ITALIAN TEACHING AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN UNIVERSITY CONTEXT STUDY CASE: FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN LUZ)

Learning a foreign language is a task that many times becomes complex, but it is an important tool that facilitates beings to be updated with the latest novelties in scientific and technical areas. Nevertheless, in spite of English is known as the international language used in science and technology, there are other professionals' careers such as Architecture and Design which information is published in Italian as well. Considering this statement as a basis to develop a diagnostic study in order to detect students' needs and interests regarding Italian teaching as a foreign language in the university context specifically at the Faculty of Architecture and Design of LUZ (FADLUZ), constituted the main purpose of the present research. The theoretical framework used to reach this goal were represented by the contributions reported by Giacaloni (2008); Angelini (2004); Mezzadri (2001); Garcia (2000), among others who dealt with courses design for language teaching. Based on this theoretical support, a descriptive methodology was developed with a documental research design. Results gathered from the instrument specially design and applied to a 30 students' sample lead to conclude that Italian teaching as a foreign language in the university context was relevant due to the four language skills development (a 100%). Furthermore, learning this language improves their cultural background and contributes to train them as future professionals from an integral perspective.