ENGLISH LANGUAGE

English 1 is divided by student curricula. Bencini is for the linguistics-philology-language teaching track (Class 1); politics and international relations (Class 2); Riggs for the literary and cultural studies track.

The course consists of year-long language practice labs (“esercitazioni”) starting in the first semester, and a 30 hour module held by Professor Bencini in the second semester. The aim of the course is to develop students' theoretical, analytical and practical competences in the scientific study of English. The module is a linguistic introduction to English, with a focus on the structures of the spoken language and its varieties. We will describe the phonetic and phonological structures of English and its varieties, discuss the interaction between linguistic phonology and other levels of language such as morphology, syntax and pragmatics. We will address historical change, sociolinguistic variation and discuss psycholinguistic aspects connected to speech perception (perceiving phonemes), language comprehension (ambiguity in the signal, prosody and parsing), and the acquisition of English as an L1 and as an L2. With respect to language use, students will consolidate a B2+ on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). In addition, students will develop skills in academic English. Specifically, they will learn to follow academic lectures in English, take notes and produce different types of written academic texts (summaries, paraphrases, argumentative essays).

The expected learning outcomes are assessed with a structured exam, divided into four parts, 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.

Modulo (in lingua inglese): The Sound Systems of English (British and American varieties of English)

Acoustic and articulatory Phonetics, phonology, and the IPA: Consonants; Vowels; Diphthongs and triphthongs,
Prosodic structures of English: Syllables; syllabification, sonority, stress, pitch, intonation
Connected speech phenomena
Phonology morphology interface
Phonology syntax interface
Phonology pragmatics interface
Variation in the sound system
Ongoing change
Historical Aspects of the English Language
Psycholinguistic aspects (phonemic boundaries and categorical perception, context effects, acquisition of English as an L1, L2)

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

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


Lettorato:
'Perspectives' Advanced level by Amanda Jeffries, Lewis Lansford and Daniel Barber, published by National Geographic Learning, Cengage. You'll need both the Student's book (ISBN: 978-1-337-27719-8) and the Workbook (ISBN: 978-1-337-62713-9/ 978-1-337-29873-5).

You will also need a grammar book, which you will used repeatedly during the three years of your degree course: 'MyGrammarLab Advanced C1/C2' with key, by Mark Foley and Diane Hall, published by Pearson. (ISBN: 9781408299111).

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, 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