Japanese Language and Translation I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course, which is structured into three modules, is designed for students who already possess a solid foundation in Japanese, equivalent to at least 300 hours of formal instruction, including official courses and practical exercises. A good command of the Italian language is also required. The aim of the course is to prepare students for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N3 or N2. Students will be introduced to the lexical and morphological components of the language structures and expressions studied, as well as to the principles behind their formation. They will learn to recognise these structures in written and spoken texts, and to understand their pragmatic relationship with discourse and context. Furthermore, students will learn to assess which structures are appropriate for various communicative situations, and to use them effectively both in speaking and writing.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to identify, understand and appropriately use Japanese fundamental grammar, vocabulary and syntactical structures in relatively complex communicative settings. They will be able to put in practice what they have studied, paying particular attention to the sociocultural and communicative context in which they are required to speak or write. Students are expected to achieve level N3 or N2 on the JLPT scale, corresponding approximately to a B2-C1 level according to the CEFR.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is for students with a solid basic knowledge of Japanese, equivalent to at least 300 hours of classroom study, including official courses and practice sessions. A good command of Italian may also be required. The course covers the first half of the intermediate-level Japanese program. The textbook used is New Approach Chūkyū Nihongo.
Module 1 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Covers Units 1-10 of New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course, with medium-length texts featuring intermediate vocabulary and complex structures, grammar exercises, essay prompts (sakubun), JLPT N3-level listening tests, and a variety of grammar patterns (bunkei): comparison, state or resemblance, degree or change, contrast, hearsay, time, conjecture, prediction, cause/motivation, etc. Each unit introduces new grammar patterns, vocabulary, and practice in written and oral comprehension.
Module 2 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Covers Units 11-20 of New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course, with the same structure as Module 1, including JLPT N3 and N2-level listening and grammar patterns: comparison, resemblance, contrast, hearsay, conjecture, prediction, conclusion, etc.
Module 3 - Japanese for Business
Focuses on business correspondence and workplace communication, emphasizing accurate reading, interpretation, and translation from Japanese into Italian, as well as writing business texts in Japanese. Special attention is given to keigo (honorific language) and context-appropriate expressions depending on sociocultural setting, hierarchy, and communication medium.
Module 4 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Consolidation and practice on Units 1-20 of New Approach. Review and preparation for the final exam.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS
With native-speaking instructors, students will practice the four main skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. These sessions are fully conducted in Japanese to provide immersion. Alongside J Bridge to Intermediate Japanese, students must independently study a list of 250 JLPT N2-level kanji (writing, readings, and vocabulary).
The course is intermediate-level, requiring full completion of introductory textbooks (Minna no Nihongo Vol. I & II, Nihongo Shokyū, Japanese for College Students Vol. 1-3). Writing practice covers N2-level kanji (235 characters, numbers 301-535 in the kanji textbook, Units 15-25). The list is available on Ariel. Active participation in all modules and practice sessions is essential for exam success.
Module 1 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Covers Units 1-10 of New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course, with medium-length texts featuring intermediate vocabulary and complex structures, grammar exercises, essay prompts (sakubun), JLPT N3-level listening tests, and a variety of grammar patterns (bunkei): comparison, state or resemblance, degree or change, contrast, hearsay, time, conjecture, prediction, cause/motivation, etc. Each unit introduces new grammar patterns, vocabulary, and practice in written and oral comprehension.
Module 2 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Covers Units 11-20 of New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course, with the same structure as Module 1, including JLPT N3 and N2-level listening and grammar patterns: comparison, resemblance, contrast, hearsay, conjecture, prediction, conclusion, etc.
Module 3 - Japanese for Business
Focuses on business correspondence and workplace communication, emphasizing accurate reading, interpretation, and translation from Japanese into Italian, as well as writing business texts in Japanese. Special attention is given to keigo (honorific language) and context-appropriate expressions depending on sociocultural setting, hierarchy, and communication medium.
Module 4 - New Approach Japanese Intermediate Course: Grammar, Reading, and Listening
Consolidation and practice on Units 1-20 of New Approach. Review and preparation for the final exam.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS
With native-speaking instructors, students will practice the four main skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. These sessions are fully conducted in Japanese to provide immersion. Alongside J Bridge to Intermediate Japanese, students must independently study a list of 250 JLPT N2-level kanji (writing, readings, and vocabulary).
The course is intermediate-level, requiring full completion of introductory textbooks (Minna no Nihongo Vol. I & II, Nihongo Shokyū, Japanese for College Students Vol. 1-3). Writing practice covers N2-level kanji (235 characters, numbers 301-535 in the kanji textbook, Units 15-25). The list is available on Ariel. Active participation in all modules and practice sessions is essential for exam success.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is intended for students already possessing good knowledge of Japanese, equivalent to approximately 400 hours of instruction (lectures, exercises, and seminars), or the completion of major introductory textbooks such as Minna no Nihongo Shokyū, Genki Japanese, Impariamo il giapponese, etc. Knowledge of all JLPT N5 and N4 grammar rules, and about 550 kanji in writing (roughly equivalent to those learned in the first three years of school in Japan, as well as JLPT N5, N4, and N3 levels, or textbooks such as Minna no Nihongo Kanji Eigoban I & II) is required. The full kanji list, with readings and sample vocabulary, is published on the Ariel platform.
Teaching methods
The official course consists of 80 hours of lectures across three modules over two semesters, plus 80 hours of practice sessions. Practice focuses on the four language skills. Homework will be assigned regularly to assess progress. Additional events or guest lectures may also be held. Attendance is strongly recommended for proper exam preparation.
Teaching Resources
· Bibliography, Module 1
Oyanagi, Noboru. Nyū Apurōchi Chūkyū Nihongo (kisohen) kaiteiban = New Approach. Japanese Intermediate Course. Tokyo: Nihongo Kenkyūsha, 2002. ISBN 9784931315150
Additional materials prepared by the instructor will be uploaded online or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 2
Miura, Akira & Oka, Mayumi. Rapid Reading Japanese. Nihongo no Sokudoku. Tokyo: The Japan Times, 1998. ISBN 9784789009157
Additional materials will be uploaded online on Ariel or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 3
Mariotti, Marcella. Giapponese per il business. Guida al linguaggio nel mondo del lavoro. Milan: Hoepli, 2019. ISBN 978-8820385750
Additional materials will be uploaded online or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 4
Oyanagi, Noboru. Nyū Apurōchi Chūkyū Nihongo (kisohen) kaiteiban = New Approach. Japanese Intermediate Course. Tokyo: Nihongo Kenkyūsha, 2002. ISBN 9784931315150
· Materials
Koyama, Satoru. J Bridge to Intermediate Japanese. Tokyo: Bonjinsha, 2002. ISBN 9784893584977
Additional materials will be assigned during lessons.
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
For students with gaps below JLPT N3, the Shin Kanzen Master JLPT N3 series (kanji, vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening) is recommended.
Dictionaries
Although not mandatory, students are encouraged to own a dictionary (paper or electronic). Suggested references include:
· Japanese-Italian
o Il dizionario di giapponese Zanichelli, Marino & Wada (2019). ISBN 8808720640
o Dizionario Hoepli giapponese, Mastrangelo et al. (2013). ISBN 8820345935
o Dizionario Shōgakukan giapponese-italiano, Wada & Nishikawa (2008). ISBN 4095154527
· Kanji-Italian
o Guerra, Simone. Kanji. Grande dizionario giapponese-italiano dei caratteri. Zanichelli, 2015. ISBN 8808263347
· Japanese-English
o Watanabe, Toshirō et al. Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary (2003). ISBN 9784767420264
· Kanji-English
o Haig, John. The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Tuttle, 1997. ISBN 0804820376
· Monolingual Japanese
o Matsumura, Akira. Daijirin (4th ed., 2019). ISBN 4385139067
o Shinmura, Izuru. Kōjien (7th ed., 2018). ISBN 9784000801317
Oyanagi, Noboru. Nyū Apurōchi Chūkyū Nihongo (kisohen) kaiteiban = New Approach. Japanese Intermediate Course. Tokyo: Nihongo Kenkyūsha, 2002. ISBN 9784931315150
Additional materials prepared by the instructor will be uploaded online or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 2
Miura, Akira & Oka, Mayumi. Rapid Reading Japanese. Nihongo no Sokudoku. Tokyo: The Japan Times, 1998. ISBN 9784789009157
Additional materials will be uploaded online on Ariel or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 3
Mariotti, Marcella. Giapponese per il business. Guida al linguaggio nel mondo del lavoro. Milan: Hoepli, 2019. ISBN 978-8820385750
Additional materials will be uploaded online or distributed in class.
· Bibliography, Module 4
Oyanagi, Noboru. Nyū Apurōchi Chūkyū Nihongo (kisohen) kaiteiban = New Approach. Japanese Intermediate Course. Tokyo: Nihongo Kenkyūsha, 2002. ISBN 9784931315150
· Materials
Koyama, Satoru. J Bridge to Intermediate Japanese. Tokyo: Bonjinsha, 2002. ISBN 9784893584977
Additional materials will be assigned during lessons.
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
For students with gaps below JLPT N3, the Shin Kanzen Master JLPT N3 series (kanji, vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening) is recommended.
Dictionaries
Although not mandatory, students are encouraged to own a dictionary (paper or electronic). Suggested references include:
· Japanese-Italian
o Il dizionario di giapponese Zanichelli, Marino & Wada (2019). ISBN 8808720640
o Dizionario Hoepli giapponese, Mastrangelo et al. (2013). ISBN 8820345935
o Dizionario Shōgakukan giapponese-italiano, Wada & Nishikawa (2008). ISBN 4095154527
· Kanji-Italian
o Guerra, Simone. Kanji. Grande dizionario giapponese-italiano dei caratteri. Zanichelli, 2015. ISBN 8808263347
· Japanese-English
o Watanabe, Toshirō et al. Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary (2003). ISBN 9784767420264
· Kanji-English
o Haig, John. The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Tuttle, 1997. ISBN 0804820376
· Monolingual Japanese
o Matsumura, Akira. Daijirin (4th ed., 2019). ISBN 4385139067
o Shinmura, Izuru. Kōjien (7th ed., 2018). ISBN 9784000801317
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam Format
· One final exam (written + oral)
· Graded on a 30-point scale
Written Exam (~3 hours)
Includes:
· Kanji test (writing & reading, N2-level)
· Grammar & reading comprehension test (medium-difficulty texts)
· Listening comprehension
· Writing & translation (Module 3 content)
Oral Exam
· Conducted in Japanese with a native-speaking instructor
· Student presents a prepared talk on a course topic, answers questions about daily life, studies, Japanese culture, and textbook readings
· Includes dictation and a simulated job interview
Final Grade
The final grade (out of 30) is the average of written and oral exam scores. Students must achieve at least 18/30 in all written sections to qualify for the oral exam.
· One final exam (written + oral)
· Graded on a 30-point scale
Written Exam (~3 hours)
Includes:
· Kanji test (writing & reading, N2-level)
· Grammar & reading comprehension test (medium-difficulty texts)
· Listening comprehension
· Writing & translation (Module 3 content)
Oral Exam
· Conducted in Japanese with a native-speaking instructor
· Student presents a prepared talk on a course topic, answers questions about daily life, studies, Japanese culture, and textbook readings
· Includes dictation and a simulated job interview
Final Grade
The final grade (out of 30) is the average of written and oral exam scores. Students must achieve at least 18/30 in all written sections to qualify for the oral exam.
L-OR/22 - JAPANESE AND KOREAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor:
Maschio Paola
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)