ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION A - L

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: Francesca Maria VIGO

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Course, according to the Dublin descriptors, will demonstrate:

1) Knowledge and understanding

Students know the vocabulary and the basic structures of the English language at B1+ level (CEFR), focusing on elements of segmental phonetics and phonology, morphology, grammar, syntax and semantics. They are aware of the main problems relating to translation from English to Italian, and they are familiar with the organization of dictionaries, especially monolingual ones

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

Students are able to apply the linguistic and cultural knowledge acquired to analyze linguistically and metalinguistically short texts of various types and registers and to translate them. They demonstrate the ability to produce and understand short written and oral texts on familiar matters and to interact with native / non-native speakers on a variety of subjects within their field of interest. They know how to use the dictionary

3) Making judgements

Drawing on the acquired knowledge and skills students develop the ability to interpret the linguistic and cultural elements in a text to reflect autonomously on the functioning of the English language.

4) Communication skills

The level of linguistic competence students are expected to attain by the end of the course is B1+ under the Common European Framework for Languages. 

5) Learning skills

Students develop the learning skills they need to go on with their university carreer, such as the ability to use a dictionary, manage and organize work and time for university study, take notes during lessons for their own use at a later date

Course Structure

Although an “annual” subject, most of the teaching will take place in the first semester. The lessons will take the form of face-to-face lessons, but the active participation of students will be highly encouraged several asynchronous online tasks. The schedule for the lessons will be communicated both in class and on the DISUM web pages of the teachers and through the didactic platform, Studium. The professor is available to answer questions regarding the course during the reception.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not compulsory

Detailed Course Content

The course comprises three modules: A, B and C.

A and B modules introduce the basic structures of the language.

Module A focuses on Phonetics and Phonology, also diachronically, with the aim of providing the students with practical tools to improve their language learning and competence.

Module B, also diachronically, on morphological, grammatical, syntactical and semantic analysis with reference to translation practice too.

Module C aims to the acquisition of language analysis tools within a translation practice perspective. A contrastive textual analysis will be carried out to compare L1 and L2 language frameworks. Different text types will be used as well as different registers. The module focuses also on monolingual dictionary practice and use. At the end of the module students will be able to analyse a text linguistically and metalinguistically and will be able to translate it.

 

Language instruction – Anglophone culture

Students will attend the language instruction classes divided in groups according to their starting levels of linguistic competence. To this end an entry test will be administered, news of which will be published at the beginning of the academic year on the departmental website and on Studium, the university’s e-learning platform. The notional starting level of linguistic competence is B1 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. These language instruction and Anglophone culture classes with native speaker teachers are an important part of the course.

Textbook Information

Modules A and B

Texts:

- K. Ballard, The Frameworks of English, London, Bloomsbury Academic, 2022 (4th edition)

Introduction (pp. 3-9)

Word Classes (pp.13-48)

Word Formation (pp. 49-78)

Inflections (pp. 79-98)

Phrases (pp. 99-125)

Clauses (pp. 126-151)

Sentences (pp. 152-180)

Phonetics and Phonemes (pp. 225-252)

Segmental Phonology (pp. 253-277)

Variation in Present Day English (pp. 303-332)

Historical English (pp. 333-374)

 

Module C:

- P. Faini, Tradurre, Manuale teorico pratico, Roma, Carocci, 2020 (12th edition) (pp. 207)

- M. Morini, Tradurre l’inglese, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016

I.      Tradurre storie: la prosa narrativa (pp. 15-32)

II.    Tradurre immagini: la letteratura illustrata e il fumetto (pp. 33-47)

IV. Tradurre notizie, tradurre opinioni: la prosa giornalistica (pp.70-85)

 

Language lessons – British Culture

 

Course books and grammar books for the language lessons will be communicated immediately after the placement test according to each language level and the relative class.

 

Suggested dictionaries

Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners, London, Collins (ultima edizione), insieme a How to use the Dictionary, London, Collins ELT); Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (con cd-rom), London, Longman (ultima edizione); A.S. Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Oxford, Oxford University Press (ultima edizione); Cambridge Learner Advanced Dictionary (con cd-rom), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (ultima edizione); MacMillan English Dictionary (New edition), Oxford, MacMillan ultima edizione; Ragazzini, Dizionario Inglese–Italiano Italiano–Inglese, Torino, Zanichelli (ultima edizione).

 

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO