Teaching Italian at University in China and Intercultural Communication: Cultural and Methodological Adaptations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2238-8281.v0i52p101-131

Keywords:

Italian at the University level in China, Intercultural communication, Teaching Italian as a foreign language, Narrative Inquiry, Researching Multilingually

Abstract

This paper is part of the studies on intercultural communication in foreign language teaching, with a specific focus on Italian language classes in universities in the People’s Republic of China. This study aims to resume and deepen what was previously developed by Zhao (2016). Zhao conducted a qualitative investigation according to the methodological approach of Narrative Inquiry (NI). The study involved native English teachers analyzing their perceptions regarding intercultural communication with Chinese students. The intent of the authors of this paper is to replicate that research and extend it to the context of Italian teachers working in Chinese academic institutions in order to investigate the interaction from the point of view of intercultural communication between native Italian teachers and Chinese students in a university context in China. The data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically with the qualitative analysis software ATLAS.ti and MAXQDA. On the one hand, the analysis confirms the conformity of some aspects to the replicated study; on the other hand, new themes emerged that reflect the change in society. In particular, adaptation and comparison with colleagues are highlighted as fundamental strategies for effective intercultural communication in the Italian language classroom.

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Author Biographies

  • Xueqian Yao, University of Sassari

    Graduated in Italian Language and Culture at Dalian University of Foreign Languages ​​in China. After an exchange period at the University of Bologna during her undergraduate degree, she obtained a master's degree in Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners. After returning to China, she taught Italian for three years at Jilin International Studies University, and worked in intercultural mediation. She later obtained a PhD in Cultures, Literatures, Tourism and Territory at the University of Sassari, conducting research on the integration of Chinese international students in Italy. She currently works with intercultural communication and academic mobility between China and Italy.

     

    YAO, Xueqian. L'integrazione degli studenti internazionali cinesi nelle università e nelle istituzioni AFAM italiane: situazione attuale e misure per promuoverne l'integrazione. Tesi (Dottorato in Culture, Letterature, Turismo e Territorio) ‒ Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, 2024. Disponibile all’indirizzo: https://iris.uniss.it/handle/11388/351889.

    SILEI, Fabrizio. Mio nonno è una bestia! [Daodan yeye]. Trad. Zhang Mi e Yao Xueqian. Kunming: Chenguang Chubanshe, 2020.

  • Silvia Scolaro, Università Ca' Foscari

    Has a degree in Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. After graduating, she moved to the People's Republic of China where she taught Italian as a second language for several years. During this same period she attended the I and II level Masters in Teaching and Promotion of the Italian Language to Foreigners at the ITALS Laboratory. After returning to Italy, she taught Italian to Chinese and international students in several Italian universities (Pavia, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Venice). She also attended a specialization course in Teaching to Learners with Special Educational Needs organized by the DEAL Group. She is currently a PhD student in Language Sciences at the Department of Comparative Linguistic and Cultural Studies of Ca’ Foscari University. She has several publications on teaching Italian to Chinese.

     

    SCOLARO, Silvia; TOMASI, Matilde. Second Language Teaching with Refugees: Educational Experiences and Welcoming Environments. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, v. 12, n. 2, 2025, p. 92-115.

    SERRAGIOTTO, Graziano; SCOLARO, Silvia. Chinese International Students in Italy: A Teaching Model. International Journal of Linguistics, 2025,  p. 65-84.

    QU, Shanshan; SCOLARO, Silvia. Noun phrases in the interlanguage of chinese university students learning italian as a second foreign language: a corpus study. Italiano LinguaDue, v. 16, n. 2, 2025, p. 142-177.

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Published

2025-12-27

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No. 52 (2025)

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How to Cite

Yao, X., & Scolaro, S. (2025). Teaching Italian at University in China and Intercultural Communication: Cultural and Methodological Adaptations. Revista De Italianística, 52, 101-131. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2238-8281.v0i52p101-131