OVERVIEW

The English B1 course is aimed at revising grammar and lexical structures at B1 one level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)* which students acquire at Secondary School.

The English B1 course is an online one and can be accessed at the following URL https://clire.aulaweb.unige.it/

*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 online module is aimed at improving English listening and reading skills at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

B1 - Threshold or Intermediate 

• Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
• Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
• Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
• Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans

TEACHING METHODS

The online English B1 course is a self-directed learning tool – available at  https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/. 

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, please contact both the Department contact person, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance of the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University SLD Student Service.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The online English B1 course is available at https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/ and it is made of 4 modules. The first three are exercises, activities and grammar focuses aimed at revising B1 level skills and abilities that learners should have already learnt. Module 4 is split in 3 sections and each is a mock test allowing students to practice exam exercises and activities. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The online English B1 course is a self-directed learning - available at  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. Here is a piece of advice: read as much as you can, for example paper and/or online newspapers, magazines, books. Also, listen to what you read as you read it (enable English subtitles whenever available), this will also offer you practice with the listening skills. Be consistent and devote some time to any activity in English on an daily basis.
• As grammar reference, use 'English Grammar in Use' by Raymond Murphy (upper-intermediate edition, Cambridge University Press).  
• English B1 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on Learn English 
• English B1 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on BBC - Learning English 
• When looking for a dictionary try and use an English to English one. There is a very good online resource called  OneLook  that offers many different types of dictionaries. The one we suggest you use is the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, which always comes with phonemic script and audio.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SANDRA CHRISTINE VLASTA (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The online English B1 course – a self-directed learning tool – is available at any time during the academic year at the following URL:  https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/. 

Please contact your teacher to receive the enrollment key.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The English B1 test is a PC-based one and the structure is as follows:

• Question 1: Use of English/Reading comprehension - (a gapped text with 10 4-option questions) - 10 points.
  This is a text in which some sentences need completing. Each gap has a drop-down menu with four options to choose from. The grammar structures which are tested are the ones in the B1 syllabus and include tenses; progressive and participle aspect; vocabulary; prepositions; adverbs; adjectives; relative pronouns; active and passive voice; modal verbs; type 0, one and two conditionals; direct and indirect speech; verbs followed by 'to+ infinitive' and/or '–ing form'; prepositional and phrasal verbs, etc.
• From question 2 to question 6: signs or short texts (multiple-choice) - 5 points
  These five questions are all of the same type: you have to read a sign, a short message, a road sign, etc. and then you answer 1 question by choosing the correct option out of three.
• From question 7 to question 11: sentence transformations (add up to 3 words) - 5 points
  These five questions are all of the same type: you are given one sentence and are asked to rephrase it by completing a second sentence and trying to retain as much of the meaning of the first sentence as possible using no more than 3 words.
• From question 12 to question 16: sentence completion (multiple choice) - 5 points
  These five questions are all of the same type: you are given a sentence with a missing word, which you need to choose from a drop-down menu with four options.
• Question 17: reading comprehension (multiple choice) - 5 points
  You are asked to read a whole text, even more than once, with the aim of answering the five multiple choice questions at the end.
• Questions 18 - 19: 1 listening comprehension activity (multiple choice) - 2 points
  These two questions are of the same type: You are required to listen to two different recordings and answer 3 three-option questions each at the end.

Test duration: 30 minutes.

You can find a mock exam on the exam platform: https://cla.aulaweb.unige.it/

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The English B1 PC-based exam test B1 language skills and abilities. The exercises are similar in typologies to those offered for practice in Module 4 of the online course.

In order to pass the test, you need to have achieved at least 60% of the total score. 

​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

Please refer to the Aulaweb page of the course.