Information updated until 30/06/2026 CODE 111373 ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 CREDITS 3 cfu anno 3 INGEGNERIA MECCANICA 8720 (L-9) - GENOVA LANGUAGE English TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester OVERVIEW Consolidate the English language skills corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The focus is on three main skills: Reading, Use of English e Listening. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Consolidate the level of knowledge of the English language corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The B2 level of English proficiency is expected upon completion of upper secondary school (high schools and higher education institutes). An individual who has reached this level can understand extended speech and lectures, and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. They can understand most TV news and current affairs programs, as well as the majority of films in standard English. They can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. They can understand contemporary literary prose. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. They can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining their views. They can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest. They can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. They can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to their interests. They can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. They can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences and emphasizing what is important. See the descriptors of the CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For further information on levels A1 and A2, or those above B1 (namely B2, C1, and C2), please check the Council of Europe website in English. PREREQUISITES All students who attended the school system in Italy learnt English as a compulsory subject for 13 years, i.e. for 5 years at primary school; for 3 years while at middle school; and for 5 more years at high-school (any secondary school including vocational ones). Therefore, all students graduating from Italian secondary schools are expected to reach the B2 level (CEFR) before enrolling at university. TEACHING METHODS Self-study B2 English Online Course available at https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it Students will be given access only when they have included 111373 ULTERIORI CONOSCENZE DI LINGUA INGLESE in their study plan. Completing the B2 English online course is mandatory in order to take the exam. Students can complete the online course independently, according to their own pace and needs. The course must be finished before you can register for an exam session. The B2 English online course is a "trainer course" that gives students the freedom to organize their study time based on their existing skills and knowledge. This self-study online course allows you to review previously learned morphosyntactic and lexical structures, and to practice with the types of exercises that will appear in the final exam. Tip: Try to organize your activities on a daily basis, even if you only dedicate 10 to 20 minutes a day, but preferably every day. Consistency is crucial when studying a foreign language, even if you are just reviewing structures or skills that are already familiar to you. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Given the educational path described in “Prerequisites” (13 years of schooling in Italy means having done English for 13 years), the “English B2” online course offers a self-paced activity aimed at a review of English B2 level morpho-syntactic (grammar and syntax) and lexical (vocabulary) structures. The course is aimed at offering targeted preparation to sit the English B2 test. The online English B2 course is available at https://clim.aulaweb.unige.it/ and it is made of three modules and two "Exam practice". The first three modules are exercises, activities and grammar focuses aimed at revising B2 level skills and abilities that learners should have already learnt at school. The two Exam practices are mock tests that allow students to familiarise with the exam activities and structures. The online English B2 course offers self-learning material, aimed at catching up with English B2 grammar and syntax structures and training to sit the PC-based English B2 test. It's a trainer course meant to offer you enough revision to be able to sit the English B2 test. The English B2 test structure is as follows: 1 cloze test – 15 gaps – one text with fifteen multiple-choice gaps, each one with 4 options; 10 marks in total; 4 grammar-based cloze sentences – 1 multiple-choice gap with 4 options to choose from; 1 mark per sentence: 4 marks in total; 4 vocabulary-based cloze sentences – 1 multiple-choice gap with 4 options to choose from; 1 mark per sentence: 4 marks in total; 3 sentence transformation tasks – 3 sentences to transform using a given word; 2.00 marks per sentence: 6.00 marks in total; 3 word formation tasks – 3 sentences with one gap each to fill in by adapting a given word to form a new one; 1.00 marks per sentence: 3.00 marks in total; 1 reading comprehension activity – one multiple choice question with 4 options; 1 mark per question: 1.00 mark in total; 2 listening tasks – 2 recordings each followed by one question with three options to choose from; 2.00 marks in total. Test time: 25 minutes. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY The online English B2 course is a self-paced learning course and is available at the following link 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 B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on LearnEnglish choose the "Upper-Intermediate English" level. English B2 vocabulary and grammar can also be practised on BBC - Learning English choose the "Upper-Intermediate English" level 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. LESSONS LESSONS START https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/8720/studenti-orario Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy FURTHER INFORMATION Special needs students and/or students with any learning issue should submit an application form to the Disability and SLD Support Services Department, that is, the Settore servizi di supporto alla disabilità e agli studenti con DSA - unless they did so when they pre-enrolled. The admin staff will offer information about support offered while attending university courses - for instance longer time in tests/exams. To have extra-time during the text, an email must be sent to the English lecturer and the person in charge of students with dyslexia in each department must be copied in. Please find further information at this link. Regarding the English exam, please note that since the B1 English exam is computer-based, it is already optimized to support compensatory strategies. For instance, the inclusion of multiple-choice questions inherently eliminates spelling and orthographic errors. Furthermore, choosing from pre-set options reduces the time needed for writing. The exam is also manually graded by the professor, which ensures greater attention to potentially partially acceptable answers. Please note that students who submit the required documentation and make a formal request 10 days before the exam may access an additional compensatory tool: extended time (30% extra). The request must be submitted using the specific form found at this link at least 10 days prior to the date of the chosen exam session, as indicated here.
