HFA Days: Teaching Language and Culture

March 27, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Olver Design Building, Room 170

Teaching and learning languages go well beyond mastering vocabulary, becoming familiar with verb conjugations, and navigating endless exceptions to general rules. It is an opportunity to change our perspective on the world and on ourselves. Italian faculty will reflect on their experiences teaching Italian language and culture, sharing both theoretical and practical approaches to teaching methodology, along with examples of student‑centered projects. Undergraduate and graduate students will also offer their perspectives as language learners and teachers in training. 

Speakers

• Stacy Giufre, Director of Italian Studies and Director of the Italian Language Program, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
• Roberto Ludovico, Associate Professor of Italian Studies and Graduate Program Director, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
• Michael Papio, Professor of Italian Studies and Director of UMass Medieval Studies, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
• Maria Eugenia Fairhurst Agosta, MAT candidate in Italian (expected graduation May 2027)
• Sonam Ottaviani, BA-Italian Studies (expected graduation May 2026)