OVERVIEW

It is a 32-hour English and language teaching methodology course, carried out in a laboratory modality, with the students divided into 2 level groups.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In continuity with the laboratories of the previous years, this course is meant to foster the learning of upper-intermediate (B2) level English. Classroom practice aims at enhancing all the main language skills, from listening to pronunciation, to reading and writing, to vocabulary and grammar. However, special emphasis will be put on oral production activities. Students will also be provided with notions of linguistics and language teaching methodology, within a content and language integration framework, in order to offer them cross-cutting tools to teach English in primary and nursery school.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a prosecution of the preceding years, laboratory 4 (group B) is aimed at fostering the acquisition of an upper-intermediate (B2) level of English. Lessons and exercises carried out in the classroom are intended to enhance all main language skills, from listening to speaking to reading to writing to pronunciation to vocabulary and grammar, but particular attention will be devoted to the oral production of the language. Group A students will be provided with notions of language teaching methodology with particular emphasis on the oral skills (speaking, listening, pronunciation), in a content and language integration modality, in order to give them the theoretical tools to face English language teaching in primary and nursery school. 

By the end of the course, the students should also:

1. Be able to understand how to apply the acquired knowledge and solve problems in relation to English language teaching in Primary and Nursery School.
2. Be able to employ the acquired knowledge both at the conceptual and the operational level, developing self-evaluation skills and flexibility; 
3. Develop adequate learning skills which will enable them to go on autonomously exploring the relevant topics and keep alive the acquired knowledge of the language, achieving in time the use of new structures and vocabulary items. 

PREREQUISITES

Attendance of laboratory 3 must have been approved before the students are admitted to laboratory 4.

TEACHING METHODS

Laboratory methodology, in which the students will have to actively contribute to the development of the lessons. Slides, video and audio materials will be used, as well as any other teaching tools that may be needed for exemplification and practice.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The participants will be divided into two level groups, each of which will attend 32 hours of lesson. Group A, made up of the students who have already passed the B2 level Prova di Idoneità, will attend Prof. Bosisio's language teaching methodology course, integrating contents and language learning. Starting from an overview of language acquisition and language teaching methodologies, this will deal with the oral skills (listening, speaking, pronunciation) and their learning/ teaching, with particular reference to the primary and nursery school learning environment. Group B, made up of the students who have not yet passed the Prova di Idoneità, will attend Prof. Rosenberg's B2 level course, in preparation for the selfsame Prova di Idoneità (B2). The main aim is that of enhancing the students' language skills, so as to provide them with a solid and complete disciplinary base on which to build their teaching practice. All skills, from listening to writing, to reading to speaking will be taken into consideration, without neglecting transversal knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

The students will have to show active participation in the laboratory in order to obtain final approval. For this reason, continuous assessment of their learning process is provided for (see below). All leassons will be held in English.
   

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For group B :  
Annette Capel and Wendy Sharp, Objective First. Cambridge: CUP. Fourth Edition.   
Students must have their own copy of the Student's Book from lesson 1.

Further materials will be provided during the course and posted on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons will take place in term 2 (from February 2025).

Class schedule

LABORATORY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Although this is classified as a laboratory, attendance alone will not be enough to obtain approval. Active participation of the single students will be established by means of continuous assessment, so the latter are expected to follow the lessons actively, to comment, answer quetions, and carry out all tasks.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students' progress in all skills, written and oral, will be ascertained through observation and the carrying out of interactive activities. The students will be expected to achieve a level of knowledge and use of the English language as close as possible to B2 of the European Framework, in all skills. Group B students will also have to be able to understand and discuss language teaching methodology subjects in English. For those willing, such progress may be further assessed by means of a brief final test .

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is strictly compulsory for at least 80% of the lessons. For each laboratory, attendance of the first class is obligatory. Furthermore, students cannot skip more than 2 consecutive lessons, in absence of serious motivations. 

Students with DSA, disability or other special educational needs are recommended to get in touch with the disability board contact person within the School or the Department, to agree on teaching and exam methods which, according to the course’s objectives, take into account individual learning modalities and provide suitable compensatory tools.