Paper Title
ROMANA MENTE, A NEW TOOL TO TEACH ITALIAN AS SECOND LANGUAGE

Abstract
Abstract - This paper presents a new concept and tool to teach, specifically, Italian language and culture but theoretically and potentially a variety of humanistic subjects. Using as a starting point a map of google, different paths around the city of Rome both virtually and real were created. Along the paths were added google markers with links to different activities. The different activities varied from video, to readings to different kind of exercises. Each activity was created with the aim of teaching Italian language and culture (specifically in the trial IT101- intro to Italian language and culture)using as a starting point the city of Rome, with its history, art, statues monuments and characters. The teaching tool was tested in some classroom and the results were compared to other classes were a “traditional” book was used. Keywords - Teaching Italian as a second language, Digital education, American Universities in Rome, Language as Culture, Digital Humanities and Pedagogy.