Iva Youkilis specializes in foreign language pedagogy, content- and project-based language instruction, and integrating creative digital tools in second language acquisition. She brings to the classroom her interest in diverse aspects of Italian culture, including history, literature, music, fashion, visual art, media, and mixed realities.
During her twenty years at WashU, Iva has coordinated the elementary and advanced Italian language sequence (101- 309), administered Placement Exams, and served as an acting DUS in Italian. Additionally, she has been a Four-Year Advisor and Major and Minor Advisor in Italian and a faculty liaison for student-organized groups. She has also directed the Summer Language Institute in Italy.
Her recent courses include Elementary and Intermediate Italian language courses (101-201), topical and non-topical conversation courses (215, 301, 319), and Advanced Italian (307) in traditional, hybrid, and online teaching modalities. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes adaptability, interculturality, integrating emerging technologies, and creating a student-centered, meaningful learning environment that encourages independent and collaborative activities, engagement, and participation.
In addition to teaching Italian, she enjoys being an active member of the Washinton University and national professional communities, organizing conferences and workshops, and promoting a tighter relationship among language faculty by encouraging the sharing of best practices, ideas, and pedagogical innovations.