The Evolving Profile of Italian L2/LS Learners in The Digital Age. Reality and Implications for University Language Courses

The profound transformations that have taken place in the knowledge society, with the introduction of portable devices (smartphones, tablets) as well as new social networks (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) into social life, have fostered a changing profile of students who wish to study Italian as a second or foreign language. This profile was first outlined more than a decade ago, both from educational and technological perspectives. These changes undoubtedly have important implications for the organization of Italian as a second language courses offered at "Ismail Qemali"-University of Vlora in Albania. For a training program to meet the needs of its intended audience, it is essential to shed light on the changing profile of language course recipients. This involves considering their ?technological habits? in learning, noting similarities and differences in ICT use in daily routines, and examining how ICT can add value to complex language training. Needs analysis plays a key role in the design and organization of training programs. Indeed, it is precisely through the analysis of data collected through questionnaires, interviews, and field observations that teachers are able to meet learners' needs by designing specific learning paths and using appropriate tools and methods.