Oriental languages and civilizations

MATILDE MASTRANGELO

The three-year course aims at the Japanese Language acquisition in the written and oral component and the development of communication skills from the elementary to the advanced level, with different degrees for each year. Although a framework of reference as for the European languages has not yet been definited for the Japanese language, the JF Standard proposed by the Japan Foundation, based on the European CEFR, is in use; this scheme refers to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with the N1-N2-N3-N4-N5 levels that are used in the following descriptions.
At the end of first year the student will reach the basic knowledge of grammar and their application in everyday life situations. The course includes language lessons aimed at providing the elementary syntax, the writing of alphabets and about 220 ideograms; many hours are dedicated to the development of communication skills, according to new language teaching techniques, to the strengthening of the concepts learned through class exercises and translation tests. Classes with native speakers further support the writing and conversation exercises.

Specific Goals
At the end of the first year the student will be able to present himself and others, to communicate in simple everyday situations, to translate basic sentences from Japanese to Italian and vice versa; he will then be able to obtain the N5 level and to use some grammatical and communicative structures of the JLPT level N4.

The three-year course has as its educational objectives the learning of the Japanese language in its written and oral components and the development of communicative skills from elementary to advanced levels, with different degrees of training for each year. Although a framework has not yet been definitively agreed upon for the Japanese language as for the European languages, reference is made to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with levels N1-N2-N3-N4-N5 being used in the following descriptions.
The first year aims to bring the student to the knowledge of basic grammar structures and their application in everyday situations. Lectures introduce basic syntax, writing alphabets and about 220 ideograms; ample space is devoted to the development of communicative skills, according to up-to-date language teaching techniques, systematization and fixation of learned concepts through in-class exercises and translation tests. Lessons with native speakers further support writing and speaking practice.

Not required

Program
Introduction to the characteristics of Japanese language, explanation of teaching methods, guidance on recommended study and learning techniques.
Introduction to writing the syllabic alphabets.
Introduction to writing and learning ideograms.
Basic structures of the Japanese language. Practice with Italian teacher and native speakers. Periodic verifications (not valid for final grade purposes) through written tests and oral tests in order to assess learning achievement and progress.

M.Mastrangelo, J.Oue, Il giapponese per gli italiani, Hoepli, Milano, 2018, I volume nuova edizione;
Mastrangelo, Ozawa, Saito, Grammatica giapponese (nuova edizione), Hoepli, 2016.

Method of conducting lectures
Frontal lectures with in-class exercises. Weekly assignment of homework and corrected by teachers via the Classroom platform.

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

Written exam consisting of grammar and translation exercises related to the syllabus explained in the course.
The grammar part includes: exercises related to recognizing and writing kanji; exercises in which sentences are completed with agglutinative particles; multiple-choice exercises designed to test knowledge of grammatical structures; reading and comprehension; and elaboration of a short composition using the structures studied.
The translation part consists of a passage of about 400 words to be translated from Japanese into Italian, without the use of dictionaries, to test comprehension and ability to render grammatical structures into Italian.
Both tests must be passed with a passing grade. The final grade is derived from the average of the marks obtained from the two tests.

Exercises similar to those in textbooks.

• First SemesterFirst week: Explanation of the course structure, covering both the Italian instructor’s component and that of the native-speaking instructors. Presentation of study methods and the examination format. Characteristics of the Japanese language. First lines of the hiragana syllabary. Writing hiragana characters (part 1). Japanese greetings (part 1). Expressions used in the classroom.Second week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 1. Further study of the hiragana syllabary. Writing hiragana characters (part 2). Writing katakana characters (part 1). Japanese greetings (part 2).Third week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 1. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 2. Study of the katakana syllabary. Writing katakana characters (part 2). Numbers from 1 to 100.Fourth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation and review of the grammatical structures of Unit 2. In-class practice through dictation, videos, and short conversations. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 1. Oral practice (personal presentation).Fifth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 3. Exercises from the textbook. Translation exercises. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 2. Listening exercise, Unit 1. Oral practice (Hobbies).Sixth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 3. In-class practice through dictation, videos, and short conversations. Conversation exercise (asking for and giving one’s phone number and date of birth). Administration of OPIS questionnaires.Seventh week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 4. Exercises from the textbook. Translation exercises. Study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 3. Listening exercise, Unit 2. Conversation exercise (asking for and indicating the location of shops and public places).Eighth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 4. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 4. Listening exercise, Unit 3. Conversation exercise (ordering; shopping). Numbers up to 10,000.Ninth week: Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 5. Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Translation exercises. Conversation exercise (telling the time). Exam simulation. The purpose of the exam simulation is both to review the material studied and to provide a practical demonstration of how the final assessment exam is conducted.Tenth week: Correction of the assessment test previously administered, used as an exam simulation, with comments on grammatical elements and practical aspects of the test. Listening to students’ questions. Completion of Unit 5. Introduction to the first elements of Unit 6. Translation exercises. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 5. Listening exercise, Unit 4. Completion of grammatical exercises. Conversation exercise (plans for the winter holidays).Eleventh week: General review in preparation for the Japanese Language and Translation I.I. exam. Conversation exercise (inviting a friend).
  • Books: Units 1–5 of the textbook listed in the bibliography.


• Second SemesterFirst week: General review of the topics covered in the Japanese Language and Translation I.I. course. Checking of the exercises from the review unit. Completion of Unit 6. Study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 6. Oral practice (talking about your holidays).Second week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 7. Study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 7, completion of the textbook exercises. In-class practice based on dictation, translation, and conversation. Listening exercise, Unit 6.Third week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 7. Study of kanji and completion of textbook exercises. In-class practice based on dictation, translation, and conversation (presenting an interesting city).Fourth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 8. In-class practice through dictation, videos, and short conversations. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 8. Listening exercise, Unit 7.Fifth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 8. Textbook exercises. Translation practice. Conversation exercise (talking about yesterday’s activities).Sixth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 9. In-class practice through dictation, videos, and short conversations. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 9. Listening exercise, Unit 8. Administration of OPIS questionnaires.Seventh week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Completion and review of Unit 9. Textbook exercises. Translation practice. Conversation exercise (organizing a party and inviting people).Eighth week: Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 10. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 10. Listening exercise, Unit 9. Exam simulation. The purpose of the exam simulation is both to review the material studied and to provide a practical demonstration of how the final assessment exam is conducted.Ninth week: Correction of the assessment test previously administered, used as an exam simulation, with comments on grammatical elements and practical aspects of the test. Completion of Unit 10. Introduction to the first elements of Unit 11. Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 11. Listening exercise, Unit 10. Conversation practice (describing a city: personal experiences, places to see, and activities to do).Tenth week: Listening to students’ questions. Explanation of the grammatical structures of Unit 11. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 11. Completion of grammatical exercises. Translation practice. Listening exercise, Unit 10.Eleventh week: Completion of Unit 11. Introduction to the first elements of Unit 12. Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Explanation and study of the kanji and vocabulary of Unit 12. Listening exercise, Unit 11. Conversation practice (giving advice to your friends coming from Japan to visit Rome).Twelfth week: Completion of Unit 12. Discussion of homework assignments to be completed as independent study and assigned via the Classroom platform. Listening to students’ questions. In-class practice through dictation, videos, short conversations, and group work. Listening exercise, Unit 12.Thirteenth week: General review in preparation for the Japanese Language and Translation I.II. exam.
  • Books: Units 6–12 of the textbook listed in the bibliography.