Summer School in Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese - Kanbun
Programme
July 6th - August 7th, 2026
The Ca’ Foscari–Princeton Summer School in Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese - Kanbun is unique in its kind. It offers two tracks of comprehensive, grammar-focused instruction taught by the principal classical language professors from Ca' Foscari and Princeton.
The programme is designed especially for students who wish to develop their linguistic expertise for graduate study in any discipline of premodern China or Japan.
Tracks
Students choose between the two language tracks of Chinese and Japanese. In addition, there will be a lecture series by faculty from Ca’ Foscari and Princeton on a range of topics in premodern Chinese and Japanese culture. In both tracks students have access to dedicated teaching assistants who are available for additional tutoring and guidance.
Both tracks welcome beginning students in Classical Chinese or Japanese as well as those with various levels of experience. Those who took part in a previous edition of the Summer School are welcome to reapply.
The programme runs for 5 weeks for a total of 75 hours (15 ECTS). Classes are held five days a week.
The course provides the fundamentals of classical Chinese grammar through the reading and analysis of passages of pre-modern Chinese historical and literary texts.
- Course instructor: Attilio Andreini
- Maximum enrollment: 25 students
- Expected learning outcomes:
- Students understand the basic structures of the classical Chinese language.
- Students know the necessary tools for translation.
- Students are able to identify basic grammatical structures and, accordingly, to translate correctly.
- Students are able to identify the most appropriate tools to translate a particular text.
- Students are able to evaluate different translations for correctness.
The course provides the fundamentals of classical Japanese and kanbun grammar along with readings in the major genres of pre-modern Japanese historical and literary texts.
- Course instructor: Keiko Ono
- Maximum enrollment: 25 students
- Expected learning outcomes:
- Students understand the basic structures of classical Japanese/Kanbun.
- Students know the necessary tools for translation.
- Students are able to identify basic grammatical structures and, accordingly, to translate correctly.
- Students are able to identify the most appropriate tools to translate a particular text.
- Students are able to evaluate different translations for correctness.
- Students are able to acquire basic knowledge of hentai-gana (the initial step for kuzushi-ji, or cursive writing).
Lectures
Our Summer School lecture series brings together leading scholars to explore cutting-edge developments across the programme’s core themes. These sessions provide the essential context and inspiration for deeper learning throughout the programme.
- July 8th: Prof. Federico Marcon - The Nature of the Monster: Nature Knowledge and the Uncanny in Early Modern Japan
- July 10th: Prof. Martin Kern - Reading Classical Chinese Poetry: Vision, Voice, and Language in Du Fu
- July 14th: Prof. Paolo Calvetti - Does a ‘Classical Japanese’ exist? The evolution of the Japanese language during the Tokugawa and Meiji periods
- July 16th: Prof. Sebastian Eicher - War and Verse: Poetic Responses to the Opium War and its Aftermath from Shanghai’s Treaty Port Era
- July 21st: PhD candidate Lauren Gatewood - OYA OYA!: Visuality and Dialogue in Edo Period Popular Literature
- July 24th: PhD candidate Michele Pulini - Script and Sound in Warring States Excavated Manuscripts
- July 28th: Prof. Tiziana Lippiello - Converging Classical Civilizations: a European’s Vision through the lens of Confucian Moral Philosophy
- July 30th: Prof. Aldo Tollini - Kanbun, kundoku and sinographic writing in Japan. Strategies and expedients in the use of the Chinese writing system
- August 4th: Prof. Patrick Heinrich - Language Endangerment Occurs in Borderlands: Cases from Japan, China and Korea
- August 6th: Prof. Giulia Baccini - Introduction to Literary Chinese: Zhiguai (Accounts of anomalies) from the Early Medieval Period
Admission and fees
Admission requirements
Our admission criteria are designed to identify candidates who exemplify both academic distinction and a profound enthusiasm for the languages and cultures central to our Summer School's mission.
- Essential Prerequisite: the cornerstone of our admission process is a robust foundation in the chosen language of study:
- Track A: a minimum of two years of formal instruction in Modern Chinese
- Track B: a minimum of two years of formal instruction in Modern Japanese
- Evaluation components: our comprehensive assessment approach comprises two pivotal elements:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): we shall conduct a thorough review of each applicant's academic and professional trajectory, which shall account for up to 40% of the overall evaluation.
- Personal statement (maximum two pages): in this indispensable document, constituting 60% of the assessment, students should articulate their motivation, aspirations, and distinctive perspectives they would bring to the programme.
- English proficiency: applicants must have a good working knowledge of English (a solid B2-level is expected). Students are not required to produce certification but must be able to easily interact and engage with their peers and instructors.
Applications
Applications for both tracks of the Summer School must be submitted online.
Deadline: March 15, 2026, at 12:00 CET (Italian time).
Applications must include the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae in English
- Personal Statement (maximum two pages)
- Academic Transcript
Acceptance
Selected students must confirm their place after the communication of the results.
Should a student not confirm their place by April 15th, 2026, students on the waitlist will be contacted.
Payment period: from 15th to 25th April, 2026.
Certificates and transcripts
Following the communication of the final grades, certificates of attendance and academic transcripts will be issued in mid-September.
Tuition and housing
Tuition for the entire course:
- € 1.250 (including access to University facilities and services, course materials, and issue of final transcript).
Housing (optional, per person, for the entire duration of the course):
- € 700 for double-occupancy
- € 800 for mini apartment (double-occupancy with kitchen)
- € 1.000 for single-occupancy housing
All housing is provided in the ESU Residenza Universitaria Campus Mestre Via Torino 155 Mestre – Venezia.
A limited number of single rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Communal kitchen space, study room, laundry room, TV lounge, and meeting rooms are available to all students.
Accommodation is managed by ESU; however, students may explore other housing options independently.
All students must arrive no later than Sunday, 5th July 2026. The programme starts in the morning of Monday, 6th July.
Team
Programme directors
Rector at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Professor at Princeton University
Instructors
Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Professor at Princeton University
Administrators
Testimonials
A glimpse into the 2025 Summer School
Student feedback from earlier years (collected via anonymous surveys)
“The instructor had a great pedagogical style. I think he was effective at introducing students to reading Classical Chinese. His laid-back style fit the nature of the summer school.”
"I especially appreciated the very structured approach to the language, so that it's really possible to learn how it works. I think that helped a lot to really understand things and not just learn them by heart. […] What I also really liked is that Prof. Andreini showed us a few times a bit how research in classical Chinese works, which online tools can be used, how to use a commentary etc. So that we could really see the whole process that is behind.”
“Professor created a welcoming atmosphere that encourages questioning and feedback and it seemed like students were able to express concerns and interests at any point. I think this classroom atmosphere really extended outside the classroom too and helped bring students together.”
“I appreciated the variety of the topics the lecturers dealt with, which were not limited to the lessons' content. I also appreciated that all the lecturers were available to answer the questions we asked them after the lectio magistralis.”
“It far exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t agree more with Prof. Kern’s remark that this is the best program. I can't believe that in just five weeks we were able to learn so much and make such progress.”
“Ono-sensei is a perfect teacher! Her lessons were designed in a perfectly interconnected way, with the teaching pace progressing step by step. She gave us timely feedback and guidance every day, and I honestly don’t know what words could fully express my admiration for her.”
“Ono sensei is one of the best language instructors I have ever had. The course was systematically designed, with each part building upon the previous one in a well-structured and interconnected way. Beyond language itself, I also gained many unexpected insights and perspectives, which made the experience especially valuable.”
“I didn't know what to expect and it was a wonderful surprise.”
“At first, seeing only three hours per day on the schedule, I felt it would have been underwhelming. However, it proved to be challenging enough to be hyper-effective and live up to - if not exceed - standards.”
“Things were taught in a well-paced manner. Being exposed to Classical Chinese everyday helped to consolidate the new knowledge.” (2024)
“It is more intense that I had imagined, but I also learnt so much more than I expected.”
“My classmates were great. Of course, I spoke differently with different people, but our passion for Japan and its language silently united us. Classes were intense, but manageable. Not having studied previously Classical Japanese or Kanbun, each day was something new, and I went to class everyday excited to learn. I could even manage to wake up happily at 7:00 every day, something I haven't done since my high school ended four years ago (and that I usually hate doing).”
“The class is great; this is the summer school that I have learnt the most from. We had very intense practice in Classical Japanese, and I can see my own improvement over the time we are learning. It also introduces me a lot of new knowledge about East Asian studies in general. I really like it.”
“Loved every minute.”
“Prof. Andreini was an outstanding teacher, engaging us at every chance and explaining the course material in great detail. It was a pleasure taking his class!!”
“Ono sensei is so responsible and supportive, definitely the best language learning experience that I have ever had.”
“I enjoyed the grammar-intensive approach. The homework was very helpful in drilling the day's materials.”
“Instructor was excellent. Very knowledgeable, great lecturer. Very organised and approachable.”
“Ono sensei was amazing. I enjoyed every lesson and her wonderful, interactive approach to teaching. She made every lesson captivating even when speaking of very abstract or technical topics. Moreover, she would continuously add information of every kind about what we were studying, going in-depth with explanations, challenging us to ask ourselves "when", "how", and most of all "why".”
“I really like the way Prof. Andreini treats students and creates a warm atmosphere. This brought the group together as well.”
“It was really a great beautifully organised experience, and the instructor did a great job teaching us. […] Homework was really good practice.”
“The instructor has been excellent at teaching and communicating with students.”
“Prof. Keiko Ono is fantastic. She is one of the best instructors that I have ever had. She taught the class with a pace that I can follow easily, and she uses different methods to emphasis on the important grammatical terms, which helps me remember a lot of things without effort, which I highly appreciate. She also corrected all our homework every day, marking out all the possible mistakes, it helps a lot with our learning, and I admire her dedication to us.”