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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on the Cambridge Learning English series of activities and grammar focuses
Ricevimento: Students can contact the lecturer via email (laura.santini@unige.it) to make an appointment either online or in her room at the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures in piazza Santa Sabina 2. Please do NOT send messages via Teams.
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.
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:
The English B2 PC-based exam tests B2 language skills and abilities, i.e. Reading, Use of English, and Listening. The exercises are similar in typology to those offered for practice in Module 4 of the online course.
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.
