English 2
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at second-year BA students. It consists of lectures (Corso Monografico) and practical language classes (Esercitazioni). Corso Monografico aims to provide students with advanced-level theoretical tools to consolidate their implicit and explicit knowledge of English phonetics/phonology and English lexicogrammar and to carry out English/Italian comparative/contrastive analyses. Aspects of syntactic change and phonological variation in 21st century English are also addressed. Esercitazioni aim to develop students' receptive and productive skills in English at an advanced level.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: the notion of lexicogrammatical 'construction' and the syntactic and semantic features of the main English lexicogrammatical constructions; the main syntactic changes taking place in 21st century English; phonological variation: main accents of 21st century English.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Corso monografico: students need to be able to a. identify in texts of different types and analyse metalinguistically the main English lexicogrammatical constructions; b. carry out English/Italian comparative/contrastive analyses of the syntactic and semantic features of constructions; c. identify/reproduce the main phonological features of a sample English regional accents; d. consult online corpora and concordancers. Esercitazioni. Students need to be able to a. listen to academic talks and take notes; b. engage in monologues (presentations) and dialogues on current affairs issues, presenting their points of view and arguing their opinions; c. write short academic essays on a wide range of topics, arguing against or in favour a claim/position."
Applying knowledge and understanding: Corso monografico: students need to be able to a. identify in texts of different types and analyse metalinguistically the main English lexicogrammatical constructions; b. carry out English/Italian comparative/contrastive analyses of the syntactic and semantic features of constructions; c. identify/reproduce the main phonological features of a sample English regional accents; d. consult online corpora and concordancers. Esercitazioni. Students need to be able to a. listen to academic talks and take notes; b. engage in monologues (presentations) and dialogues on current affairs issues, presenting their points of view and arguing their opinions; c. write short academic essays on a wide range of topics, arguing against or in favour a claim/position."
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
A (A-K)
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course (Seeing through 21st century English) is made up of two parts:
Part A: English Lexicogrammatical Constructions
Part B: Phonological variation: regional and social accents of English
Part A will introduce the concept of 'lexicogrammatical construction' and analyze the main English clause constructions. Part B will focus on key aspects of phonological variation in English, with reference to the main regional and social accents of 21st century English (Accents of the British Isles, General American, World Accent varieties) and the phenomenon of accent bias.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2026.
Part A: English Lexicogrammatical Constructions
Part B: Phonological variation: regional and social accents of English
Part A will introduce the concept of 'lexicogrammatical construction' and analyze the main English clause constructions. Part B will focus on key aspects of phonological variation in English, with reference to the main regional and social accents of 21st century English (Accents of the British Isles, General American, World Accent varieties) and the phenomenon of accent bias.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held entirely in English. Students are expected to have a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) B2 proficiency level in English to be able to take part in the teaching activities and to complete the assignments.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following learning and teaching methods:
- interactive lectures/theoretical input sessions.
- tasks: syntactic, phonological and contrastive analysis, Italian-English translation, students' oral presentations
The course also features practical language classes (see esercitazioni description).
- interactive lectures/theoretical input sessions.
- tasks: syntactic, phonological and contrastive analysis, Italian-English translation, students' oral presentations
The course also features practical language classes (see esercitazioni description).
Teaching Resources
The course website (https://anavali2.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx), which is hosted on the university's Ariel platform, features lesson handouts and notes and further teaching and learning materials.
The reading list is provided below.
Part A
Depraetere, I. and C. Langford. 2019. Advanced English Grammar. A Linguistic Approach. Second edition. London: Bloomsbury.
Celce-Murcia, M. and D. Larsen-Freeman. 2015. The Grammar Book. An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course. Third edition. Boston: Heinle (pp. 359-361)
Cowan, R. 2008. The Teacher's Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 330-339; pp. 396-397; pp. 404-405; pp. 408-409; pp. 471-484).
Wierzbicka, A. 2006. English: Meaning and Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press (pp. 171-183).
Murphy, L. 2016. (Un)separated by a common language. English Today, 32(1), pp. 56-59.
Part B
Collins, B. S. e I. M. Mees. 2013. Practical Phonetics and Phonology. A Resource Book for Students. Third edition. London: Routledge
Accent Bias in Britain 2020 report: https://accentbiasbritain.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Accent-Bias-Britain-Report-2020.pdf
Students who are unable to attend the course are strongly encouraged to contact the course lecturers during their office hours.
The reading list is provided below.
Part A
Depraetere, I. and C. Langford. 2019. Advanced English Grammar. A Linguistic Approach. Second edition. London: Bloomsbury.
Celce-Murcia, M. and D. Larsen-Freeman. 2015. The Grammar Book. An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course. Third edition. Boston: Heinle (pp. 359-361)
Cowan, R. 2008. The Teacher's Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 330-339; pp. 396-397; pp. 404-405; pp. 408-409; pp. 471-484).
Wierzbicka, A. 2006. English: Meaning and Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press (pp. 171-183).
Murphy, L. 2016. (Un)separated by a common language. English Today, 32(1), pp. 56-59.
Part B
Collins, B. S. e I. M. Mees. 2013. Practical Phonetics and Phonology. A Resource Book for Students. Third edition. London: Routledge
Accent Bias in Britain 2020 report: https://accentbiasbritain.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Accent-Bias-Britain-Report-2020.pdf
Students who are unable to attend the course are strongly encouraged to contact the course lecturers during their office hours.
Assessment methods and Criteria
50% of the overall exam mark (out of 30) is allocated to parts A and B of the course and 50% to the practical language classes.
Course (Parts A, B):
Students are required to take a written test. The written test is made up of open questions, metalinguistic analysis tasks and Italian-English translations of sentences. Students who attend the course regularly may opt to take two mid-term tests instead of the final written test.
Practical language classes:
The written test is made up of two sections:
1. Written Cloze Test
Students read a newspaper article and fill in 30 gaps in the text.
2. Summary Response Essay Writing
Students write a 500-word argumentative essay. An input text (newspaper article) is provided.
No dictionaries are allowed to be used when taking any section of the written test.
The writing section of the exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Text and paragraph structure, cohesion, morphology and syntax, lexis, use of appropriate register.
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the course lecturers as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the course lecturers and the University Disability Office.
Course (Parts A, B):
Students are required to take a written test. The written test is made up of open questions, metalinguistic analysis tasks and Italian-English translations of sentences. Students who attend the course regularly may opt to take two mid-term tests instead of the final written test.
Practical language classes:
The written test is made up of two sections:
1. Written Cloze Test
Students read a newspaper article and fill in 30 gaps in the text.
2. Summary Response Essay Writing
Students write a 500-word argumentative essay. An input text (newspaper article) is provided.
No dictionaries are allowed to be used when taking any section of the written test.
The writing section of the exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Text and paragraph structure, cohesion, morphology and syntax, lexis, use of appropriate register.
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the course lecturers as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the course lecturers and the University Disability Office.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Nava Andrea
B (L-Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course (Seeing through 21st century English) is made up of two parts:
Part A: English Lexicogrammatical Constructions
Part B: Phonological variation: regional and social accents of English
Part A will introduce the concept of 'lexicogrammatical construction' and analyze the main English clause constructions. Part B will focus on key aspects of phonological variation in English, with reference to the main regional and social accents of 21st century English (Accents of the British Isles, General American, World Accent varieties) and the phenomenon of accent bias.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2026.
Part A: English Lexicogrammatical Constructions
Part B: Phonological variation: regional and social accents of English
Part A will introduce the concept of 'lexicogrammatical construction' and analyze the main English clause constructions. Part B will focus on key aspects of phonological variation in English, with reference to the main regional and social accents of 21st century English (Accents of the British Isles, General American, World Accent varieties) and the phenomenon of accent bias.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held entirely in English. Students are expected to have a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) B2 proficiency level in English to be able to take part in the teaching activities and to complete the assignments.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following learning and teaching methods:
- interactive lectures/theoretical input sessions.
- tasks: metalinguistic and contrastive analysis, Italian-English translation, students' oral presentations.
The course also features practical language classes (see esercitazioni description).
- interactive lectures/theoretical input sessions.
- tasks: metalinguistic and contrastive analysis, Italian-English translation, students' oral presentations.
The course also features practical language classes (see esercitazioni description).
Teaching Resources
The course website (https://anavali2.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx), which is hosted on the university's Ariel platform, features lesson handouts and notes and further teaching and learning materials.
The reading list is provided below.
Part A
Depraetere, I. e C. Langford. 2019. Advanced English Grammar. A Linguistic Approach. Second edition. London: Bloomsbury.
Celce-Murcia, M. e D. Larsen-Freeman. 2015. The Grammar Book. An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course. Third edition. Boston: Heinle (pp. 359-361)
Cowan, R. 2008. The Teacher's Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 330-339; pp. 396-397; pp. 404-405; pp. 408-409; pp. 471-484).
Wierzbicka, A. 2006. English: Meaning and Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press (pp. 171-183).
Murphy, L. 2016. (Un)separated by a common language. English Today, 32(1), pp. 56-59.
Part B
Collins, B. S. e I. M. Mees. 2013. Practical Phonetics and Phonology. A Resource Book for Students. Third edition. London: Routledge.
Accent Bias in Britain 2020 report: https://accentbiasbritain.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Accent-Bias-Britain-Report-2020.pdf
Students who are unable to attend the course are strongly encouraged to contact the course lecturers during their office hours.
The reading list is provided below.
Part A
Depraetere, I. e C. Langford. 2019. Advanced English Grammar. A Linguistic Approach. Second edition. London: Bloomsbury.
Celce-Murcia, M. e D. Larsen-Freeman. 2015. The Grammar Book. An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course. Third edition. Boston: Heinle (pp. 359-361)
Cowan, R. 2008. The Teacher's Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 330-339; pp. 396-397; pp. 404-405; pp. 408-409; pp. 471-484).
Wierzbicka, A. 2006. English: Meaning and Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press (pp. 171-183).
Murphy, L. 2016. (Un)separated by a common language. English Today, 32(1), pp. 56-59.
Part B
Collins, B. S. e I. M. Mees. 2013. Practical Phonetics and Phonology. A Resource Book for Students. Third edition. London: Routledge.
Accent Bias in Britain 2020 report: https://accentbiasbritain.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Accent-Bias-Britain-Report-2020.pdf
Students who are unable to attend the course are strongly encouraged to contact the course lecturers during their office hours.
Assessment methods and Criteria
50% of the overall exam mark (out of 30) is allocated to parts A and B of the course and 50% to the practical language classes.
Course (Parts A, B):
Students are required to take a written test. The written test is made up of open questions, metalinguistic analysis tasks and Italian-English translations of sentences. Students who attend the course regularly may opt to take two mid-term tests instead of the final written test.
Practical language classes:
The written test is made up of two sections:
1. Written Cloze Test
Students read a newspaper article and fill in 30 gaps in the text.
2. Summary Response Essay Writing
Students write an argumentative 500-word essay. An input text (newspaper article) is provided.
No dictionaries are allowed to be used when taking any section of the written test.
The writing section of the exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
text and paragraph structure, cohesion, morphology and syntax, lexis, use of appropriate register.
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the course lecturers as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the course lecturers and the University Disability Office.
Course (Parts A, B):
Students are required to take a written test. The written test is made up of open questions, metalinguistic analysis tasks and Italian-English translations of sentences. Students who attend the course regularly may opt to take two mid-term tests instead of the final written test.
Practical language classes:
The written test is made up of two sections:
1. Written Cloze Test
Students read a newspaper article and fill in 30 gaps in the text.
2. Summary Response Essay Writing
Students write an argumentative 500-word essay. An input text (newspaper article) is provided.
No dictionaries are allowed to be used when taking any section of the written test.
The writing section of the exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
text and paragraph structure, cohesion, morphology and syntax, lexis, use of appropriate register.
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the course lecturers as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the course lecturers and the University Disability Office.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Nava Andrea
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)