Italian

Italian is a language derived from Latin, and its sister languages—French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian—also originate from the same Latin roots. Knowing Italian can reduce the effort required to learn these related languages to half or a third.

In addition, Italian is an important tool for learning about Western culture, as evidenced by the fact that all musical terms are Italian. In the field of art, Italy has produced the most artists in Western Europe, and it is also the country with the most World Heritage Sites. Since Italian words end in vowels, it is one of the easiest and most approachable languages for Japanese speakers to pronounce.

Additionally, a large number of English words originate from Italian, which also makes the language easier to learn. For example, the English word "piano" is a shortened form of the Italian "pianoforte." Similarly, "station" comes from "stazione", and "nation" from "nazione."

Students take Italian as a required second foreign language in their first year. The course consists of two grammar classes (twice a week) and one conversation class (once a week). Grammar is taught by a Japanese instructor, and conversation by an Italian instructor. Students in classes 16 through 19 will be enrolled in the required Italian course.

For example, a first-year student in class 16 would attend grammar classes during the second period on Monday and the third period on Wednesday, and the conversation class during the second period on Thursday. The grammar classes are taught by two instructors. Please note that this is a hypothetical example, so be sure to check your actual class schedule.

This is the required Italian course for second-year students. At Mita, the required course consists of one grammar class (once a week) and one conversation class (once a week), meaning one less grammar class. For example, you might take a conversation class during the third period on Monday and a grammar class during the third period on Friday.

Although required courses are only for students up to the second year, we have provided a study route map showing how you can continue to take courses as optional subject up to the fourth year.

To be taken in order: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Italian Expression Techniques 1 (I)/(II) Thursdays, 5th period, Formisano *Foreign Language Center Subject

Intermediate Italian IA/IIA Wednesdays, 2nd period, Resta

Intermediate Italian IA/IIA, Thursday, 2nd period, Rebagliati (For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students)

Advanced Italian IB/IIB, Monday, 4th period, Salis (For 3rd and 4th year students)

Courses should be taken in order: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Beginner Italian IA/IIA, Wednesday, 3rd period, Harada

Intermediate Italian (Reading) IB/IIB, Tuesday, 3rd period, Hasegawa (For 3rd and 4th year students)

Reading Italian Texts I/II, Thursday, 3rd period, Rebagliati (For 4th year students)

Techniques of Italian Expression 2 (I)/(II), Monday, 2nd period, Salis (For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students) *Foreign Language Center Subject

Seminar in Italian Literature, Tuesday, 2nd period, Hasegawa (For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students)

Italian Culture Studies, Thursday, 3rd period, Hasegawa (For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students) Fall semester only

For students of Faculty of Letters, Italian plays a significant role in the Western History and Aesthetics and Science of Arts majors. It is particularly essential for students studying Italian history (including ancient Rome) and Italian art. It is also recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy traveling in Italy. In our Italian classes, our motto is "learning with fun." Since the result is the same whether you learn with tears or with laughter, let's learn with a smile.

Q1: What are the requirements for promotion to the next grade and repeating the previous year?

A1: In the first year, you can be promoted to the Mita campus if you earn credits for at least two of the three required classes, which consist of two grammar classes and one conversation class. In the second year, at the Mita campus, failing even one required course—whether it is a language course or a major course—will result in repeating the previous year.

Q2: Why do some course titles have "I" and "II" at the end, even though they are taught by the same instructor on the same day and at the same time?

A2: "I" indicates that the course is offered in the spring semester, and "II" indicates that it is offered in the fall semester. All required Italian courses are "paired courses." Therefore, you must take both "I" and "II" together as a set. For this reason, grades are awarded for the full academic year at the end of the year.

Head of the Italian Language Program. A professor specializing in early modern Italian history who has a deep affection for Rome.

A humorous professor specializing in modern Italian literature who has also taught for NHK.

A near-native professor specializing in Dante who was educated in high school, university, and graduate school in Italy.

A professor who studied art history and now researches the Italian Renaissance from a literary perspective.

A professor who graduated from the Japanese Studies program at Ca' Foscari University of Venice and researches methods for teaching Italian as a foreign language in Japan.

A professor who has lived in Japan for thirty years. She is a graduate of the Japanese studies program at the University of Naples "L'Orientale" and has also studied at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Keio University.

A professor who is also a children's book author and is dedicated to enhancing students' creative skills.

A professor who has lived in Japan for twenty-five years. A graduate of the University of Turin, he has translated and published numerous works of Japanese literature into Italian.

A professor specializing in Communication and Media Culture Studies, educated at universities in Italy and Japan.