LANGUAGE EDUCATION (JAPAN)

The course is part of the integrative activities of the Master’s Degree programme 'Language and Civilization of Asia and Mediterranean Africa' and aims to provide students with knowledge related to the teaching of the Japanese language in the context of the Italian school system.

Knowledge and Understanding:
- acquire a comprehensive understanding of the Italian upper secondary school system;
- demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principal pedagogical and language education theories developed over the past century;
- gain familiarity with and the ability to critically assess the main methodologies and techniques in language teaching.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding:
- demonstrate the ability to analyze the educational context in which the teaching intervention is to be implemented;
- apply pedagogical theories, methodologies, and teaching techniques critically and appropriately in relation to the specific educational setting.
Judgement Skills:
- develop and express critical judgments on the topics covered in the course syllabus;
- recognize the nuances of different educational contexts in order to apply the most effective teaching strategies;
- critically and constructively analyze one’s own learning and teaching experience.

Communication Skills:
- demonstrate the ability to clearly and effectively express and rework course content and personal teaching proposals, both in written and oral form, in a concise and coherent manner.

Learning Skills:
- demonstrate the ability to critically integrate the study of various materials (lecture notes, slides, textbooks, literary texts, academic articles);
- develop the ability to read and synthesize materials in Italian, English, and Japanese;
- refine the ability to effectively use the course’s online platform as well as other digital tools and websites for the creation of study materials.

Japanese language proficiency at least at undergraduate level; good proficiency in Italian and English.
Although no prior knowledge of educational linguistics (language teaching methodology) is required, those who wish to gain a basic introduction to the discipline may consult the following series of video lectures:
https://www.itals.it/meal

The course is designed as an introduction to the teaching of the Japanese language in upper secondary schools. After providing a general overview of the main pedagogical theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism) and methodologies applied in language teaching (ALM, TPR, Suggestopedia, etc.), various case studies will be analyzed with the aim of promoting, on one hand, a proposal for the planning of Japanese language instruction in schools along with the related teaching interventions to be carried out in different classes, and on the other hand, reflection on one’s own learning experience during their academic journey (both secondary and university education). Specifically, the practical part of the course will focus on the following macro-areas:
- Curriculum design
- Teaching practice and material adaptation
- Assessment and evaluation
- Media and technologies
- Textbook analysis
Within the area of teaching practice, activities and reflective moments will be proposed focusing on literacy in the Japanese language.

- BALBONI P.E., "Le sfide di Babele", Torino, Utet Università, 2019
- Academic articles and essays uploaded on the Moodle platform
- Lecture slides uploaded on the Moodle platform

Assessment methods will be established with certainty after confirming the number of participants.
The exam for attending students will be structured as follows:
- Portfolio based on the activities carried out during the course (50%)
- Oral exam of approximately 30 minutes, consisting of a presentation of a teaching proposal on a topic assigned prior to the exam, plus a randomly selected question aimed at assessing the ability to spontaneously develop a lesson segment (50%)

For non-attending students, the portfolio will be replaced by a written assignment to be agreed upon during office hours with the instructor.

In the event of a high number of course participants, the oral exam will be replaced by a three-hour written test, requiring the development of a teaching proposal based on a topic provided by the instructor.

written and oral

A. Scores in the range of 18-21 will be attributed in the presence of:
Sufficient knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Limited ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Adequate communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
B. Scores in the range of 22-25 will be attributed in the presence of:
Decent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Decent ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Decent communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
C. Scores in the range of 26-30 will be attributed in the presence of:
Good or excellent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program;
Good or excellent ability to gather and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgments;
Fully appropriate communicative skills, especially concerning the use of specific language related to the description of textual and historical-literary phenomena;
D. Honors will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program, judgment skills, and excellent communicative abilities.

Interactive lectures, group work, and discussions.

Students are required to attend class with a device (laptop or tablet), with at least one device shared between every two students.
Non-attending students are required to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course.
Students must access the Moodle platform for this course.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development