Luigia (Gina) Maiellaro

Gina Maiellaro is a teaching professor and the coordinator of the Italian Program at the World Languages Center. Her primary areas of teaching are Italian language, linguistics, and culture.

Originally from Italy, she received her PhD from the Russian State University of the Humanities (Moscow) in philology and the history of the language. Dr. Maiellaro taught Italian language and culture at Moscow State University, and in 2001, she joined Northeastern University as a lecturer. As program coordinator she has worked on various projects including producing common curriculum descriptors and objectives, as well as common assessment criteria.

Dr. Maiellaro’s academic research explores second language acquisition with a special focus on language for specific purposes, “processed input,” and written corrective feedback, about which she has presented at various national and international conferences. She is also working on testing methods and has created and piloted a computer-based and adaptive placement test for WLC.

Dr. Maiellaro is actively involved with national and local associations promoting and supporting the teaching of Italian language and culture in the United States. In 2014 she was elected New England representative for AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian). She is currently member of the board of directors of MITA (Massachusetts Italian Teachers Association) and of the Educational Committee Board of the Italian Consulate in Boston.