OVERVIEW

This module includes an introduction to English phonetics and phonology and a practical English language course at the B2.1 level.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to: - introduce students to the scientific study of the English language, in particular English phonetics and phonology; - develop students' analytical skills; - bring students to the B2.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the module students will be able to:

- describe English vowels, diphthongs, triphthongs, consonants,

- transcribe English words using the IPA (International Phonetics Alphabet),

- distinguish English strong and weak syllables and weak forms,

- place stress in simple and complex words,

- analyse the structure of suprasegmental units (syllables, feet, tonic structure),

- reproduce the form and functions of intonation.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of English at least at the B1 level.

TEACHING METHODS

The linguistics module is made up of weekly lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester), plus 5 hours of esercitazioni.

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language I 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 language module ("modulo pratico" or "esercitazioni" or "lettorato").

The linguistics module is an introduction to English phonetics and phonology. The practical module is a language course aiming to bring students to the B2.1 level (lower end of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level). More information about the practical component will be available on Prof. Rizzato’s webpage on the Lingue website and on the theoretical module Aulaweb from September.

The linguistics module topics include:

- describing English vowels, diphthongs, triphthongs, consonants,

- transcribing English words using the IPA (International Phonetics Alphabet),

- English strong and weak syllables and weak forms,

- stress in simple and complex words,

- structure of suprasegmental units (syllables, feet, tonic structure),

- forms and functions of intonation.

The programme for non-attending students is the same as the one for students who attend the course regularly.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Roach, Peter. 2009 (4th ed.). English Phonetics and Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (see syllabus for details) [textbook!]

Wells, J. C. 2006. English Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Section 1.6; Chapter 3; Sections 5.13, 5.13, 5.14; these are the sections the intonation part is based on]

Pronunciation dictionaries (you need either, not both!):

Jones, Daniel. 2011 (18th ed.). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (edited by Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wells, J. C. 2008 (3rd ed.). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow: Pearson Longman.

Additional (OBLIGATORY) material:

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

For the practical part (i.e. lettorato/esercitazioni):

Murphy, Raymond. 2012 (4th ed.). English Grammar in Use (with Answers). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Redman, Stuart. 2012 (3rd ed.). English Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Also useful is:

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical module:

Week of 29th September

Groups and timetable for the practical part will be found here as soon as they are available: https://lingue.unige.it/ilaria.rizzato%40unige.it

Class schedules will be found here as soon as they are available: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Frazionamento B is for students with last names from L to Z.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Each component ("modulo teorico" and "modulo pratico") is assessed separately.

The linguistics module ("modulo teorico") is assessed through a written paper and the first exam session is at the end of the first semester. There are two sittings in each of the three exam sessions. Students can choose only one sitting per session and can't repeat a failed exam in the same session.

The practical module is assessed through a written paper (grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing) and an oral test. There are two sittings in the summer and autumn sessions and one sitting in the winter session. When a session has two sittings, students can choose only one sitting per session and can't repeat a failed test in the same session.

The final mark is calculated as follows:

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

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The linguistics module is assessed through a written paper lasting 40 minutes. The exam paper is divided into two parts. To pass the whole exam, it is necessary to pass at least its first part. The first part will assess competence in: vowel and consonant description; phonemic transcription of word parts or full words; conversion of phonemic transcriptions into English spelling; weak and strong forms. Words for transcription are taken from a word list provided to students at the beginning of the module. The second part will assess competence in: phonetic transcription; syllable structure analysis in monosyllables; syllable division; division into feet; identification of the tonic structure of an utterance; open questions. There are two sittings in each of the three exam sessions.

The practical module is assessed through a written test (grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing) and an oral test. There are two sittings in the summer and autumn sessions and one sitting in the winter session. When a session has two sittings, students can choose only one sitting per session and cannot repeat a failed test in the same session.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The theoretical module in linguistics will be over in the first semester, while the "esercitazioni" module will last through the second semester. 

Attendance is NOT compulsory but highly recommended for both modules. There is no different program for students who do not attend the course. Learning is more efficient if participation to class is engaged more actively. 

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.