Profile photograph of Dr. Iva Youkilis
Teaching Professor of Italian
143 Arts & Science Building
573-882-1915
Education

M.A. Italian Literature, University of Virginia 

B.A. Italian and Russian Language, Literature, and Linguistics University of Zagreb, Croatia

Research

My recent scholarly presentations include:

  • “Language Learning with the Metaverse Technology: Praxis Perspectives.” MWALLT 2024 Conference. Iowa City, IA. March 2024.
  • “Enhancing Language Learning Through the Use of Metaverse Technology.” American Council of Foreign Language Teaching (ACTFL). Chicago, IL. November 2023. Co-presented.
  • “Exploring the Role of Augmented Reality (AR) in Second Language Acquisition.”Foreign Languages of Missouri (FLAM), Annual Conference. Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo. October 2023.
  • “Advocacy Round Table.” Foreign Languages of Missouri (FLAM), Annual Conference. Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo. October 2023.
  • “Transforming Language Learning with Augmented Reality: A Fossett Lab Experience.” Incubator for Transdisciplinary Futures: Immersive Tech Week. Washington University in St. Louis, September 2023.
  • “AR in Language Learning.” Language Teaching Fair. The Coalition of Language Teaching and Learning (CLTL). Washington University in St. Louis, August 2023.
  • “Developing Intercultural Competence through Communicative Online Programs.” American Council of Foreign Language Teaching (ACTFL). Boston, MA. November 2022.
  • “Mixed Realities in Language Teaching and Learning.” Foreign Languages of Missouri (FLAM), Annual Conference. Washington University in St. Louis, October 2022.
  • “Scaffolding Strategies to Support Reading for Second Language Learners of Spanish and Italian.” 2022 DESE/OCCR Summer Professional Learning Series. Columbia, Missouri. July 2022.
  • “Engaging Students in Authentic Conversations.” LLC Symposium, St. Louis University. April 2022.
  • “Let’s Talk About TalkAbroad.” Language Teaching Fair. The Coalition of Language Teaching and Learning (CLTL). August 2022.
  • “In omaggio a Guido Leopold Weiss.” Club Italiano Per Piacere. St. Louis, MO. April 2022.
  • “Pandemic Inspired Teaching Practices: Should it Stay or Should it Go?” Language Teaching Fair. The Coalition of Language Teaching and Learning (CLTL). August 2021.
  • “Languages and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Language Learners in St. Louis, Missouri.” Heritage Language Exchange Colloquium. Virtual. February 2021.
Teaching

I teach across the Italian language, literature, and culture curriculum, including courses in the following categories: 

  • Elementary and Intermediate Italian
  • Conversation classes
  • Fully Online Elementary Italian
  • Advanced grammar and composition classes 
  • Independent Studies on Italo Calvino's Se una notte d'inverno un viaggiatore (2010) and Andrej Longo's Dieci (2013)