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