OVERVIEW

This module includes an introduction to English phonetics and phonology and a practical English language course at the B2.1 level.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to

- introduce students to the scientific study of the English language, in particular English phonetics and phonology;

- develop students' analytical skills;

- bring students to the B2.1 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 phonetics and phonology;

- develop students' analytical skills;

- bring students to the B2.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of English at least at the B1 level.

TEACHING METHODS

The linguistics module is made up of weekly lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester). It will be held online through Office Teams and Aulaweb.

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester). It will be held online through Office Teams and Aulaweb in the first semester. In the second semester, it will be held in class unless the developments of the Covid situation impose different arrangements.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language I 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 language module ("modulo pratico" or "esercitazioni" or "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, reading 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 is an introduction to English phonetics and phonology. The practical language module aims to bring students to the B2.1 level (lower end of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level). More information about the practical component will be available on Prof. Rizzato’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 a the computer-based test assessing grammar, vocabulary, listening and reading, 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 linguistics component.

The linguistics module aims to enable students to

- to learn to describe English vowels, diphthongs, triphthongs, consonants,

- to learn to transcribe English words using the IPA (International Phonetics Alphabet),

- to learn about English strong and weak syllables and weak forms,

- to learn about stress in simple and complex words,

- to learn about the structure of suprasegmental units (syllables, feet, tonic structure),

- to learn about the form and functions of intonation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Roach, Peter. 2009 (4th ed.). English Phonetics and Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (see syllabus for details) [textbook!]

Wells, J. C. 2006. English Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Section 1.6; Chapter 3; Sections 5.13, 5.13, 5.14; these are the sections the intonation part is based on]

Pronunciation dictionaries (you need either, not both):

Jones, Daniel. 2011 (18th ed.). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (edited by Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wells, J. C. 2008 (3rd ed.). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow: Pearson Longman.

Additional (OBLIGATORY) material:

Lecture slides and wordlist (available on Aulaweb by the beginning of the course)

For the practical part (i.e. lettorato/esercitazioni):

Murphy, Raymond. 2019 (5th ed.). English Grammar in Use (with Answers). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Redman, Stuart. 2012 (3rd ed.). English Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Also useful is:

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ILARIA RIZZATO (President)

MARCO BAGLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please see Prof. Rizzato's personal page on the Lingue Department website.

Class schedule

ENGLISH LANGUAGE I 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 test. 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 test in the same session.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The linguistics module is assessed through a written paper lasting 40 minutes. The exam paper is divided into two parts. To pass the whole exam, it is necessary to pass at least its first part. The first part includes: vowel and consonant description; phonemic transcription of word parts or full words; conversion of phonemic transcriptions into English spelling; weak and strong forms. Words for transcription are taken from a word list provided to students at the beginning of the module. The second parte includes: phonetic transcription; syllable structure analysis in monosyllables; syllable division; divisione into feet; identification of the tonic structure of an utterance; open questions. 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 test. 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 test in the same session.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.