Professor
Alexander MichelottiLearning objectives
Knowledge and skills to be achieved: Students will acquire the reading and listening skills needed to live and work independently and confidently in an English-speaking environment or take courses taught in English. In addition, students will acquire the reading and listening skills needed to pass international English language certification exams at B2 level. The language needed to discuss topics related to communication sciences will also be taught.
Course content
Students will receive guided practice in analyzing, interpreting, and completing a variety of written texts, including: reviews of movies, TV shows, and books; articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic publications; e-mails and letters; and promotional and informational materials. Listening skills will be strengthened through practice with a variety of audio materials, such as: radio news and interviews; lectures and presentations; conversations, discussions, and everyday anecdotes; and responding to telephone messages and public announcements. Reading and listening activities will be supplemented by exercises in grammar and vocabulary.
Prerequisites
English language I
Bibliography
Required reading: Capel, Annette, and Wendy Sharp. Objective First Student's Book, 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014. Additional required materials will be provided by the teacher. Recommended reading: Students are strongly advised to acquire one of the following authentic exam collections: Cambridge English. B2 First 4 with answers, with audio. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020. Cambridge English, First 3 with answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. May, Peter. First Trainer, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014. May, Peter. First Trainer 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. Students who need in-depth practice with grammar and vocabulary, as well as a ready reference guide, will find the following text useful: Prodromou, Luke. Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge First, with Key, 2nd ed. London: Pearson Longman, 2012. The following text provides further practice of the exam tasks, supplemented by additional relevant exercises on grammar and vocabulary: Capel, Annette, and Wendy Sharp. Objective First Workbook with answers, 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Teaching methods and tools
The course will be taught entirely in English, with minimal use of translation, to immerse students in the target language and accelerate their acquisition of knowledge and skills. The approach will be strongly based on the completion of targeted tasks, maximizing the time dedicated to allow students to actively practice and develop their English language skills with the guidance of the instructor. Students will be asked to work individually, in pairs and in groups to meet different needs and learning styles.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final exam will be divided into two tests: Reading and Listening. The Reading Test (lasting approximately one hour) will assess the comprehension of the text, knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The Listening Test (lasting approximately 30 minutes) will assess the students' ability to listen to essential and detailed information. The Reading Test will count for 2/3 of the total score while the Listening Test will count for 1/3.
Additional info
The teacher is available for consultations by appointment.
