AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course prepares the student to reach a level of knowledge and understanding of English that is equivalent to the B2.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

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• understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions.
• interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
• produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

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 entirely in English

The slides and further material will be available on aulaweb

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Listening: listening activities to develop the ability to understand speech of varying lengths and accents using a wide range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.
• Reading: reading activities to develop the ability to understand different types of extracts taken from books, magazines and newspapers and to identify key points, details and text structure.
• "Use of English": exercises to develop grammar and lexical competence.
• Speaking: commmunicative activities to develop the degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party and actively participate in  discussions on familiar topics while giving  and supporting opinions.
• Writing: writing activities to develop the ability to write clear well-structured texts which analytically express points of view and  complex arguments (giving advantages and disadvantages of different options) in an appropriate style.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Grammar and Vocabulary for FIRST (and First for schools)" di Barbara Thomas, Louise Hashemi, Laura Mathews - Cambridge University Press 2015

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

JAMES LOGAN REYNOLDS (President)

MAURO GIOVANNINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From 4 October 2017 to 26 January 2018  (according to the timetable at www.ctc.unige.it) (first semester)

From 19 February 2017 to 15 June 2018 (according to the timetable at www.ctc.unige.it) (second semester)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam (No mark but just a Pass will be given )
English tested at B2.1 level

• Listening: (4 sections) comprehension test with multiple-choice questions, gapped sentences to complete and multiple matching  (40 minuti)
• Reading and Use of English: (7 sections, 52 questions) grammar and vocabulary exercises with multiple-choice questions, gapped sentences to complete and word & sentence transformations. Reading comprehension with multiple-choice questions and multiple matching. (1 ora 15 minuti) 
• Writing: an essay of 140-190 words on a wide range of arguments expressing an opinion on a topical issue, giving advantages and disadvantages of different options in an appropriate style. (45 minutes)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student will be tested on their ability to understand the key arguments of a complex text on concrete and abstract isssues, including technical discussions. The examination will assess whether the student has acquired the grammar and lexical competence at B2.1 level and whether they are able to apply them in producing a clear, detailed text on wide-ranging topical issues.

Exam schedule