ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION 2

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 B2 (CEFR), focusing on elements of phonetics, morphology, grammar, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. They are aware of the main problems relating to the main cohesive and coherent textual elements and some specific text types.

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. 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 B2 under the Common European Framework for Languages.

5.      learning skills

Students develop the learning skills they need to go on with their university career, 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.

Blended learning (in presence and/or online), if necessary. 

Linguistic-communicative competence equal to level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(C.E.F.R), with reference to both oral and written skills.

Introduction to the different levels of linguistic analysis and textual typology

The course is divided into two Modules, A and B:

Module A: concerns some topics linked to British culture and civilization, a part of which will be contained in a MOOC course.

Module B: concerns the linguistic analysis from a pragmatic point of view and the use of English in some specific fields;

In both cases it is fundamental that the students actively participate by using some worksheets and texts provided by the teacher throughout the course.

An intermediate test about British culture is scheduled.

At the end of the course, the students will sit for an oral test and will hand in a text with a commentary (a pragmatical semantical, and linguistical analysis).

Modulo A :

J. Oakland, British Civilization : An introduction, Abingdon, Routledge, 2020

Chapter 3: The people

Chapter 5: Politics and government

Chapter 11: The media

Chapter 12: Leisure, sports and the arts

MOOC:

https://www.federica.eu/

Geography of the UK

Children's Literature: Ethnicity, Fantasy, Gothic

Contemporary British Cinema

Contemporary Television

Contemporary Pop Music

Modulo B:

J. Culpeper et al., English Language. Description, Variation and Context, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan, 2018.

Part 1 English Structures

Text linguistics

Pragmatics

Part 3 English Speech: Regional and social variation

Regional variation in English accents and dialects

Language and Social Class

World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca

Part 4 English Writing: Style, Genre and Practice

Speech, writing and discourse type

Language in Newspapers

Language in Advertisements

New Technologies: Literacies in Cyberspace

Part 5 English: Style, Communication and Interaction

Language and Politics

G. Yule, The Study of Language, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2020 (o edizioni precedenti)

Chapter 9: Semantics

Chapter 10: Pragmatics

Chapter 11: Discourse analysis

The reference grammar books and the texts to be used for the language instruction classes will be communicated immediately after the entrance test on the basis of level of competence and assigned group.

Recommended dictionaries:

Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners, London: Collins last edition (with How to use the Dictionary, Collins ELT, London); Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (with cd-rom), London, Longaman, last edition; A.S. Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Oxford, Oxforde University Press, last edition; Cambridge Learner Advanced Dictionary (with cd-rom), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, last edition; MacMillan English Dictionary, New Edition, Oxford, MacMillan, last edition; Ragazzini, Dizionario Inglese-Italiano, Italiano-Inglese, Zanichelli, last edition.

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.

The ongoing test will focus on the part of British Culture and Civilization will be proposed practical activities and theoretical questions related to the reference text in the program and an additional activity to be carried out online, on the MOOC platform. The evaluation will be expressed in 30/30.

Written test. The written test is divided into listening comprehension, reading comprehension, grammar, and use of English exercises aimed at achieving level B2 skills.

Oral exam. The oral exam is divided into

a) an oral exam aimed at assessing the production and interaction in English of competence B2;

b) an interview that evaluates the understanding, acquisition and re-elaboration of the course contents.

The assessment of the exam will take into account the mastery of the contents and skills acquired, linguistic accuracy and lexical properties, as well as the argumentative ability demonstrated by the candidate.

Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Below is a list of possible topics on which to reflect and discuss in the oral exam. Of course, what is listed below is intended as a model application and not as an exhaustive list of what I will be asked for:

1) How is the UK population composed?

2) What are the main British political parties and where do they originate from?

3) What are the main British media?

4) What is meant by the term COOL BRITANNIA?

5) What are the linguistic and pragmatic characteristics of an advertising text?

6) What are the main elements of lexical cohesion?

7) Identify the four maxims that make up the Cooperative Principle.

8) What are the linguistic characteristics of a tabloid?

9) What is meant by Cyber ​​Literacies?

10) What are the main British dialectical varieties?

There will also be, at the opening of the interview, a short conversation in English on topics that are familiar, routine or not, or related to the students' field of interest (experiences, travels, current events, etc.). The level required to pass the exam is at least B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages