Objectives of the course:

The course aims to
provide the students with the necessary linguistic competences to easily read
and understand all sorts of scientific texts written in English. The course will
be based on the notional-functional approach aimed at developing the many
aspects of L2: functions and notions, lexis and registers, communicative and
cognitive competencies, receptive and productive abilities (specifically
written). The goal set is the reinforcement of the comprehension of the written
language, the enhancement of the vocabulary (ESP) and the acquisition of the B2
Level (grammar)

Description of
contents:

Introduction to
linguistic structures from a morphological, syntactic and semantic point of
view within specific situations and English cultural contexts. Development of
diversified communicative and analytical skills in order to understand both
written and oral English. Development of reading skills on scientific texts. A
number of activities such as summarizing, paraphrasing, text analysis and
instructions formulation will be provided.

Grammar:

-           Tense revision

-           simple present

-           present continuous

-           simple past

-           past continuous

-           present perfect simple and continuous

-           past perfect simple and continuous

-           to be going to/present continuous

-           will/shall

-           future perfect

-           future continuous

•          would, used to, be/get used to

•          would rather/would prefer/had better

•          zero, first, second, third
conditionals. Mixed conditionals

•          wish + simple past/ wish + past
perfect – if only

•          phrasal verbs

•          modal verbs

•          question tags

•          verb patterns

•          countable/uncountable nouns

•          determiners

•          relative clauses

•          comparatives and superlatives

•          reported speech

•          conjunctions and prepositions

•          passive

•          have/get something done

Skills to be developed
and expected learning outcomes:

Develop communicative
abilities, reflect on linguistic structures and detect the differences between
L1 and L2. Enhance logical and critical process of thoughtful reflection, improve
the method of study, the use of memory, metacognitive abilities and
self-confidence. Promote autonomous work and interaction. Show openness,
curiosity and interest in other cultures. Carry out “compare and contrast” processes
between different social and linguistic dimensions.

Final evaluation:

The final evaluation
will be written following the Multiple Choice format. It will be divided into
two parts: the one assessing grammar, the other comprehension of scientific
texts.

Suggested textbooks:

-           English
Grammar in Use, Third Edition, Raymond Murphy, Cambridge University Press

-            Other material can be downloaded from: http://bigbang.uniroma1.it/  English exams: sapienza: dispensa Dr. Baker: Dispensa Dr Manus: Trial exam I: trial exam II