English I and Mediation
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The entry level required for this course is the B1 level of the CEFR. This course aims to strengthen the knowledge of lexical, morphological, syntactic and phonological structures of English, as well as to introduce the concept of mediation for intercultural communication. Particularly, the course aims to provide students with a practical as well as metalinguistic understanding of the English phonology in its British variant (received pronunciation, or RP), also compared to other variants, whereby practical understanding refers to listening and production skills, and metalinguistic skills refer to the ability to describe and analyse language phenomena. The goal is for students to become familiar with the English varieties spoken in different geographic areas (also in terms of lexical variations) and with the sociolinguistic dynamics that characterise the use of the language. In order to introduce the principles of specialised communication, particular attention will be paid to the tourism sector, which offers a practical example of intercultural communication. By the end of the course, students will have reached proficiency in general English at B2+ level under the CEFR and acquired theoretical and practical knowledge with regard to intercultural communication.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to apply linguistic knowledge to understand and produce non-specialised texts and tourism texts at B2+ level under the CEFR. Particular focus will be on oral communication, in order to develop listening and interaction skills. They will be able to recognise the different English accents and their respective geographic areas, as well as to understand the dynamics of interaction in intercultural communication. In the specialised field of tourism, students will be able to recognise and adopt the correct linguistic strategies to be used in different contexts and situations according to the communicative goals to be reached, and to discuss on such themes by adopting a pertinent academic language.
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-K
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is divided into two main parts, which are further subdivided into smaller units: the first part is mainly theoretical and is divided into four teaching units (1,2,3, and 4), while the second part focuses on language practice and is divided into four skills classes (a, b, c and d).
Teaching units:
Prof. M. Sturiale (Units 1 and 2)
Prof. L. Berti (course coordinator, Unit 3)
Prof. M.C. Paganoni (Unit 4)
Unit 1 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Phonetics and phonology (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 2 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 3 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): Intercultural pragmatics (Prof. Berti)
Unit 4 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): English for tourism (Prof. Paganoni)
During your first year, you will develop linguistic and metalinguistic skills relating to key features of the English language and its use.
Over the three years of the BA, the English courses aim to provide students with a description of English in its various aspects. In year 1, the focus is on phonetics. Following this introductory module, we will devote our attention to diatopic variation (i.e., to the study of varieties of English across the world, unit 2), diaphasic variation (i.e. variation according to the situation of use, unit 3), and diatypic variation (i.e. the use of English in a specific domain, for specific purposes, unit 4), with a focus on the language of tourism. This specialised field will be analysed, on the one hand, to provide students with the practical and critical competences needed to master English for tourism as a register and language variety, and, on the other, as an introduction to the notion of language for special purposes, which will be the focus of years 2 and 3.
The official course is organised in four parts, each of which will be tested separately (see below, in the section devoted to assessment methods and criteria):
1. Phonetics and phonology (semester I)
English phonetics and phonology; the IPA; sounds and articulation; word stress, sentence stress, pitch and intonation. Practical applications for listening for academic purposes.
2. Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (semester I)
This part of the course introduces sociolinguistic variation in today's English and focuses, in particular, on a selection of varieties of English.
3. Intercultural pragmatics (semester II)
This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural communication, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
4. English for tourism (semester II)
The last part of the course describes the characteristics of English for tourism as a specialised language and introduces the main written genres of tourism discourse through the detailed linguistic analysis of selected excerpts from written tourist materials (advertisements, brochures, travel articles, guidebooks, websites, travel blogs, etc).
Language practice classes
Language Skills A: Use of English and listening - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills B: From reading to speaking - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills C: Use of English and listening - part 2 (20 hours, semester II)
Language Skills D: From reading to speaking, with a focus on tourism (20 hours, semester II)
The Language Skills classes will comprise a B2+-level grammar and vocabulary revision; practice in the comprehension of oral and written texts of the same level; oral production practice; and a focus on the language of tourism in Skills D.
Teaching units:
Prof. M. Sturiale (Units 1 and 2)
Prof. L. Berti (course coordinator, Unit 3)
Prof. M.C. Paganoni (Unit 4)
Unit 1 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Phonetics and phonology (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 2 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 3 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): Intercultural pragmatics (Prof. Berti)
Unit 4 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): English for tourism (Prof. Paganoni)
During your first year, you will develop linguistic and metalinguistic skills relating to key features of the English language and its use.
Over the three years of the BA, the English courses aim to provide students with a description of English in its various aspects. In year 1, the focus is on phonetics. Following this introductory module, we will devote our attention to diatopic variation (i.e., to the study of varieties of English across the world, unit 2), diaphasic variation (i.e. variation according to the situation of use, unit 3), and diatypic variation (i.e. the use of English in a specific domain, for specific purposes, unit 4), with a focus on the language of tourism. This specialised field will be analysed, on the one hand, to provide students with the practical and critical competences needed to master English for tourism as a register and language variety, and, on the other, as an introduction to the notion of language for special purposes, which will be the focus of years 2 and 3.
The official course is organised in four parts, each of which will be tested separately (see below, in the section devoted to assessment methods and criteria):
1. Phonetics and phonology (semester I)
English phonetics and phonology; the IPA; sounds and articulation; word stress, sentence stress, pitch and intonation. Practical applications for listening for academic purposes.
2. Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (semester I)
This part of the course introduces sociolinguistic variation in today's English and focuses, in particular, on a selection of varieties of English.
3. Intercultural pragmatics (semester II)
This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural communication, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
4. English for tourism (semester II)
The last part of the course describes the characteristics of English for tourism as a specialised language and introduces the main written genres of tourism discourse through the detailed linguistic analysis of selected excerpts from written tourist materials (advertisements, brochures, travel articles, guidebooks, websites, travel blogs, etc).
Language practice classes
Language Skills A: Use of English and listening - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills B: From reading to speaking - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills C: Use of English and listening - part 2 (20 hours, semester II)
Language Skills D: From reading to speaking, with a focus on tourism (20 hours, semester II)
The Language Skills classes will comprise a B2+-level grammar and vocabulary revision; practice in the comprehension of oral and written texts of the same level; oral production practice; and a focus on the language of tourism in Skills D.
Prerequisites for admission
The required entry knowledge of English should correspond to a B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students should also have a base knowledge of Italian. Only students who have obtained a minimum score of 25 out of 30 in the entry test are eligible to enrol in the course.
Students enrolled in the STRANIMEDIA curriculum are required to sit a dedicated test before they can be admitted to the course. Details of the test will be communicated to STRANIMEDIA students upon enrolment.
Students enrolled in the STRANIMEDIA curriculum are required to sit a dedicated test before they can be admitted to the course. Details of the test will be communicated to STRANIMEDIA students upon enrolment.
Teaching methods
The official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4) is lecture-based but students will also be asked to actively participate in select classroom activities. Besides the official course, students will attend language practice classes (referred to as "esercitazioni" in Italian and as "skills" or "practice classes" in English). Students will be asked to enrol in these classes, which will have a limited number of students so as to enable more focused and consistent interaction.
Teaching Resources
Phonetics and phonology (unit 1)
- Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 9-11).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Unit 2)
- Trudgill, Peter and Hannah Jean 2017, International English: A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English (The English Language Series), 6th edition, Abingdon and New York, Routledge.
Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 12-13).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Intercultural pragmatics (Unit 3)
- Kecskes, Istvan 2014, Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics.
PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
English for Tourism (Unit 4)
- Maci, Stefania 2020, English Tourism Discourse. Insights into the Professional, Promotional and Digital Language of Tourism, Milano, Hoepli.
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
Skills
- Day, Jeremy & Skerrit, Graham 2020, Language Hub Advanced. Student's book + App + workbook, London, Macmillan Education. ISBN 9781380054135.
- Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 9-11).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Unit 2)
- Trudgill, Peter and Hannah Jean 2017, International English: A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English (The English Language Series), 6th edition, Abingdon and New York, Routledge.
Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 12-13).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Intercultural pragmatics (Unit 3)
- Kecskes, Istvan 2014, Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics.
PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
English for Tourism (Unit 4)
- Maci, Stefania 2020, English Tourism Discourse. Insights into the Professional, Promotional and Digital Language of Tourism, Milano, Hoepli.
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
Skills
- Day, Jeremy & Skerrit, Graham 2020, Language Hub Advanced. Student's book + App + workbook, London, Macmillan Education. ISBN 9781380054135.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is test-based. To obtain a final mark ('voto di esame'), students will have to pass four computer tests covering the contents of the four teaching units, as well as preliminary language skills tests.
1. PRELIMINARY LANGUAGE SKILLS TEST ('accertamento linguistico')
The language skills written test assesses students' grammar, listening and reading skills, focusing in particular on the specific lexico-syntactic aspects dealt with primarily in the language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") throughout the academic year. The preliminary language skills written test is composed of the following parts:
1) a grammar test, with exercises including true-or-false questions, multiple choice questions, gap filling, sentence transformations - 31 questions in 30 minutes (pass mark: 18/30);
2) a listening exercise with a lexical cloze-test - 10 gaps to fill in 10 minutes (pass mark: 6/10);
3) a reading comprehension exercise with 20 questions to complete in 20 minutes (pass mark: 12/20).
This is administered 3 times a year during the 'appelli scritti', requires online UNIMIA registration, and must be passed by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year (28 February 2026). Dictionaries are not allowed. As the course is taught over two semesters, the first valid session for students to sit the exam is that of May 2025.
2. COURSE CONTENT TESTS
Besides the preliminary English skills test, students will have to pass four computer tests on the contents of the official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4). Each test is composed of 31 questions, to be answered in 30 minutes. The four course content tests include multiple choice, true/false and gap-filling exercises. These tests can be sat 1) all together during the 'appelli orali', which are administered 6 times throughout the academic year, or 2) individually as interim tests, which will take place at the end of each teaching unit; in both cases UNIMIA registration is required. Information regarding the practical organisation of the official oral exams ("appelli orali") and the interim tests will be given in class and via MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392).
The marks obtained in the various tests will be valid until the 28th of February 2026. If students do not complete the exam by this date, they will have to resit all of the parts of the exam according to the new syllabus (which may be different; please check it for changes).
3. FINAL ORAL EXAM
To complete the exam, students will sit an oral test aimed at assessing their competences in the domains of academic English and in the discourse of tourism, besides basic oral skills (comprehension, oral production, interaction skills; all of the above accompanied by suitable fluency and adequate pronunciation).
The oral exam consists of a short 8-10 minute interview in which students have to prove that they can talk about themes and subjects dealt with in the course in a linguistically correct and academically appropriate manner. This is administered 6 times a year during the 'appelli orali' and requires online UNIMIA registration.
FINAL MARK ('VOTO DI ESAME')
Only students who have successfully passed the preliminary language skills written test and the course content tests will be able to sit the final oral exam and obtain a final mark, which will be the only one visible on the students curriculum.
The final oral exam includes 1) the "skills oral assessment", i.e. an oral interview on the subject of tourism; and 2) a final interview in which the students will be asked one question per each teaching unit of the official course.
The final mark for the "Lingua inglese 1 e mediazione" course will be awarded at the end of the final oral exam by one of the course professors, who will consider the marks obtained by the student in all the different tests, particularly in the course content tests. Speaking and interaction skills will be the object of specific assessment, which will consider all aspects of the student's language competence (including pronunciation, which is dealt extensively in the course, especially in the part devoted to phonetics).
1. PRELIMINARY LANGUAGE SKILLS TEST ('accertamento linguistico')
The language skills written test assesses students' grammar, listening and reading skills, focusing in particular on the specific lexico-syntactic aspects dealt with primarily in the language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") throughout the academic year. The preliminary language skills written test is composed of the following parts:
1) a grammar test, with exercises including true-or-false questions, multiple choice questions, gap filling, sentence transformations - 31 questions in 30 minutes (pass mark: 18/30);
2) a listening exercise with a lexical cloze-test - 10 gaps to fill in 10 minutes (pass mark: 6/10);
3) a reading comprehension exercise with 20 questions to complete in 20 minutes (pass mark: 12/20).
This is administered 3 times a year during the 'appelli scritti', requires online UNIMIA registration, and must be passed by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year (28 February 2026). Dictionaries are not allowed. As the course is taught over two semesters, the first valid session for students to sit the exam is that of May 2025.
2. COURSE CONTENT TESTS
Besides the preliminary English skills test, students will have to pass four computer tests on the contents of the official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4). Each test is composed of 31 questions, to be answered in 30 minutes. The four course content tests include multiple choice, true/false and gap-filling exercises. These tests can be sat 1) all together during the 'appelli orali', which are administered 6 times throughout the academic year, or 2) individually as interim tests, which will take place at the end of each teaching unit; in both cases UNIMIA registration is required. Information regarding the practical organisation of the official oral exams ("appelli orali") and the interim tests will be given in class and via MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392).
The marks obtained in the various tests will be valid until the 28th of February 2026. If students do not complete the exam by this date, they will have to resit all of the parts of the exam according to the new syllabus (which may be different; please check it for changes).
3. FINAL ORAL EXAM
To complete the exam, students will sit an oral test aimed at assessing their competences in the domains of academic English and in the discourse of tourism, besides basic oral skills (comprehension, oral production, interaction skills; all of the above accompanied by suitable fluency and adequate pronunciation).
The oral exam consists of a short 8-10 minute interview in which students have to prove that they can talk about themes and subjects dealt with in the course in a linguistically correct and academically appropriate manner. This is administered 6 times a year during the 'appelli orali' and requires online UNIMIA registration.
FINAL MARK ('VOTO DI ESAME')
Only students who have successfully passed the preliminary language skills written test and the course content tests will be able to sit the final oral exam and obtain a final mark, which will be the only one visible on the students curriculum.
The final oral exam includes 1) the "skills oral assessment", i.e. an oral interview on the subject of tourism; and 2) a final interview in which the students will be asked one question per each teaching unit of the official course.
The final mark for the "Lingua inglese 1 e mediazione" course will be awarded at the end of the final oral exam by one of the course professors, who will consider the marks obtained by the student in all the different tests, particularly in the course content tests. Speaking and interaction skills will be the object of specific assessment, which will consider all aspects of the student's language competence (including pronunciation, which is dealt extensively in the course, especially in the part devoted to phonetics).
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is divided into two main parts, which are further subdivided into smaller units: the first part is mainly theoretical and is divided into four teaching units (1,2,3, and 4), while the second part focuses on language practice and is divided into four skills classes (a, b, c and d).
Teaching units:
Prof. M. Sturiale (course coordinator Units 1 and 2)
Prof. L. Berti (Unit 3)
Prof. M.C. Paganoni (Unit 4)
Unit 1 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Phonetics and phonology (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 2 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 3 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): Intercultural pragmatics (Prof. Berti)
Unit 4 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): English for tourism (Prof. Paganoni)
During your first year, you will develop linguistic and metalinguistic skills relating to key features of the English language and its use.
Over the three years of the BA, the English courses aim to provide students with a description of English in its various aspects. In year 1, the focus is on phonetics. Following this introductory module, we will devote our attention to diatopic variation (i.e., to the study of varieties of English across the world, unit 2), diaphasic variation (i.e. variation according to the situation of use, unit 3), and diatypic variation (i.e. the use of English in a specific domain, for specific purposes, unit 4), with a focus on the language of tourism. This specialised field will be analysed, on the one hand, to provide students with the practical and critical competences needed to master English for tourism as a register and language variety, and, on the other, as an introduction to the notion of language for special purposes, which will be the focus of years 2 and 3.
The official course is organised in four parts, each of which will be tested separately (see below, in the section devoted to assessment methods and criteria):
1. Phonetics and phonology (semester I)
English phonetics and phonology; the IPA; sounds and articulation; word stress, sentence stress, pitch and intonation. Practical applications for listening for academic purposes.
2. Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (semester I)
This part of the course introduces sociolinguistic variation in today's English and focuses, in particular, on a selection of varieties of English.
3. Intercultural pragmatics (semester II)
This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural communication, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
4. English for tourism (semester II)
The last part of the course describes the characteristics of English for tourism as a specialised language and introduces the main written genres of tourism discourse through the detailed linguistic analysis of selected excerpts from written tourist materials (advertisements, brochures, travel articles, guidebooks, websites, travel blogs, etc).
Language practice classes
Language Skills A: Use of English and listening - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills B: From reading to speaking - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills C: Use of English and listening - part 2 (20 hours, semester II)
Language Skills D: From reading to speaking, with a focus on tourism (20 hours, semester II)
The Language Skills classes will comprise a B2+-level grammar and vocabulary revision; practice in the comprehension of oral and written texts of the same level; oral production practice; and a focus on the language of tourism in Skills D.
Teaching units:
Prof. M. Sturiale (course coordinator Units 1 and 2)
Prof. L. Berti (Unit 3)
Prof. M.C. Paganoni (Unit 4)
Unit 1 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Phonetics and phonology (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 2 (20 hours, 3 cfu, I sem.): Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Prof. Sturiale)
Unit 3 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): Intercultural pragmatics (Prof. Berti)
Unit 4 (20 hours, 3 cfu, II sem.): English for tourism (Prof. Paganoni)
During your first year, you will develop linguistic and metalinguistic skills relating to key features of the English language and its use.
Over the three years of the BA, the English courses aim to provide students with a description of English in its various aspects. In year 1, the focus is on phonetics. Following this introductory module, we will devote our attention to diatopic variation (i.e., to the study of varieties of English across the world, unit 2), diaphasic variation (i.e. variation according to the situation of use, unit 3), and diatypic variation (i.e. the use of English in a specific domain, for specific purposes, unit 4), with a focus on the language of tourism. This specialised field will be analysed, on the one hand, to provide students with the practical and critical competences needed to master English for tourism as a register and language variety, and, on the other, as an introduction to the notion of language for special purposes, which will be the focus of years 2 and 3.
The official course is organised in four parts, each of which will be tested separately (see below, in the section devoted to assessment methods and criteria):
1. Phonetics and phonology (semester I)
English phonetics and phonology; the IPA; sounds and articulation; word stress, sentence stress, pitch and intonation. Practical applications for listening for academic purposes.
2. Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (semester I)
This part of the course introduces sociolinguistic variation in today's English and focuses, in particular, on a selection of varieties of English.
3. Intercultural pragmatics (semester II)
This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural communication, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
4. English for tourism (semester II)
The last part of the course describes the characteristics of English for tourism as a specialised language and introduces the main written genres of tourism discourse through the detailed linguistic analysis of selected excerpts from written tourist materials (advertisements, brochures, travel articles, guidebooks, websites, travel blogs, etc).
Language practice classes
Language Skills A: Use of English and listening - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills B: From reading to speaking - part 1 (20 hours, semester I)
Language Skills C: Use of English and listening - part 2 (20 hours, semester II)
Language Skills D: From reading to speaking, with a focus on tourism (20 hours, semester II)
The Language Skills classes will comprise a B2+-level grammar and vocabulary revision; practice in the comprehension of oral and written texts of the same level; oral production practice; and a focus on the language of tourism in Skills D.
Prerequisites for admission
The required entry knowledge of English should correspond to a B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students should also have a base knowledge of Italian. Only students who have obtained a minimum score of 25 out of 30 in the entry test are eligible to enrol in the course.
Students enrolled in the STRANIMEDIA curriculum are required to sit a dedicated test before they can be admitted to the course. Details of the test will be communicated to STRANIMEDIA students upon enrolment.
Students enrolled in the STRANIMEDIA curriculum are required to sit a dedicated test before they can be admitted to the course. Details of the test will be communicated to STRANIMEDIA students upon enrolment.
Teaching methods
The official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4) is lecture-based but students will also be asked to actively participate in select classroom activities. Besides the official course, students will attend language practice classes (referred to as "esercitazioni" in Italian and as "skills" or "practice classes" in English). Students will be asked to enrol in these classes, which will have a limited number of students so as to enable more focused and consistent interaction.
Teaching Resources
Phonetics and phonology (unit 1)
- Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 9-11).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Unit 2)
- Trudgill, Peter and Hannah Jean 2017, International English: A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English (The English Language Series), 6th edition, Abingdon and New York, Routledge.
Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 12-13).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Intercultural pragmatics (Unit 3)
- Kecskes, Istvan 2014, Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics.
PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
English for Tourism (Unit 4)
- Maci, Stefania 2020, English Tourism Discourse. Insights into the Professional, Promotional and Digital Language of Tourism, Milano, Hoepli.
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
Skills
- Day, Jeremy & Skerrit, Graham 2020, Language Hub Advanced. Student's book + App + workbook, London, Macmillan Education. ISBN 9781380054135.
- Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 9-11).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Sociolinguistics and Varieties of English (Unit 2)
- Trudgill, Peter and Hannah Jean 2017, International English: A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English (The English Language Series), 6th edition, Abingdon and New York, Routledge.
Ballard, Kim 2022, Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, 4th edition, Basingstoke and London, Palgrave Macmillan (chapters 12-13).
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392.
Intercultural pragmatics (Unit 3)
- Kecskes, Istvan 2014, Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics.
PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
English for Tourism (Unit 4)
- Maci, Stefania 2020, English Tourism Discourse. Insights into the Professional, Promotional and Digital Language of Tourism, Milano, Hoepli.
- PPT presentations and any other materials uploaded to MyAriel https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392
Skills
- Day, Jeremy & Skerrit, Graham 2020, Language Hub Advanced. Student's book + App + workbook, London, Macmillan Education. ISBN 9781380054135.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is test-based. To obtain a final mark ('voto di esame'), students will have to pass four computer tests covering the contents of the four teaching units, as well as preliminary language skills tests.
1. PRELIMINARY LANGUAGE SKILLS TEST ('accertamento linguistico')
The language skills written test assesses students' grammar, listening and reading skills, focusing in particular on the specific lexico-syntactic aspects dealt with primarily in the language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") throughout the academic year. The preliminary language skills written test is composed of the following parts:
1) a grammar test, with exercises including true-or-false questions, multiple choice questions, gap filling, sentence transformations - 31 questions in 30 minutes (pass mark: 18/30);
2) a listening exercise with a lexical cloze-test - 10 gaps to fill in 10 minutes (pass mark: 6/10);
3) a reading comprehension exercise with 20 questions to complete in 20 minutes (pass mark: 12/20).
This is administered 3 times a year during the 'appelli scritti', requires online UNIMIA registration, and must be passed by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year (28 February 2026). Dictionaries are not allowed. As the course is taught over two semesters, the first valid session for students to sit the exam is that of May 2025.
2. COURSE CONTENT TESTS
Besides the preliminary English skills test, students will have to pass four computer tests on the contents of the official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4). Each test is composed of 31 questions, to be answered in 30 minutes. The four course content tests include multiple choice, true/false and gap-filling exercises. These tests can be sat 1) all together during the 'appelli orali', which are administered 6 times throughout the academic year, or 2) individually as interim tests, which will take place at the end of each teaching unit; in both cases UNIMIA registration is required. Information regarding the practical organisation of the official oral exams ("appelli orali") and the interim tests will be given in class and via MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392).
The marks obtained in the various tests will be valid until the 28th of February 2026. If students do not complete the exam by this date, they will have to resit all of the parts of the exam according to the new syllabus (which may be different; please check it for changes).
3. FINAL ORAL EXAM
To complete the exam, students will sit an oral test aimed at assessing their competences in the domains of academic English and in the discourse of tourism, besides basic oral skills (comprehension, oral production, interaction skills; all of the above accompanied by suitable fluency and adequate pronunciation).
The oral exam consists of a short 8-10 minute interview in which students have to prove that they can talk about themes and subjects dealt with in the course in a linguistically correct and academically appropriate manner. This is administered 6 times a year during the 'appelli orali' and requires online UNIMIA registration.
FINAL MARK ('VOTO DI ESAME')
Only students who have successfully passed the preliminary language skills written test and the course content tests will be able to sit the final oral exam and obtain a final mark, which will be the only one visible on the students curriculum.
The final oral exam includes 1) the "skills oral assessment", i.e. an oral interview on the subject of tourism; and 2) a final interview in which the students will be asked one question per each teaching unit of the official course.
The final mark for the "Lingua inglese 1 e mediazione" course will be awarded at the end of the final oral exam by one of the course professors, who will consider the marks obtained by the student in all the different tests, particularly in the course content tests. Speaking and interaction skills will be the object of specific assessment, which will consider all aspects of the student's language competence (including pronunciation, which is dealt extensively in the course, especially in the part devoted to phonetics).
1. PRELIMINARY LANGUAGE SKILLS TEST ('accertamento linguistico')
The language skills written test assesses students' grammar, listening and reading skills, focusing in particular on the specific lexico-syntactic aspects dealt with primarily in the language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") throughout the academic year. The preliminary language skills written test is composed of the following parts:
1) a grammar test, with exercises including true-or-false questions, multiple choice questions, gap filling, sentence transformations - 31 questions in 30 minutes (pass mark: 18/30);
2) a listening exercise with a lexical cloze-test - 10 gaps to fill in 10 minutes (pass mark: 6/10);
3) a reading comprehension exercise with 20 questions to complete in 20 minutes (pass mark: 12/20).
This is administered 3 times a year during the 'appelli scritti', requires online UNIMIA registration, and must be passed by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year (28 February 2026). Dictionaries are not allowed. As the course is taught over two semesters, the first valid session for students to sit the exam is that of May 2025.
2. COURSE CONTENT TESTS
Besides the preliminary English skills test, students will have to pass four computer tests on the contents of the official course (units 1, 2, 3 and 4). Each test is composed of 31 questions, to be answered in 30 minutes. The four course content tests include multiple choice, true/false and gap-filling exercises. These tests can be sat 1) all together during the 'appelli orali', which are administered 6 times throughout the academic year, or 2) individually as interim tests, which will take place at the end of each teaching unit; in both cases UNIMIA registration is required. Information regarding the practical organisation of the official oral exams ("appelli orali") and the interim tests will be given in class and via MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4392).
The marks obtained in the various tests will be valid until the 28th of February 2026. If students do not complete the exam by this date, they will have to resit all of the parts of the exam according to the new syllabus (which may be different; please check it for changes).
3. FINAL ORAL EXAM
To complete the exam, students will sit an oral test aimed at assessing their competences in the domains of academic English and in the discourse of tourism, besides basic oral skills (comprehension, oral production, interaction skills; all of the above accompanied by suitable fluency and adequate pronunciation).
The oral exam consists of a short 8-10 minute interview in which students have to prove that they can talk about themes and subjects dealt with in the course in a linguistically correct and academically appropriate manner. This is administered 6 times a year during the 'appelli orali' and requires online UNIMIA registration.
FINAL MARK ('VOTO DI ESAME')
Only students who have successfully passed the preliminary language skills written test and the course content tests will be able to sit the final oral exam and obtain a final mark, which will be the only one visible on the students curriculum.
The final oral exam includes 1) the "skills oral assessment", i.e. an oral interview on the subject of tourism; and 2) a final interview in which the students will be asked one question per each teaching unit of the official course.
The final mark for the "Lingua inglese 1 e mediazione" course will be awarded at the end of the final oral exam by one of the course professors, who will consider the marks obtained by the student in all the different tests, particularly in the course content tests. Speaking and interaction skills will be the object of specific assessment, which will consider all aspects of the student's language competence (including pronunciation, which is dealt extensively in the course, especially in the part devoted to phonetics).
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday afternoons, from h. 15:00, by email appointment.
Room 4013/Teams