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. 

AIMS AND 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. 

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 as well as an online course). 

Lectures will be online through Teams and Aulaweb for the first semester of 2020/2021. 

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"). In the first semester, lectures will be online through Teams and Aulaweb. 

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 test (grammar, vocabulary, listening, and writing) and an oral test. 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' 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

> Theory module

• 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")]
• Additional compulsory material: Lecture slides will be available on Aulaweb by the beginning of the course

> Pratical module (i.e. lettorato/esercitazioni):

• McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O'Dell. 2001. English Vocabulary in Use: Upper-Intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Murphy, Raymond. 2012 (4th ed.). English Grammar in Use (with Answers). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [for revision]

Also useful is:

• Swan, Michael. 2016 (4th ed.). Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO BAGLI (President)

CRISTIANO BROCCIAS

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please see the lecturer's page on unige.it

Class schedule

ENGLISH LANGUAGE II A

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.

English Language II can be attended by all 2nd year students enrolled on the LCM (Lingue e Culture Moderne) course with surnames from A to K and by Erasmus students.