ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This is a fundamental module in a second level degree course which has as its aim to develop high level competences in the field of European languages, literatures and cultures. Within this context it sets out to provide students with the instruments they need to achieve mastery of the language, in oral production and interaction, as well as in writing skills, through a detailed and variegated study of multiple aspects of the English language today, including in an interdisciplinary perspective, and which will shed light on the development of English as the world's most spoken lingua franca and most used language of translation.

The professor’s module, in cooperation with the annual ‘esercitazioni’ aims to help students advance from level C1 toward level C2 (as per CEFR), in a wide-ranging context of research into aspects of English today. Particular attention will be paid to the development of oral production and interaction, in a field of research of interest to the student.
The expected outcomes of the course, referring to the Dublin Descriptors (2nd level degree courses) are as follows:
1 Knowledge and understanding of the ongoing evolution of English as the world’s lingua franca and main language of translation.
2 Knowledge and understanding of the underlying course theme, ‘Aspects of English Today’.
3 Making informed judgements in the carrying out of personal research, in choosing between sources of information, in the development of a critical but constructive attitude towards presentations made by peers, and in the ability to evaluate one’s own performances in the language learning process.
4 Communication skills ranging from C1 to C2 on the CEFR, for both oral production and oral interaction, and academic writing.
5 The module has a dual learning focus; it aims at helping the student undertake autonomous research, through individual initiative and also by working in pairs and in groups, while at the same time offering the opportunity to consolidate the refined language skills which are needed to be able to describe and interpret the complex socio-cultural and linguistic realities of an increasingly globalized world.

Level C1 of the Common European Framework

Title of the module: “Aspects of English today”
The module will focus on the acquisition of skills closely connected to the CEFR, especially spoken production (presentations) and spoken interaction (active participation to class debates). The proposed macro thematic area includes the role of global varieties of English, contemporary literature in English, attitudes toward English lingua franca, and the role of translation to and from English. The module will offer students the chance to make multi-media presentations on topics chosen by the students but which they think will be of interest to the group, and to debate these issues in class. Paired presentations are also encouraged, when students share similar research interests. The broad background area ('Aspects of English today') can include the role of English today, varieties of English, and attitudes to English. Students will be required to produce short written introductions to their presentations.
The ‘esercitazioni’ (CEL) will focus on consolidating students' writing skills (academic writing).

Teaching materials and discussion topics will be communicated at the beginning of the course. Furthermore, students will have to present their own bibliographies in connection with their presentation.

Students who attend lessons can opt for the continuous assessment programme. Students who do not attend (or who do not opt for the continuous assessment program), will be assessed after the course at exam dates. In line with the learning objectives, both assessments involve making a presentation on an agreed topic relevant to the course theme and replying to questions from the class (continuous assessment) or the teacher (exam format). The student must also produce a written introduction to the presentation and a written overview of three peers' presentations.
As for the ‘esercitazioni’, a continuous assessment option is available for attending students: this will consist in two writing tasks: a critical essay on a literary work by a contemporary author (1.5 hours), and a translation of a text into English, or (for international students) a free-standing essay (1.5 hours). Students who choose not to be evaluated through continuous assessment will do the writing tasks in the dates of the exam.

Student led seminars. All presentations will be put online on the course Moodle, available to all students (whether attending or not), through a password which will be provided by the professor.

English

Teaching language: English

written and oral