Ateneo - UPO

The B2 level English course is designed to provide students with the tools to develop the solid, flexible and self-reliant language skills necessary to successfully interact in academic and professional contexts in English.
The course is divided into thematic modules and helps students comprehensively develop their comprehension, production, interaction, and mediation skills in a typical academic environment. The modular structure allows students to tackle the different aspects of academic communication step by step: from initial orientation to independent study and use of the language, to the ability to have oral discussions or giving presentations, the analysis of specialized texts, writing short academic texts, and to listening to audio (or audiovisual) texts followed by note-taking exercises. The last module is designed to prepare students for the final exam, with self-assessment exercises and review of the skills learned.
Each module is developed using digital resources, which integrate interactive exercises and materials for independent study.

Resources provided by the instructor via the DIR page

Texts and materials:

Professional English in Use Medicine
Eric H. Glendinning, Ron Howard
Cambridge
ISBN 9780521682015


Books for further practice (optional)

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY FOR THE REAL WORLD OXFORD ISBN 978 0 19 481030 2 Answer Key, Student Book + Answer Book + Ebook

The course aims to develop English language skills to CEFR level B2, with a particular focus on academic and professional use of the language.
At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and use the English language in everyday and/or academic contexts, interacting in oral and written contexts with lexical and syntactic accuracy, appropriateness and consistency. They will develop the ability to interpret written and oral texts, taking into consideration both formal and informal contexts.
In addition, students will have the possibility to use digital resources and multimedia materials to support language learning and communication. They will also be able to self-assess their progress and develop autonomous learning strategies, in line with the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and a competence-based approach to language teaching.

The English course is aimed at students who have achieved a level of English proficiency equivalent to at least level B1 of the CEFR. This requirement can be certified in three ways:
1) by the recognition of a language certificate (see CLUPO regulations link https://clupo.uniupo.it/lingua-inglese/riconoscimento-certificazioni ;
2) by passing the English Placement Test administered by CLUPO ;
3) by attending and passing the online realignment course on the Macmillan platform (link https://clupo.uniupo.it/lingua-inglese/english-placement-test).

The course is organised into thematic modules and comprises guided exercises, collaborative activities, and individual and group assignments, all designed to foster the progressive development of the language and communication skills required in academic and professional contexts.
The activities on offer encourage students’ active participation through discussions, presentations, analysis of authentic materials, practical exercises and reflection on their own learning, with a particular focus on developing autonomy in language learning.
The DIR platform forms an integral part of the teaching programme and provides a dedicated space for level B2, featuring materials for independent study, the consolidation of language skills, revision of topics covered during the course, individual in-depth study and preparation for the final exam. Students who are unable to attend classes regularly can use these resources to follow the course independently.
The course adopts inclusive teaching methods, designed to encourage the active participation of all students, whilst valuing the diversity of linguistic backgrounds, learning styles and educational experiences.

The DIR platform is a tool utilized for sharing teaching materials. Information regarding course programme, teaching materials and examination instructions can be provided by the professor both for attending and non-attending students.
https://www.dir.uniupo.it/course/view.php?id=22705
Students may take the same exam a maximum of three times in an academic year. For the regulations governing exams, please refer to Article 35 of the University’s Teaching Regulations.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-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 assessment aims to ascertain whether the learning outcomes set out for the course have been achieved, by evaluating the development of B2-level language and communication skills and the ability to apply them appropriately in academic and professional contexts.
The assessment consists of two tests: an ORAL PRODUCTION TEST and a final COMPUTER-BASED WRITTEN TEST in LANGUAGE USE AND COMPREHENSION. Both are marked out of 30: the oral production test accounts for 30% and the written test for 70% of the final mark, which is calculated as the weighted average of the two tests.
To sit the exam, students must have met the entry requirements (EPT) and must register for the examination session within the deadlines specified on ESSE3.
Production task
The production task consists of an oral presentation of an individual or pair assignment, agreed with the lecturer and developed during the course. The assignment involves preparing and presenting a paper in English on a topic relevant to the student’s subject area or to the topics covered during the course. The presentation assesses oral production, interaction, discourse organisation and language use in an academic context.
Students who have not completed the production task during the course will have a make-up date in each examination session, before taking the final test.
Final language use and comprehension test
The final test consists of a computer-based written test taken in person via the esami.DIR platform. It assesses the receptive and linguistic skills required at CEFR B2 level and comprises three sections: listening comprehension, reading comprehension and linguistic skills (Use of English: grammar and vocabulary). Tasks may include multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank exercises and cloze tests.
All students, whether attending classes or not, must take the final test during the official examination sessions.
Grading
For both tests, grading takes into account the overall level of achievement of the learning outcomes assessed through the respective test.
18–20 – Basic achievement: oral test: comprehensible and broadly coherent presentation, sufficient command of fundamental linguistic structures and limited communicative autonomy; written test: understanding of the main information and sufficient command of the grammatical and lexical structures required at B2 level.
21–23 – Satisfactory achievement: oral test: well-organised presentation, generally appropriate language and reasonably effective communication; written test: understanding of main and secondary information and generally correct use of B2 grammatical structures and vocabulary.
24–26 – Full achievement: oral test: clear and well-structured presentation, appropriate use of language, good command of subject-specific vocabulary and adequate interaction management; written test: good comprehension of spoken and written texts, including complex ones, and good command of linguistic structures and vocabulary.
27–29 – Advanced achievement: oral test: effective, well-argued and linguistically accurate presentation, confident use of language and appropriate adaptation of register to the academic context; written test: accurate comprehension of texts, including nuances of meaning, and precise and flexible use of B2 grammatical structures and vocabulary.
30–30 with distinction – Excellent achievement: oral test: particularly effective and rigorous presentation, full command of English, linguistic precision and independent presentation style; written test: complete and accurate comprehension, full command of grammatical structures and vocabulary and ability to interpret complex information correctly. Distinction is awarded for performances that stand out for completeness, accuracy and overall quality.
Students may take the same exam a maximum of three times in a calendar year. For the rules governing examinations, please refer to Article 35 of the University’s Teaching Regulations.

The B2 level English course is designed to provide students with the tools to develop the solid, flexible and independent language skills necessary to successfully interact academic and professional contexts in English.

Through an approach divided into thematic modules, the course focuses on the integrated development of reception, production, interaction and mediation skills, contextualised in typical academic scenarios.


Module 1:
Academic Orientation and Self-Assessment:
Introduction to the course including an initial self-assessment of skills and indications regarding course materials.


Module 2:
Formal Oral Communication and Presentations:
Appropriate use of specialist terminology; discussion of topics covered in class; with specific focus on pronunciation and intonation.

Module 3:
Formal and Academic Writing
Accurate use of specialised vocabulary; revision and correction of texts produced.

Module 4:
Active Listening:
Understanding conversations, discussions on specialised topics; note-taking on key content and detailed explanations; summarising information.

Module 5:
Preparation for the Final Exam and Self-Assessment:
Simulations of the final exam; self-assessment of the skills developed.

Competence and comprehension
At the end of the course, students will have a broad and in-depth knowledge of English in daily and and/or academic contexts, enabling them to understand and analyse specialised texts and oral interaction, demonstrating awareness of the linguistic structure in various contexts.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to independently apply their language skills in daily, academic and professional contexts. They will be able to have in-depth discussions and tackle specific communication tasks in their field of study. The use of digital resources and multimedia tools to support language learning and academic communication is expected.
Self-assessment
Students are able to formulate independent and informed judgements on language use and learning resources, demonstrating skills in monitoring and evaluating their own level of linguistic competence and the adopted strategies. They are able to adapt these strategies to the demands of academic learning contexts.
Communication skills
The students are able to effectively and responsibly participate in various contexts, adapting language, register and strategies to different interlocutors and communicative purposes. They demonstrate competence in negotiating meaning, managing feedback and actively participating in oral exchanges in different situations.
Learning skills
Students are able to use effective strategies and resources appropriate to their educational needs. They demonstrate the ability to reflect on their progress through formative self-assessment practices, in line with the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and a competence-based approach to teaching.