ENGLISH
OVERVIEW
The course prepares students to reach a knowledge and understanding of English equivalent to a B1 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) and comprehension of scientific texts.
AIMS AND CONTENT
AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The objectives of the course are the following:
- to reach a knowledge and understanding of English equivalent to a B1 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- to be able to understand and translate a scientific text autonomously
- to be able to activate wide and specific lexical skills when reading scientific texts
- to be able to understand a clear, structured discourse
- to be able to discuss scientific topics appropriately
- to be able to write about personal experiences, hopes, ambitions and give a brief summary on an scientific topic
Teaching methods
The lessons envisage plenaries, pairwork, groupwork and individual study
Audio-visual material will be used to provide comprehension exercises
The lessons will provide practice in in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
The lessons will be held in English although Italian will be used to translate the texts
The slides and further material will be available on aulaweb
SYLLABUS/CONTENT
The course syllabus is as follows:
- Listening: listening comprehension activities to develop the understanding of discourse of varying lengths
- Reading: develop the ability to understand and translate different types of scientific texts
- Grammar: develop grammatical skills - revise tenses, comparatives, passive, modal verbs, hypothesis, prepositions, linkers
- Lexis: develop lexical skills - false friends, linkers, scientific terms
- Speaking: communicative activities to develop oral production and interaction
- Writing: activities to help give a short, clear and concise written summary
RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Chemistry of the Elements, A. Earnshaw, N. Greenwood - the book may be found in the Chemistry Department's library in both English and Italian
- Grammar for PET (Cambridge), Barbara Thomas
TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD
Ricevimento: Office hours: Monday 11.00-13.00; Friday 10.00-12.00
Exam Board
JAMES LOGAN REYNOLDS (President)
NADIA PARODI
MAURO GIOVANNINI
LESSONS
Teaching methods
The lessons envisage plenaries, pairwork, groupwork and individual study
Audio-visual material will be used to provide comprehension exercises
The lessons will provide practice in in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
The lessons will be held in English although Italian will be used to translate the texts
The slides and further material will be available on aulaweb
LESSONS START
From 2 October 2017 to 14 January 2018 (according to the timetable at www.ctc.unige.it) (first semester)
EXAMS
Exam description
Students must pass a written exam. There is no final mark but only a Pass is awarded.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
General English at B1 level
- Multiple-choice Gap Fill: 15 spaces to complete (10 marks)
- Writing: about 60/70 parole (5 marks)
Scientific English
- Translation: translation of a scientific text from English into Italian (15 marks)
(a dictionary is not permitted)
Assessment methods
The students are tested on their understanding of scientific texts. The exam assesses whether the students have acquired the grammatical and lexical skills at a B1 level that are relevant to the scientific field.