern begins teaching independently. The intern will always have a specialized teacher as a tutor, with whom they will plan lessons and conduct simulations.