OVERVIEW

The online English B2 course is aimed at revising and developing grammar and lexical structures at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)*. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in a foreign language depending on their level of proficiency.

The English B2 course is an online one. In order to access the course contact the lecturer Prof. Santini - email: laura.santini@unige.it

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Consolidate the knowledge of the English language at the B2 level as described in the CEFR of the European Council in the following skills: Reading, Use of English, and Listening.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

B2 – Upper intermediate

A speaker at a B2 level can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. He/she can produce a 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.

The main skills the English B2 online course supports are Reading and Listening comprehension, Use of English and only minimally writing skills, via sentence transformation tasks.

PREREQUISITES

All students who attended the school system in Italy learnt English as a compulsory subject for 13 years, i.e. for 5 years at primary school; for 3 years while at middle school; and for 5 more years at high-school (any secondary school including vocational ones). Therefore, all students graduating from Italian secondary schools are expected to reach the B2 level (CEFR) before enrolling at university.

The English B2 level proficiency should be a pre-requisite that all students can master. It may be the case that some students may need to revise or catch up with this level and this is supported via the online self-paced EN B2 course.

TEACHING METHODS

The online English B2 course offers self-learning material, aimed at catching up with English B2 grammar and syntax structures and training to sit the PC-based English B2 test. As a self-paced trainer, the online English B2 course is meant to be carried out with maximum freedom to fit in with each student's own needs, learning pace, timetable, and other classes.

However, it is strongly recommended that the online English B2 course is attended consistently, that is, students should work on it at least 20/30 minutes each day. Consistency will allow students to progress more efficiently in their revision and get ready to sit the English B2 test.

Please send an email to Prof. Santini to have access to the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The online English B2 course is available on request - please send an email to have access information.

The online English B2 course is made of 4 modules. The first three are exercises, activities and grammar focuses aimed at developing B2 level skills. Module 4 contains two mock tests allowing students to practice exam exercises and activities. The mock tests show the exact tasks students deal with in the exam. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The online English B2 course is a self-paced learning course and must be completed in order to access the English B2 exam.

Please find below, some further suggestions and useful free online resources.

• It is strongly recommended that students work on expanding their vocabulary and grammar in context, that is, they learn words and grammar structures inside a text. Here is a piece of advice: read as much as you can, for example online newspapers, magazines, books. Also, listen to what you read as you read it (enable English subtitles whenever available) or choose your own podcast to get inspired and learn via your own passions. A consistent activity in English, be it listening, watching, reading, speaking or writing will be more efficient if carried out on a daily basis. Look for something you are particularly interested in and watch, read, listen!
   
• As grammar reference, use 'English Grammar in Use' by Raymond Murphy (get the upper intermediate version). 
   
• English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on Learning English choose the "Upper intermediate English" or B2 level. 
   
• English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on BBC - Learning English choose the "Intermediate English" level

• English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on the Cambridge Learning English series of activities and grammar focuses

• When looking for a dictionary try and use an English to English one. There is a very good online resource called  OneLook  that offers many different types of dictionaries. The one I suggest you use is the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, which always comes with phonemic script and audio.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The online English B2 self-paced course is available at any time during the academic year.

Please send an email to Prof. Santini to receive information and sign up in the dedicated Aulaweb page (check the English language 107028 Aulaweb page) for further information or updates.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The English B2 exam is a PC-based test scheduled as other exam in the summer, autumn and winter exam session. The official test EN B2 assesses students's minimum intermediate skills (see CEFR for EN B2 skills).

The English B2 exam includes 7 different types of exercise as follows:

• Cloze test (1 cloze test with 15 mutliple-choice questions, each one with four options) 
• Grammar cloze sentences (4 multiple-choice sentences based on grammar, each one with four options)
• Vocabulary cloze sentences  (4 multiple-choice sentences based on vocabulary, each one with four options)
• Listening comprehension  (2 different listening tasks with one question each, you will have three options per question)
• Reading comprehension (1 reading task with one question, you will have four options per question)
• Sentence transformations (3 sentences to transform each with one gap)
• Word formation (3 sentences with one word to form from one offered in brackets)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The English B2 PC-based exam tests B2 language skills and abilities. The exercises are similar in typology to those offered for practice in Module 4 of the online course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find detailed information on the English B2 course and exam sessions on Aulaweb (Moodle), each year a new page for the ENGLISH LANGUAGE - 107028 is created and students need to sign up.

Special needs students and/or students with any learning issue should submit an application form to Settore servizi di supporto alla disabilità e agli studenti con DSA - unless they did so when they pre-enrolled. The admin staff will offer information about support offered while attending university courses - for instance longer time in tests/exams. To have extra-time during the text, an email must be sent to the English lecturer and the person in charge of students with dyslexia in each department must be copied in. Please find further information at this link.