English Language 1 (MA)

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/12
Language
English
Learning objectives
This course, reserved for first year graduate students, is made up of two classes, one monographic and the other language practice. In the monographic class, the students will acquire the necessary theoretical and practical tools to stimulate critical thinking skills, enrich vocabulary use, and provide an academic framework for speaking and writing tasks. In the language practice class, passive and active language skills will be consolidated.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of academic English both spoken and written through the analysis of newspaper articles and research papers in the humanities. Applying knowledge and understanding: in the monographic class, the ability to express oneself proficiently on current affairs issues; to analyse and comment upon the structure of an academic research paper; in the language practice class, the ability to write an argumentative essay on a literary topic.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The name of the course is Academic Engish. It comprises three didactic units:

A: Reading, Critical Thinking and Lexical strengthening (Pinnavaia) - first semester
B: The rules of Academic English (Pinnavaia) - second semester
C: Analysing the style of research papers (Khalaf) - second semester



The syllabus is valid until July 2026. The written exam only is valid until January 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
This course is addressed to all first year students enroled in the degree course Lingue e Letterature Europee ed Extraeuropee.

The course is held entirely in English.
Teaching methods
The main and practical language courses feature readings, videos, audios in order to encourage students' interaction.
Teaching Resources
Reading list:

Swales, JM. & C.B. Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, (2012) (3rd edition).

Materials and slides used in class are available on the English Language 1 Ariel/Teams platforms.

Notice for non-attending students
The syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are kindly requested to e-mail prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in a written exam and an oral discussion. The final mark is derived from the averaged total between 18/30 (minimum) and 30/30 (maximum). The written and oral exams can be taken in any order desired.


WRITTEN EXAM - corresponds to the practical language classes (prof. Young)

The written exam consists in an argumentative essay on one of a list of topics studied in class in relation to the novels read in class (see the Practical language classes syllabus).

Written exam sessions: May, September, January.

ORAL EXAM - corresponds to the main course held by proff. Pinnavaia and Khalaf
The oral exam is divided into two parts:
1. Academic Writing Test - to carry out online within 24 hours. It tests the units B and C of the course.
2. Conversation exam on the articles read and discussed in unit A of the main course. Students will be examined in pairs on an article of their choice.

The two parts of the main course oral exam should be taken on the same day (appello)


Oral exam assessment criteria: 1. appropriate presentation and discussion of topics, notions, and concepts; 2. discourse organisation; 3. lexical richness and accuracy; 4. lexical propriety; 5. lexical variety; 6. detailed text analysis; 7. Speaking skills in general.


International students or Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact prof. Laura Pinnavaia ([email protected]. )

Students who have special needs (DSA), please contact the 'Segreterie studenti'.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Pinnavaia Laura
Professor(s)