Sofia Pentassuglia

Sofia Pentassuglia

Department of Modern Languages
Teaching Fellow in Italian

Contact details

Address
Ashley Building
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

I joined the University of Birmingham (The Department of Modern languages, Languages for All) in 2022 as Subject Lead.  I have taught Italian language and culture for over 24 years in different European institutional settings, designing and delivering classes targeted at students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Qualifications

  • PGCert in Human Rights (University of York)
  • Master in Italian Literature (Abilitazione all’insegnamento delle Discipline Letterarie) (University of Bolzano)
  • Master in Training Management (Milan - ISMO)
  • PGCert in Educational Settings and Group Dynamics (University of Bari).
  • BA in Education and Psychology (University of Bari)

Biography

My teaching career began in Italy, in secondary schools, after completing my Master in Italian Literature (Abilitazione all’Insegnamento delle discipline letterarie). Between 2000 and 2005 I taught Italian in several HE Institutions in Munich, Germany. In 2011, I joined the University of Liverpool (Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, Open Languages) where I delivered Italian language classes of all levels for UG and PG students, as well as staff and members of the public.

Throughout my career I have sought to combine my passion for teaching the Italian language and culture with my vision of education as a means of empowerment. This led me to a Fellowship awarded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998 to research on the topic of education and women’s empowerment at the University of Örebro, in Sweden; as well as to work at various junctures in the charity field as part of projects related to the education of female victims of modern slavery and racism.

Teaching

I currently teach Italian Level 1A/B and 2A/B as part of the Languages for All program, and Communication Skills within the Core Modules.