CODE 121663 ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 CREDITS 3 cfu anno 1 INFORMATICA 11896 (L-31 R) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR ANGL-01/C LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester OVERVIEW The English B2 course is aimed at learning and revising grammar and lexical structures at B2 one level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)*. The English B2 course is based on an online course available at the following URL: https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/. Students will be enrolled in this course at the beginning of the term (September 2026). Furthermore, lectures (36 hours) are offered in term one (September-December 2026) to support the completion of the English Language B2 online course. Lectures will be focused on the morphosyntactic and lexical structures at B2 level and on the final exam. *The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in a foreign language. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The purpose of the teaching unit is for students to develop reading and listening skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with particular reference to students in the preparatory curriculum, in order to meet the admission requirement for the Master’s Degree in Computer Science. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES B2 - VANTAGE OR UPPER-INTERMEDIATE Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce 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. For further information on the various levels from A1, A2, B1, as well as higher ones, such as C1 and C2, please check the Council of Europe guide at the following link Council of Europe. PREREQUISITES B1 level is highly recommended. All newly enrolled students are strongly recommended to sit a level B1 English Assessment Test (AT). Studentes who do not pass the English B1 test, will be invited to attend an online B1 English course within "Progetto Inglese". Those students who have the exam "121663 - LINGUA INGLESE B2" in their career and do not pass B1 English Assessment Test (AT), are strongly recommended to take part in the Progetto inglese before attending the LINGUA INGLESE B2 course that is more demanding. All students who attended the school system in Italy had English as a compulsory subject for 13 years, i.e. 5 years at primary school, 3 years at middle school and at high-school for 5 more years. Therefore, all students graduating from Italian secondary schools are expected to reach the B2 level before enrolling at university. Students who hold an English language certificate at B2 level or higher among those accepted by Unige can use it to have the exam and credits recorded. Certificates can be uploaded at the following link. TEACHING METHODS The online English B2 course is made of a self-directed learning course and is available at the following link https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/ and 36-hour lectures to offer support towards the completion of the English Language B2 online course. Students will be enrolled in the course at the beginning of the term (September 2026). Completion of the English Language B2 online course is compulsory for admission to the examination. 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. The online course is a trainer course meant to offer students enough revision to be able to sit the English B2 test. As a self-learning activity, the online English B2 course is meant to be carried out with maximum freedom to fit in with each student's own needs and learning pace. Tips and recommendations. It is strongly recommended that the online English B2 course is attended consistently, that is, devoting at least 15/20 minutes to it each day when students start working on it. Consistency will allow students to progress more efficiently in their revision and get ready to sit the English B2 test. Students who hold valid certificates with reference to Special Needs, Learning Difficulties (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the lecturer and the school’s disability academic staff at the start of the course who, whilst respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning styles. The contact details for the university’s disability academic staff are available at the following link: https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita. SYLLABUS/CONTENT The online English B2 course is available at https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/ and it is made of three modules and some "Exam practice". The first three modules are exercises, activities and grammar focuses aimed at revising B2 level skills and abilities that learners should have already learnt at school. The Exam practices are mock tests that allow students to familiarise with the exam activities and structures. 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. It's a trainer course meant to offer you enough revision to be able to sit the English B2 test. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY The online English B2 course is a self-paced learning course that covers grammar and lexical structures and is available at the following link https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/. 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 at a B2 level. Tips and recommendations: read as much as you can, for example paper and/or online newspapers, magazines, books etc. Also, listen to what you read as you read it (enable English subtitles whenever available), this will also offer you practice with your listening skills. Listen to podcast. Watch video, TV series and movies in English enabling English subtitles. Be consistent and devote some time to any activity in English on an daily basis at least 15/20 minutes per day. As grammar reference, use 'English Grammar in Use' by Raymond Murphy (upper-intermediate edition, Cambridge University Press). English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on LearnEnglish choose the "Upper-Intermediate English" level. English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on BBC - Learning English choose the "Upper-Intermediate English" level When looking for a dictionary try and use an English to English one. There is a very good online resource called OneLook that will list many different types of dictionaries when you look up one word. It is strongly suggested that student should use the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, which is usually offering clear defintions and always comes with phonemic script and audio. Another very accessible dictionaries is Collins dictionary. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD LAURA SANTINI Ricevimento: Students can talk to Prof. L. Santini at the end of class. Alternatively, students can contact Prof. L. Santini via email laura.santini@unige.it to schedule an appointment either online or on site at her office located at the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures in piazza Santa Sabina 2. Please do NOT send messages via Teams. Exam Board LAURA SANTINI (President) LESSONS LESSONS START The timetable for this course is available on the Portale EasyAcademy. Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The online English B2 course is available at https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/ and it is made of three modules and some "Exam practice": mock tests that allow students to familiarise with the exam activities and structures. The first three modules are exercises, activities and grammar focuses aimed at revising B2 level skills and abilities that learners should have already learnt at school as in the Italian school system, students attend 13 years of English classes and are expected to graduate from high school with a B2 level of English. 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. It's a trainer course meant to offer you enough revision to be able to sit the English B2 test. The English B2 test is a PC-based one and the structure* is as follows: 1 cloze test – 15 gaps – one text with fifteen multiple-choice gaps, each one with 4 options; 10 marks in total; 4 grammar-based cloze sentences – 1 multiple-choice gap with 4 options to choose from; 1 mark per sentence = 4 marks in total; 4 vocabulary-based cloze sentences – 1 multiple-choice gap with 4 options to choose from; 1 mark per sentence = 4 marks in total; 3 sentence transformation tasks – 3 sentences to transform using a given word; 2.00 marks per sentence = 6.00 marks in total; 3 word formation tasks – 3 sentences with one gap each to fill in by adapting a given word to form a new one; 1.00 marks per sentence = 3.00 marks in total; 1 reading comprehension activity – one multiple choice question with 4 options; 1 mark per question = 1.00 mark in total; 2 listening tasks – 2 recordings each followed by one question with three options to choose from; 2.00 marks in total. Test duration: 25 minutes. *The test structure outlined above and the time allotted are subject to modification. ASSESSMENT METHODS The English B2 PC-based exam tests B2 language skills and abilities. The exercises are similar to those offered for practice in the last part of the online course. The pass mark is 60% correct answers, that is, 18 points out of 30. There may be an oral exam after the test if required by the lecturer. If necessary, students will be informed promptly or via email. FURTHER INFORMATION Find detailed information on the English B1 Assessment Test at the following page. Find detailed information on the English B2 course and exam sessions on Aulaweb (Moodle). Look for the course "121663 - ENGLISH B2". 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. In order to have extra-time during the exam, fill in the form at the following link at least 7 days prior to the exam date. The request will be automatically forwarded by the system to the lecturer/teacher in charge of the course and to the faculty staff in charge of students with disabilities and/or special needs in their School/Department. The student will receive a copy of their request. For further information click here.
