DITALS Level I Exam

The Level I DITALS is a certification exam that attests to good general competence in teaching Italian L2 in relation to any learning context, supplemented by specific competence referring to a particular target profile chosen by the candidates: children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, immigrants, university students, learners of Italian origin, learners of homogeneous mother tongues: Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, German, tourist-hotel operators, Catholic clergy and USA - University Study Abroad students.

To enter the Level I DITALS exam, the candidate must meet each of the prerequisites listed below:

1. Language proficiency.

For candidates whose native language is not Italian, proficiency in Italian at the C1 level attested by one of the following qualifications is required:

- international certification

- secondary school degree obtained in Italy or at Italian schools abroad

- degree in Italian studies obtained abroad

2. Qualification.

High school diploma (valid for admission to university in the country in which it was obtained).

3. Glottodidactic training

At least 24 hours of glottodidactic training acquired in one of the following ways:

- Level I DITALS course at the University for Foreigners of Siena

- Level I DITALS course at DITALS monitored institutions

- 2 online DITALS modules organized by the DITALS Center

- passing a university examination in the glottodidactic area of at least 3 CFUs

4. Teaching Experience.

At least 60 hours of teaching activity carried out according to one of the following:

- teaching or internship in classes of Italian to foreigners

- API pathway - Preparatory activity for full teaching

- Teaching of any subject discipline at public or private school of which at least 15 hours of teaching or internship in classes of Italian to foreigners (note a)

The required hours of teaching activities may be cumulative as long as they are included in the above types.

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(a) Those who are required to integrate at least 15 hours of teaching or internship in classes of Italian to foreigners may substitute them by attending one of the 4 online modules provided in the API pathway - Preparatory Activity for Teaching.

Those who hold the DITALS BASIC Certification can enter the DITALS Level I exam with the following prerequisites:

1. Linguistic competence in Italian.

For non-Italian native speakers, proficiency in Italian at the C1 level (attested by one of the qualifications listed above) is required.

2. Teaching Experience.

At least 60 hours of teaching activity carried out according to one of the following:

- teaching or internship in Italian classes for foreigners

- API pathway - Preparatory activity for teaching

- teaching of any disciplinary subject of which at least 15 hours of teaching or internship in classes of Italian to foreigners (note a)

The required hours of teaching activities may be cumulative as long as they are included in the above types.

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(a) Those who are required to integrate at least 15 hours of teaching or internship in classes of Italian to foreigners may substitute them by attending one of the 4 online modules provided in the API pathway - Preparatory Activity for Teaching.

The exam specifically assesses competence in teaching Italian as a foreign language to a particular profile of learners (candidate's choice):

- children

- adolescents

- adults and seniors

- immigrants

- university students

- students of Italian origin

- students of homogeneous native speakers (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, German)

- hotel and tourism workers

- opera singers

- Catholic clergy*

- US students (University Study Abroad)*

*Examination sessions for Catholic religious profiles and US students will be held only at the University for Foreigners of Siena and at specially agreed venues.