OVERVIEW

The course prepares students to reach a knowledge and understanding of English equivalent to a B1 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) and comprehension of scientific texts.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of the course are the following:

• to reach a knowledge and understanding of English equivalent to a B1 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
• to be able to understand and translate a scientific text autonomously
• to be able to activate wide and specific lexical skills when reading scientific texts
• to be able to understand a clear, structured discourse
• to be able to discuss scientific topics appropriately
• to be able to write about personal experiences, hopes, ambitions and give a brief summary on an scientific topic

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons envisage plenaries, pairwork, groupwork and individual study

Audio-visual material will be used to provide comprehension exercises

The lessons will provide practice in in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills

The lessons will be held in English although Italian will be used to translate the texts

The slides and further material will be available on aulaweb

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course syllabus is as follows:

• Listening: listening comprehension activities to develop the understanding of discourse of varying lengths
• Reading: develop the ability to understand and translate different types of scientific texts
• Grammar: develop grammatical skills - revise tenses, comparatives, passive, modal verbs, hypothesis, prepositions, linkers
• Lexis: develop lexical skills - false friends, linkers, scientific terms
• Speaking: communicative activities to develop oral production and interaction
• Writing: activities to help give a short, clear and concise written summary   

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Chemistry of the Elements, A. Earnshaw, N. Greenwood - the book may be found in the Chemistry Department's library in both English and Italian
• Grammar for PET (Cambridge), Barbara Thomas

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

JAMES LOGAN REYNOLDS (President)

MAURO GIOVANNINI

NADIA PARODI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From 2 October 2017 to 14 January 2018 (according to the timetable at www.ctc.unige.it) (first semester)

Class schedule

ENGLISH

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students must pass a written exam. There is no final mark but only a Pass is awarded.

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
General English at B1 level
- Multiple-choice Gap Fill: 15 spaces to complete (10 marks)
- Writing: about 60/70 parole (5 marks)
Scientific English
- Translation: translation of a scientific text from English into Italian (15 marks)
(a dictionary is not permitted)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students are tested on their understanding of scientific texts. The exam assesses whether the students have acquired the grammatical and lexical skills at a B1 level that are relevant to the scientific field.

Exam schedule