LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to:

- introduce students to the scientific study of the English language, in particular English syntax;

- develop students’ analytical skills,

- bring students to the B2.2 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 syntax;

- develop students’ analytical skills,

- bring students to the B2.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

PREREQUISITES

55870   Lingua Inglese I or equivalent.

TEACHING METHODS

The linguistics module is made up of weekly lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester).  Teaching will be either face-to-face or online depending on how the pandemic evolves.  

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester + an online course). Teaching will be either face-to-face or online depending on how the pandemic evolves.  

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language II 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 module ("esercitazioni").

Each component ("esercitazioni" and "modulo teorico") is assessed separately. The practical module is assessed at the end of the second semester through a written test (grammar, vocabulary, listening, and writing) and an oral test. The linguistics module is assessed through a written test at the end of the first semester.

The linguistics module ("modulo teorico") is an introduction to English syntax. The practical language module aims to bring students to the B2.2 level (upper end of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level). More information about the practical component will be available on Prof. Broccias’s webpage on the Lingue website from September.

The final mark is calculated as follows:

35% (of the overall mark) is the written practical part (70% of which is the computer-based test assessing grammar, vocabulary, and listening 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 theory part.

The linguistics module aims to enable students

- to categorise words into word classes,

- to learn about the form and function of phrases,

- to identify tense, aspect, mood and modality,

- to describe finite and non-finite clauses and sentences,

- to identify the major types of marked sentences,

- to draw syntactic trees.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For the theory part:

Ballard, Kim. 2007 (2nd ed.). The Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan. [In particular: Chapter 2]

van Gelderen, Elly. 2010 (2nd ed.). An Introduction to the Grammar of English. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. [textbook]

Berk, Lynn. 1999. English Syntax: From Word to Discourse. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [In particular: Chapter 3 and pp. 237-249 ("Infinitive clauses")]

Additional (OBLIGATORY) material:

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


For the pratical part (i.e. esercitazioni):

McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O'Dell. 2012. English Vocabulary in Use: Upper-Intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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

Also useful is:

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