Ateneo - UPO

Main topics:

Meaning and meaning relations. Text cohesion and coherence: the construction of complex meaning/s in context, from text to discourse.

Introduction to the English Language, main morpho-syntactic structures to encode and decode messages, and medium-length popularizing texts.

For this particular section it is worth reading the detailed English Linguistics A Syllabus, and English Language 2 practical classes Syllabus (Gr A/General English o Gr B/Business English).

Handbooks will introduce students to theoretical and metalinguistic approaches to the language; Readings will highlight the popularizing strategies used to disseminate linguistic notions and concepts; and Student’s Books will be used for practical activities.

Language features, textual analysis and discourse strategies will be highlighted to distinguish different text types and genres.

Metalinguistic awareness and language skills.

English Language II aims at studying lexis in context, and focusing on text analysis (text linguistics). The function of lexical units in the construction of discourse are central for English Language II.

English Language II also aims to develop lexical, grammatical, morpho-syntactic, and discursive skills (both encoding and decoding) of contemporary English, in relation to everyday topics and events, or more specialized usages (ESP).

The course general contents and specific topics, language skills and activities, the end-of-course examination, as well as the assessment criteria applied, refer to B2-B2+ level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).

English Language I (practical classes)

Lectures (English Linguistics A) and practical classes (English Language 2 year ‘esercitazioni’).

The course will be held from September to June.

English Language II assessment process includes a written tasks and an oral discussion (English Linguistics), and a written test (English Language 2 year practical classes).

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse
e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The written assignment will be an individual task (English Linguistics); whereas the written test for English Language 2 year practical classes will be on site.

The oral exam is a discussion on English Linguistics course contents, and on the individual task/assignment.

On the occasion of the English Linguistics A exam, oral interaction skills, language competence, and fluency (discourse structure, pronunciation, lexis, morphosyntax, and linguistic appropriateness) will be also assessed.

English Linguistics A oral exam and language assessment are worth 60%, English Language practical classes written test is worth 40%. Students will pass their exam if they get 18/30 in both these didactic units. The final grade is calculated on a weighted assessment basis.

With reference to the 'Intended learning objectives' (see below), the following grades correspond to different skills: 18-22/30-sufficient, 23-25/30-satisfying, 26-28/30 good, 29-30 lode-very good.

Much information on the assessment process are included in English Linguistics A and English Language 2 year practical classes specific syllabi.

Lectures, characterised by their metalinguistic approach/perspective, aim to provide the fundamental tools to investigate lexis and to analyse medium-length texts, in order to highlight their essential and distinctive components.

Practical activities are based on exercises and tasks provided by the textbooks, and by further materials analysed during the year.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

The discussion on textual cohesion and coherence (decoding and encoding strategies) will be extremely useful to English language learners in order to understand and produce complex messages, at the content and structure levels, from text to discourse.
Students will be able to read and understand texts of medium complexity in contemporary English, of general contents and/or on current and/or professional issues.

APPLIED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS.

Students will be able to analyse words starting from their constituents, they will also be able to analyse syntactic structures, and build up well-formed sentences.

They will also translate sentences and relate the fundamental structures of English and Italian. They will also be able to summarise, comment, and write short/medium length paragraphs, and to have a conversation on current issues.

Linguistic knowledge and language understanding will be used at a practical level, and applied to the many disciplinary research and professional contexts.