BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental grammar principles and to enhance their communicative abilities in both spoken and written language. Students will be able to express opinions on familiar and close topics in simple language, discuss future plans, make polite requests, and provide advice. Additionally, the course will focus on enhancing the ability to understand and translate elementary/pre-intermediate texts in Japanese. By the end of the course, students will have achieved a language proficiency level between N5 and N4 of the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/levelsummary.html), approximately corresponding to level A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Course Prerequisites
The course builds upon the foundations established in Japanese Language I. Students are expected to have acquired grammar, vocabulary, and kanji covered in the Japanese Language I program (academic year 2024/2025): Minna no nihongo units 1-20.
International and Erasmus students are required to have a B1 level of proficiency in Italian and a level of Japanese corresponding to N5 of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), which is approximately equivalent to an A1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Teaching Methods
The course comprises three hours of classes per week, with the support of the textbook, PowerPoint teaching materials, and PDF grammar sheets. During the lectures, the grammar and structures of the Japanese language are explained in Italian. Various exercises are carried out in Japanese to apply the grammatical structures being explained. Additionally, special attention is given to the comprehension and translation of various N5-N4 level Japanese language texts into Italian.
Students can access language learning activities (AAL) provided as part of the weekly timetable for their proficiency level, taught by native Japanese speakers. The attendance to the Japanese language AAL is highly recommended, as they facilitate the consolidation of language skills essential for attaining the requisite competencies at the conclusion of the course. More information on language learning activities is available at this link: https://www.unibg.it/studiare/frequentare/apprendimento-linguistico/giapponese
Assessment Methods
The final examination for the course is written (Japanese to Italian translation, without the use of dictionary). In order to access the final examination, it is first necessary to pass a written and spoken Japanese language proficiency test. The final assessment will take into account the results of all tests.
Further information about the examination and assessment methods can be found on the course Moodle page.
Assessment Grid (out of 30 points):
- Excellent (30 cum laude): Comprehensive skills, applied with precision and autonomy. No errors.
- Very Good (30–27): Solid skills, correctly applied. Minor and non-recurring errors.
- Good (26–24): Adequate skills, with some inaccuracies. No serious or systematic errors.
- Sufficient (23–18): Basic skills, with evident errors but sufficient overall understanding.
- Insufficient (<18): Lacking skills, numerous errors that compromise the exam outcome.
Contents
1) New lexical and verbal forms, new grammatical structures corresponding to units 21-40 of Minna no nihongo I and Minna no nihongo II textbooks;
2) Introduction of new kanji corresponding to units 16-20 of Minna no nihongo kanji eigo ban I and units 21-40 Minna no nihongo kanji eigo ban II;
3) Translation exercises from Japanese into Italian.
The tutorials provided by the CLA are an integrating part of the course and attendance is warmly encouraged.
Online Resources
More information
Students are requested to register to the course's Moodle page. This will allow access to the course materials, including handouts and teaching materials, as well as a variety of exercises designed to enhance language and translation skills.
The list of exam texts for the official course is final and includes the titles that are essential for exam preparation, both for attending and non-attending students. However, non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course to set up the programme and any arrangements for ongoing assessment.
The list is available in this same syllabus under the section Online Resources – Leganto – Reading lists.
Information on language learning activities (AAL) for the Japanese language can be found at this link: https://www.unibg.it/studiare/frequentare/apprendimento-linguistico/giapponese
Should the course be taught in blended or online-only mode, changes may be made to the syllabus in order to make the course and examinations accessible in these modalities as well.