ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Introduction and/or revision of English for Computer Science students (BSc in Computer Science).
The course aims at the consolidation and build-up of specific vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation through the exposure, reading and analysis of authentic texts.
The study and development of academic public speaking skills will be through presentation activities, discussions and debates related to the professional and academic profiles of EAP Computer Science students.
The lessons are focused on the detailed study and improvement of EAP reading and writing skills, level B2-CEFR.
By the use and application of different languages, the course consequently aims at developing transdisciplinary skills meant to promote the intercultural and international profile of IT/Computer Science students.

The course aims at reaching B2 level, that is the fourth level according to the CEFR. In everyday speech, this level might be called “confident”, as in “I am a confident English speaker”. The official level descriptor is “upper intermediate”. At this level, students can function independently in a variety of academic and professional environments in English, although with a limited range of nuance and precision. At this level the students can understand the main ideas of complex texts and standard spoken language, live or broadcast.
The course aims at:
A. developing specific skills in English for Computer Science, focusing on explaining scientific concepts to an audience and on detailed editing of multimedia presentations (abstracts, key words, etc.);
B. developing of presentation and discussion skills within professional and academic situations;
C. identifying and using correct register and style for academic writing;
D. developing transdisciplinary and intercultural skills.

In order to take the exam, students are required to possess a B1 level, which corresponds to the third level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level would be called “intermediate.” At this level, students are beyond the basics or elementary level (A2) but they are still not able to work or study exclusively in English.
If students are not sure about their level of English, they can contact CLA and follow a B1-level course or simply take a test.

The course is structured as follows:
A) the language classes examine methodologies and tools, and provide examples aiming at developing and/or enhancing strategies for designing and delivering professional oral (and written) presentations, and detailed understanding of academic/non-academic CS texts;
More specifically, the course aims at:
1. describing processes: how things work (language for describing sequences);
2. writing e presenting clear and complete definitions of specific language;
3. describing methods used in your work: language for describing method and purpose (IMRaD, academic writing, public speaking);
4. classifications: language for comparing and contrasting different types (interaction and participation in class debates);
5. describing tables/figures, describing trends, and speculating about data;
6. Making a presentation in English: the dos and don’ts of good presentations, structuring a presentation, using discourse markers and signposting language, and engaging an audience with
visual aids and body language;
7. Integrating symbols and acronyms into grammar;
8. Reading scientific English (strategies for deep reading).
9. develop or improve listening skills by using active listening strategies.

B) Language tutoring: the lessons with the language experts aim at reviewing and improving specialistic vocabulary and syntax; language tutoring also provides support for practicing orals skills before the exam.
The grammar revision includes the use of: relative clauses, indirect questions, participle clauses, position of adverbs and adjectives, principal tenses (active & passive) in technical writing (present tenses, past simple, present perfect), articles, quantifiers, countable/ uncountable nouns, abstract nouns, gerund vs infinitive, compound nouns, collocations, punctuation.
As for short texts and the organization of oral presentations: 'This’ cohesion, linkers and conjunctions, paragraphing, pronoun reference, lexical cohesion.

The language classes and tutoring are held in the II semester: two weekly lessons with Prof. Pagliarusco for the Course CT0414 (monografico) from February to March (calendar still being developed); one weekly lesson with the language experts for the language tutoring from February to May (calendar still being developed). Students are asked to check the assigned teacher's group according to their surname initials.

The teacher of the course and the linguistic experts will provide the texts and materials of the lessons, which will be available on their Moodle platforms. The course includes the reading of some excerpts from D. S. Malik's "C++ Programming From Problem Analysis to Program Design" (8th Edition, Ed. Cengage 2018); texts related to IcT and energy consumption will be addressed through the reading of short essays, academic and mainstream articles from journals such as CS4FN, or from Conference Proceedings.
The suggested vision of IT-related videos aims at deepening and improving the students' oral comprehension, and their own speaking abilities.

Articles, essays, excerpts from books and other educational material will be available on the MOODLE platform. An updated list of useful links and a detailed bibliography of the texts examined will also be provided.
Materials and exercises from the previous academic years will remain temporarily available.

It is fundamental to download and print Dr. Gebhardt's "English for ICT" handout available on her and on my Moodle page.

Other TEXTS will be recommended during the lessons and according to the needs of the students for individual study or revision needs.
The teachers will be always ready to suggest any other learning tool or strategy students may feel the need of.

The exam is in two parts: written and oral.
The written exam is 75-minutes long and it aims to assess if students possess at least level B1/B1+ of English. The quiz is on Moodle and it tests grammar, reading and listening skills, and use of English. l
Students must pass the written exam to be eligible to take the oral.
The oral exam consists in a multimedia presentation on an IT/CS-related topic chosen by the candidate. The multimedia presentation can be prepared by a single student or in pairs. The single presentation must be limited to 7 minutes, while the presentation in pairs must be limited to 12 minutes on the whole.
Written and oral exams must be taken during the same session.
If students fail the oral exam, they must sit for the written exam once again.
If students fails the exam, they can take it again during the following exam session.

Due to the limited number of lessons (24 hours, 12 lessons) and to the high number of students the didactic will be teacher-centered. However, the teacher invites the students to be active participants during class activities at any relevant moment.
Homework on Moodle space.
Language tutoring practice.
Group and/or pair work.
Tips and strategies for preparing and editing oral multimedia presentations.
Mock presentations.
Students' podcasts on Moodle space.
Developing Skimming, Scanning, Intensive and Extensive Readings Skills

Italian

In compliance with the specific course of study in Computer Science and following the global health emergency situation caused by Covid-19, the course aims to stimulate the production, responsibility and motivation of students (and teachers) about the use of online learning. For this reason, the language course for specific uses includes tasks aimed at improving the academic and professional skills of students, promoting an attitude capable of making autonomous decisions that facilitate constant learning. Thanks to the authenticity of the materials (realia) provided by the network and trusting in the autonomy promised by online learning, the lessons are intended to encourage students to learn while maintaining their own pace and self-control, responsibility and self-reflection on their individual study paths and goals. The strategy of the course focuses on the construction of a linguistic background that also derives from the personal selection of materials, activities and online resources to be kept for written and oral productions.
The exercises and activities assigned by the teachers on the platform must be understood as an opportunity to enhance and consolidate one's language skills, surely not as an obligation. However, some activities assigned by the teachers might be strongly supported.

written and oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development