OVERVIEW

This course is designed to enhance students’ proficiency in English within the context of computer engineering. It aims to strengthen students’ language skills in all four key areas—writing, speaking, listening, and reading—with a strong emphasis on interaction and practical communication. Using a communicative approach, the course incorporates authentic materials to enhance students’ ability to engage in professional and academic settings. Through interactive activities, students will refine their ability to express concepts clearly, collaborate effectively, and produce high-quality written and spoken communication suitable for their field.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of this teaching unit are to impart a mastery of technical terminology, foster an understanding of technical documentation, cultivate oral and written communication skills in professional contexts. Students will be encouraged to enhance intercultural skills to facilitate collaboration in global teams. In summary, the aim is to equip students with the linguistic and technical proficiency needed for success in the computer engineering industry, facilitating communication and collaboration in complex international settings.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Engage in technical discussions with confidence, participating in debates, problem-solving activities, and project-based communication.
• Develop effective listening skills to comprehend and analyze technical talks, conference presentations, and professional discussions.
• Improve academic and technical writing skills, including structuring research papers and composing professional emails.
• Critically analyze and synthesize information from articles.
• Apply accurate grammar, tone, and style in both oral and written communication tailored to professional and academic settings.
• Develop collaborative communication skills for teamwork, meetings, and interdisciplinary projects.
• Prepare for professional interactions, such as interviews, networking events, and conferences, by mastering formal and informal communication techniques.

PREREQUISITES

An Upper-Intermediate level of English proficiency (Level B2 in the CEFR) is required for the course. 

TEACHING METHODS

This course follows a communicative approach, emphasizing active student participation and interaction to develop practical language skills. It incorporates authentic materials to ensure that students engage with real-world language use. Through discussions, speaking and writing activities, and collaborative learning, students will strengthen their ability to communicate effectively in academic and professional settings.

Students who hold valid certificates relating to Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the lecturer and the school’s disability liaison officer at the start of the course to agree on any teaching arrangements which, whilst respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning styles. 

The contact details for the university’s disability liaison officer are available at the following link: https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All course materials will be made available on Aulaweb.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&_lang=it&include=corso

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) may request accommodations for exams at least 7 days prior to the exam date by filling out the “accommodation request form” (available via online services at https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti# no-back), which will be automatically forwarded by the system to the instructor in charge of the course and to the faculty liaison for students with disabilities and SLDs in their School/Department. 

The student will receive a copy of their request.