ENGLISH LANGUAGE

MODULE FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE LITERATURES AND CULTURE CURRICULUM

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.

Expected learning outcomes, with reference to the Dublin descriptors:

1. Knowledge and understanding of phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, and 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 of 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
• 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

Roach, P. (2009) English Phonetics and Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (3rd or 4th edition)

Lettorato:

You'll need to buy '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).

The exam is structured in two parts as follows:

1. Module (24 minutes):
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 text read aloud (20 minutes);
b. Paraphrase (c. 200 words) of a written text (20 minutes);
c. Free-standing writing activity (c. 250 words) (45 minutes).

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.

The final mark is the average of the module and lettorato marks.

***Module: Frontal.*** Class activities for the module will be made available online on the professor's Moodle platform.

Lettorato: Language practice with the whole cohort and with smaller groups focussing on oral and writing skills.

English

Please refer to your teacher’s home page and Moodle 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