Alessandro MANTELLI

Alessandro Mantelli holds a PhD in Japanese Language Teaching from Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies, and works as an Adjunct Professor at the same institution. With a background in IT development and system administration, his work combines technology and pedagogy to enhance language learning outcomes. He holds a patent for a "System and Method for Combining Morphemes into Lexical Units and Related Transcription into Hiragana Syllables and Latin Characters of a Japanese Text." He also leads the EduKanji project, which explores the use of technology to improve Kanji learning and teaching. His current research focuses on ICT applications in language pedagogy, user experience design, gamification in e-learning, and the integration of VR, machine learning, natural language processing, and AI in language parsing and Kanji auto-assessment systems.

Current position

Adjunct professor and Post-doctoral Research Fellow (2024): "Studio di fattibilità per lo sviluppo di un software per la valutazione della scrittura su tablet dei caratteri cinesi" (Department of excellence Fund;  Scientific Supervisor, Marcella Mariotti), Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice.       

Previous prosition

Post-doctoral Research Fellow (2019-2022): "Learner-centered and teacher supportive online system for Japanese Language Learning & Teaching" (Department of excellence Fund;  Scientific Supervisor, Marcella Mariotti), Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

Research Interests

·        Japanese Language Education, E-Learning, Japanese Language and Computer Science.

·        Japanese language speech recognition.

·        Japanese language morphological and computational Analysis.

·        Instructional Design and User Experience Design.

·        Virtual Reality and Japanese Language education.

Research projects and collaborations 

·        2021 - present, Ca’ Foscari Jisho App, IT and Japanese Language Collaborative Training (Research group: Principal Investigator: Marcella Mariotti, Senior Post-Doc Researcher: Alessandro Mantelli, Junior Researcher: Gaia Varone, Junion Researcher Assistant: Chiara Alessandrini, IT Developer: Giuseppe Garassino), Ca' Foscari Univeristy of Venice.

·        2021-01, 2021-03 - Collaborative Creativity for Japanese Language Education: a Multidimensional Online Project in Response to COVID-19 (Research group: Principal Investigator: Marcella Mariotti, Post-doc Fellow: Alessandro Mantelli, Research Coordinator: Federica Tocci), Ca' Foscari Univeristy of Venice.

·        2020 -  EDUKANJI 2.0: Kanji Learning System and Lesson Manager  (Principal Investigator: Alessandro Mantelli). Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies. 

·        2019 – JaLea Business "A Hypermedia Web Application to learn Business Japanese" (Research group: Principal Investigator: Marcella Mariotti, System Developer: Alessandro Mantelli, Content Manager: Giuseppe Garassino), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies.

·        2016 – JaLea “Your JApanese LEArning system”: Japanese Learning and Grammar Dictionary Web Application (Research group: Principal Investigator: Marcella Mariotti, System Developer: Alessandro Mantelli, Content Manager: Giovanni Lapis). Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies.

·        2016-01,2016-03 – Hi-J “High-School Japanese Learning System” (Research group: Project Manager: Paolo Calvetti e Marcella Mariotti, Content manager: Giuseppe Giordano, System Developer: Alessandro Mantelli), Italian Association for Japanese Language Education AIDLG.

·        2016,2020 -  A4edu: Japanese-Italian dictionary, as evolution of the previous project ITADICT (2011), (Research group: Alessandro Mantelli, Marcella Mariotti), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Departmental project, Department of Asian and North African Studies. http://a4edu.unive.it

·        2012- 2013 - EDUKANJI: Kanji Learning System and Lesson Manager  (Research group: Alessandro Mantelli, Marcella Mariotti). Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies. Departmental Funds: Project for e-Learning development, 2012-3.

·        2011-2015 - ITADICT: Japanese-Italian online dictionary, (Research group: Marcella Mariotti, Alessandro Mantelli) Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Departmental project, Department of Asian and North African Studies.

Education and training

·        2020 - Ph.D. in Japanese Language Education, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Asian and North African Studies, (Tutor: Marcella Mariotti), Ph.D. thesis title:  Strategie di progettazione sostenibile di sistemi E-learning per lo studio del giapponese per italofoni. Il caso studio JaLea (Sustainable design strategies of E-learning systems for the study of Japanese for Italian speakers. The case study JaLea). 

Visiting researcher at:

·        Keio University (July-August 2016)

·        Institute of Japanese Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (July -August 2015);

·        Institute of Japanese Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (July -August  2012);

·        Tokyo Gakugei University (visiting research student, October 1996 - October 1997).

·        Tokyo Gakugei University (1996-97), annual Scholarship of the Japanese Government.

·        4 Year Cycle University Degree (M.A.) in Japanese Studies, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (1998).

Certifications

·        LPIC Linux System Administration (Level 2, 2006; Level 1, 2004).

·        Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 (2003).

Award, Fellowships and Grants

·        Ca' Foscari International Staff Exchange Grant (2012, 2015 ,2016).

·        Annual Scholarship of the Japanese Government, Tokyo Gakugei University (1996-97).

Patents

·        2021 Alessandro Mantelli, Marcella Mariotti. Sistema e metodo per l’unione di morfemi in unità lessicali e relativa trascrizione in sillabe hiragana e in caratteri latini di un testo giapponese, Method for creating lessical units from morphems and trascriptions in hiragana and latin characters of a Japanese Text Registration Code: 102019000002235.

Teaching Experience

·        2020-2022 Adjunct lecturer at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Dept. of Asian and North African Studies.

·              B.A.: Course in Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language 2.1 (LT005N)

·              B.A.: Course in Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language Mod.1 (LT003N-1)

·              B.A.: Course in Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language Mod.2 (LT003N-2)

·              M.A.: Course in Language and Civilisation of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Computer Science (Japan) (LM1730)

·              M.A.: Course in Language and Civilisation of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language 1.2 (LM012N, a.a. 2020-2021)

·        2017-2018: Teaching assistant, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, B.A.

·              B.A.: Course in Language, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language 2

·              M.A.: Course in Language and Civilisation of Asia and Mediterranean Africa: Japanese Language 1

·              M.A.: Course in Languages, Economics and Institutions of Asia and North Africa: Japanese Language 1

·        2011-2016: Adjunct lecturer (professore a contratto) at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Dept. of Asian and North African Studies: Computer Science (Japan) (LM1730).

Talks, conferences, presentations

·       26.10.2021 “Enhancing no-level Japanese communication through chatbots. Simulation and Implementation with Dialogflow” In Seminario NoLBrick: “No-Level Brick Seminar for Japanese language education”, Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

·        12.06.2018 “Developing Japanese E-learning for Italian speakers: E-learning R&D theory and its implementation”, in International PhD Program conference, Transcultural Studies on Eurasia and North Africa, Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

·        01.12.2017 JALEA (Japanese e-Learning System) Project Closing Ceremony and Future Perspectives, with Marcella Mariotti and Giovanni Lapis, Ca’ Foscari, University, of Venice.

·        14.09.2017 (cfp): “Analisi morfologica e Instructional design: quale rapporto”, XLI Congress of the Italian Association for Japanese Studies (AISTUGIA), University of Venice.

·        31.08.2017 (cfp): “JaLea – Highly maintainable Japanese Learning Web Application”, The next generation of language education: technology and pedagogy side by side, panel with Marcella Mariotti (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) and Takako Aikawa (MIT). 15th EAJS Section 10: Japanese Language Education, 21th AJE Symposium, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal.

·        21.07.2017 (cfp): “JaLea: an authentic and personal path to JApaneseLEArning”, with Marcella Mariotti and Giovanni Lapis (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice). The Third International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’17) , Faculty of Business Administration and Management, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.

·        22.03.2017: “Japanese language teaching and E-learning: a4edu, Edukanji, JaLea, Hi-j: projects details and their background” with Marcella Mariotti, Ca’ Foscari, University of Venice.

·        17-18.03.2017: “The Hi-J Project”, with Giuseppe Giordano (University of Naples "L'Orientale”) (Sakura Network) Japan Foundation, 2017 Seminar of Associazione Italiana per la Lingua Giapponese (AIDLG), Japanese cultural Institute in Rome, Italy.

·        08.12.2016: “ll giapponese in una app: progetto JaLea supported by Mitsubishi Corporation”, with Marcella Mariotti e Giovanni Lapis (Ca’ Foscari, University of Venice) Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Italy.

·        22-24.09.2016 (cfp): “Japanese Language Speech Recognition through digital devices”, XL Congress of the Italian Association for Japanese Studies (AISTUGIA), University of Turin, Italy.

·        18.12.2012: “Edukanji, a self-learning oriented tool for Kanji Learning and Lesson Manager”, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Venice.

·        17.04.2012: “The Itadict Project”, with Marcella Mariotti and Clemente Beghi, Ca’ Foscari, University of Venice.

Translations and Interpreter

·        Japanese-Italian Interpreter for Murakami Ryō, Mostra del Cinema di Venezia, Leone d’argento Musica (Venezia, 2016)

·        Japanese-Italian Tourist Interpreter, Self Employed (Venezia, 2007-2015)

·        Business Interpreter and Japanese-Italian Translator, Hobibox Japan (Tokyo, 2003-2006)

·        Japanese-Italian Translator and localizator, Squaresoft, Japan, Tokyo (Kingdoms Heart, 2002).

·        Japanese-Italian Translator, localizator and proofreader, Eidos, Londra (Tomb Raider, 1999).

·        Japanese-Italian Translator and localizator, Squaresoft Japan, Tokyo (Final Fantasy VIII, 1999).

·        Japanese-Italian Translator and localizator, Squaresoft USA Los Angeles (1999).

·        Japanese-Italian Translator and localizator, Berlitz, Dublin (1999).

Other Professional Experiences

·        System Developer

·        Web Application programmer (customers among others: Interlogica, Nethun, Nuovo Studio).

·        System Administration at Sanità Regione Veneto for Engineering s.p.a. (2009-2010).

·        System Administrator ENEL Energia for the project Enel Credit Management (2008-09).

·        System administrator at Venice Court (2008).

·        System administrator at TIM, Padova (2006-2007).

·        System administrator and programmer at Hobibox Japan, Tokyo (2003-06).

·        System administrator and programmer at Italian Cultural Institute, Tokyo (2005).

·        Technical Translator for Unicorn Japan, Tokyo (2000-06).

·        System administrator ad programmer at Guillemot Japan, Tokyo (2000-02).

·        System administrator and Help Desk, Ericsson, Venice (1998).

Memberships

·        Association of Japanese Language Teachers in Europe (AJE).

·        Italian association for Japanese Language Teaching (AIDLG).

·        Italian association for Japanese Studies (AISTUGIA).

Languages

          First Language: Italian

          Other Languages: Japanese, English                        

Computer Skills

·        OS: Unix/Linux, Windows 2000/2003 server.

·        Network: LAN, Firewall (Iptables) e VPN.

·        Network Services:

·        Web Server: Apache Apache-SSL, DNS and Mail Services.

·        Database: Mysql, Psql, Oracle, MongoDB.

·        Programming and Scripting:

·        HTML, Javascript, PHP, Bash;

·        Ajax Oriented Web Development, jQuery and responsive (bootstrap), VueJs, server-side: Apache PHP Mysql, NodeJS;

·        Java Fundamentals.

Pubblications

·        Mantelli A. (2022). «The Unsung Kingdom translation project. Designing an effective and sustainable classroom activity for a Japanese video game translation». In Annali Ca’ Foscari serie Orientale, Edizioni Ca’ Foscari, Venezia (In Peer Review)

·        Book: Mantelli A. (2021). E-learning sostenibile per la didattica del giapponese. Progettare per l’apprendimento autonomo. Vol.16. Edizioni Ca’ Foscari, Venezia

·        Mantelli A. (2021). «Learning Japanese through VR Technology. The case of Altspace VR». In Annali Ca’ Foscari serie Orientale, 57: 663-684. Edizioni Ca’ Foscari, Venezia

·        Mantelli A. (2021). «Development of a Kanji Reference Tool and its Moodle Integration EduKanji 2.0: Design, Development and Implementation». In EL.LE, 10,1: 117-140. Edizioni Ca’ Foscari, Venezia

·        Mantelli, A. (2020). «Analisi delle criticità nell’apprendimento dei kanji a livello avanzato e possibili strategie E-learning». In Sguardi sul Giappone (Associazione Italiana Studi Giapponesi, Aistugia), 71-89, Aracne Editrice, Roma.

·        Mantelli, A. (2020). PhD Thesis: Strategie di progettazione sostenibile di sistemi E-learning per lo studio del giapponese per italofoni. Il case study JaLea.

·       Mantelli, A. (2019). Review of "Kakawaru kotoba sanka shi taiwa suru kyōiku kenkyū e no izanai” edited by Satō Shinji and Saeki Yutaka(2017). Tokyo kotoba to toshi no tōgōteki rikai e, 20: 126–130.

·       Mantelli, A. (2018). «JALEA: a highly maintainable Japanese Learning Web Application». Titolo Panel: “The next generation of language education: technology and pedagogy side-by-side” di Mariotti, M., Mantelli, A., Aikawa, T., in . Japanese Language and Education in Europe, 22: 96-104. The Association of Japanese Language Teachers in Europe, e.V. (AJE).

·       Mantelli, A. (2018). «Riconoscimento fonetico della lingua giapponese attraverso gli strumenti digitali». In Orizzonti Giapponesi Ricerche, Idee, Prospettive (Associazione Italiana Studi Giapponesi, Aistugia), 275-294, Aracne Editrice, Roma.

·      Mariotti, M., Mantelli, A., & Lapis, G. (2017). «JALEA: an authentic and personal path to Japanese LEArning». Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Third International Conference on Higher Education Advances, 835-843.

·      Mariotti, M., & Mantelli, A. (2012). «ITADICT Project and Japanese Language Learning». Acta Linguistica Asiatica, 2(2),65-82.