OVERVIEW

This module includes an introduction to English syntax and a practical English language course at the B2.2 level.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to:

- introduce students to the scientific study of the English language, in particular English syntax;

- develop students’ analytical skills,

- bring students to the B2.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

This module aims to:

- introduce students to the scientific study of the English language, in particular English syntax;

- develop students’ analytical skills,

- bring students to the B2.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

TEACHING METHODS

The linguistics module is made up of weekly lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester).

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester + an online course).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language II is divided into two parts: a one-semester linguistics module ("modulo teorico"), which is held in the first semester and is described in more detail below, and a two-semester practical module ("modulo pratico" or "esercitazioni" o "lettorato").

Each component ("modulo pratico" and "modulo teorico") is assessed separately. The practical module is assessed at the end of the second semester through a written exam paper (grammar, vocabulary, listening, and writing) and an oral exam. The linguistics module is assessed through a written exam paper at the end of the first semester.

The linguistics module ("modulo teorico") is an introduction to English syntax. The practical language module aims to bring students to the B2.2 level (upper end of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level). More information about the practical component will be available on Prof. Broccias’s webpage on the Lingue website (see the "2016-17 Rules & Regulations, Lettorati list, etc." folder in the "documenti" folder) from September.

The final mark is calculated as follows:

35% (of the overall mark) is the written practical part (70% of which is the computer-based test assessing grammar, vocabulary, and listening and 30% of which is the writing task),

15% (of the overall mark) is the oral practical part,

50% (of the overall mark) is the theory part.

The linguistics module aims to enable students to

- learn to categorise words into word classes,

- learn about the form and function of phrases,

- learn to identify tense, aspect, mood and modality,

- learn to describe finite and non-finite clauses and sentences,

- learn to identify the major types of marked sentences.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ballard, Kim. 2007 (2nd ed.). The Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan. [In particular: Chapter 2]

van Gelderen, Elly. 2010 (2nd ed.). An Introduction to the Grammar of English. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. [From cover to cover: main textbook!]

Berk, Lynn. 1999. English Syntax: From Word to Discourse. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [In particular: Chapter 3 and pp. 237-249 ("Infinitive clauses")]

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CRISTIANO BROCCIAS (President)

JOHN DOUTHWAITE

ELISABETTA ZURRU

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes start on the 10th October.

Timetable:

Mondays, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Aula Magna, Polo Didattico)

Tuesdays, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Aula 17, Albergo dei Poveri)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The linguistics module is assessed through a written paper. There are two sittings in each of the three exam sessions. Students can choose only one sitting per session and can't repeat a failed exam in the same session.

The practical module is assessed through a written paper and an oral exam. There are two sittings in the Summer and Autumn sessions and one sitting in the Winter session. When a session has two sittings, students can choose only one sitting per session and can't repeat a failed exam in the same session.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The linguistics module is assessed through a written exam paper (the alloted time is 50 minutes). The exam paper is divided into two parts. The first part requires students to draw the syntactic tree of a short sentence. In the second part, students are required to pick out a few phrases from a short text on the basis of their function; to identify the form and function of phrases in a few sentences; to categorize a few verb groups in terms of tense, aspect, mood and modality; to classify “marked” sentences and provide their “unmarked” equivalents.

The practical part is assessed through a written exam paper (grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing) and an oral exam.    

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is not obligatory BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.