ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1

English 1 is divided by student curricula. Bencini is for the linguistics-philology-language teaching track; Newbold for politics and international relations; XXX for the literary and cultural studies track.

The course consists of a module held in the second semester and a year-round language practice course (“esercitazioni”) closely integrated with the module and co-ordinated by the Instructor. The general aim is to consolidate the metalinguistic competences needed to describe the English language and to achieve an operational competence of B2+ on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). The main focus is on providing the instruments to recognize and describe the phonemes of English, and the suprasegmental phenomena of English, using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

The expected learning outcomes are assessed in a structured exam at the end of the course.

Student learning outcomes (SLOs), with reference to the Dublin descriptors:
1. Knowledge and understanding of phonology, lexicon, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics; the ability to understand complex academic texts; awareness of linguistic registers; familiarity with the International Phonetic Alphabet and the suprasegmental mechanisms of English.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to understand complex and lengthy academic texts, oral presentations and lectures in English, appropriate to the context of the course of study. The metalinguistic awareness acquired in the module should facilitate language learning in an academic context.
3. Making judgments: interpreting and synthesizing complex texts in English in an efficient and personalized way.
4. Communication skills: Level B2+ of the CEFR, for receptive skills, written production, oral production and oral interaction. Students should be able to express themselves clearly, in a structured way, and with few errors.
5. Learning skills: understanding academic texts and the ability to paraphrase them; note-taking while listening and the ability to summarize texts after listening.

B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Module: The Sound System of English: The Sound Systems of English (British and American varieties of English)

Phonetics, phonology, and the IPA
Consonants
Vowels
Diphthongs and triphthongs
Stress
Syllables
Weak forms and tonic stress
Stress timing
Connected speech phenomena
Intonation
Variation in the sound system
Ongoing change
The Phonology of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)
Historical Aspects of the English Language
The Grammar–Phonology Interface

Lettorato:
- developing comprehension skills for oral and written texts;
- learning to synthesize and paraphrase academic texts;
- consolidation of overall level of B2 of the CEFR.

Module: The Sound System of English
Peter Roach, English Phonetics and Phonology, Cambridge University Press (3rd or 4th edition), 2009.


Lettorato:
English File Digital Gold 4th edition, Student’s Book and Workbook with online practice, C1. OUP, 2020. ISBN 9780194037891 (main textbook)
Q: Skills for Success 4 Reading and Writing SB + iQ Oxford Press ISBN 9780194903950 (supplementary academic textbook)
Oxford English Grammar Course Advanced with answers with complete interactive e-book, including Pronunciation for Grammar,
CEFR: C1, C2 ISBN 978-0-19-441493-7 (recommended grammar book)

Assessment methods

The exam is structured in two parts as follows:

1. Module
a. Transcription of individual words into the IPA;
b. Transcription of a brief text from the IPA into English
c. Short answers to theory questions (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, and pragmatics)


2 Integrated test of academic reading and writing at level B2+
a. Comprehension of an extract from a lecture;
b. Paraphrase (c. 200 words) of a written text;
c. Free standing writing activity (c. 250 words).


Oral skills will be tested during the course, and will be used to provide a bonus mark of 1 to 3 points which will be added to the final mark of the written exam (if passed).

The mark given for the module can be kept for the following exam session, within the same academic year.

Module
Frontal. Class activities for the module will be made available on line (Moodle)

Lettorato
E1: Language practice with the whole group.
E2: Language practice in small groups, focussing on oral and writing skills.

English

Please refer to your instructor’s home page for notices, office hours, and further information about the course.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

written and oral