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

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 level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

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).

The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 10 weeks in the first semester).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

English Language I is divided into two parts: a linguistics module ("modulo teorico") and a practical language module ("esercitazioni").

Each component ("modulo pratico" and "modulo teorico") is assessed separately. The practical module is assessed through a written test and an oral test. The linguistics module is assessed through a written test.

The linguistics module is an introduction to English phonetics and phonology.

The linguistics module aims to enable students to

- to learn to describe English vowels, diphthongs, triphthongs, consonants,

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

- to learn about English strong and weak syllables and weak forms,

- to learn about stress in simple and complex words,

- to learn about the structure of suprasegmental units (syllables, feet, tonic structure),

- to learn about the form and functions of intonation,

- to learn the basics of acoustic phonetics.

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).

The syllabus for theory module attenders and non-attenders is the same.

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start on the week of the 28th September 2026.

The teaching schedule will be posted as soon as it becomes available. 

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.

The practical module is assessed through a written paper and an oral test.

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; conversion of phonemic transcriptions into "written" English; 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; divisione into feet; identification of the tonic structure of an utterance; open questions.

The practical module is assessed through a written test (grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing) and an oral test.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is NOT compulsory but highly recommended for both modules. The syllabus is the same for both attenders and non-attenders. Learning is more efficient if students participate actively in class. 

Special needs students should contact Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it).