78700 - English for Specific Purposes 2 (LM)

Learning outcomes

The global aim of this course - which includes lectures and language classes - is to improve students’ communicative skills and provide them with a sophisticated knowledge of selected aspects of the English language and culture also in order to allow them to compete for jobs in the international sector. More particularly, lectures will enable students to think critically about specific varieties of English in connection with their context of production and of reception. This aim will be achieved by providing students with theoretical knowledge taken from linguistics and sociolinguistics, as well as through close readings of authentic texts. Specific varieties of English taught in this course are aligned with the aims of this degree and include institutional discourse as represented in two or more of the following varieties of English: the language of politics, legal English, the language of healthcare and the language of economics. Language classes aim at improving students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of English should reach level C2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ writing skills in particular.

Course contents

1^st module (30 hours) (start 8th Feb)

This module aims to consolidate and enhance students’ language skills, particularly as regards speaking, as well as encouraging a critical reading of specific texts.

The module will provide an introduction to the relationship between language and institutions, with an analysis of the language of institutional and media discourse and examining its contribution to the creation of media styles and genres, including political discourse. Focus will be both on written and spoken language.

More specifically, the first module will deal with topics such as racist discourses, social actor analysis, political discourse, and the discourses of the new capitalism. The module will also address Social Skills Training, particularly as regards negotiating, assertiveness and persuasion.

Authentic texts will be used as examples.

The overall aim of the module is to develop students’ ability to recognise the ways in which power is disseminated in institutional, media or political discourse.

2^nd module (30 hours) (start 29th March)

The second module will continue to further consolidate the students’ language skills, written and spoken, in Economics and Marketing.

The module will highlight the written and spoken aspects of the language in these settings, with the analysis of the micro and macro elements of communication, as well as the cultural and psychological properties which effect them.

All written texts will be originals or exact transcripts of spoken mediums.

This module develops the students’ linguistic ability of critical thinking in communication.

Language classes(start 15th Feb)

Through the language classes, students will be able to put into practice analysis of language, style and attitude of songs and poems of war and civil rights.

The classes aim, on the one hand, to consolidate and expand students' language skills, with particular emphasis placed on critical reading and writing skills.

The language classes will train students in expository academic writing, involve class discussion on the analysis of texts. For exam preparation, emphasis will be placed on writing academic essays in English.

Readings/Bibliography

Module one

For attending students, materials will be indicated by the lecturer at the start of the course.

Suggested reading also includes:

Mumby D.K. (ed) (1993) Narrative and social control : critical perspectives, Newbury Park, CA : Sage,

Simpson P., Mayr A. & Statham S. (2018) (2nd ed.) Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

For non-attenders:

Simpson P., Mayr A. & Statham S. (2018) (2nd ed.)Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

Module two

Given the ongoing emergency situation, detailed information regarding reference material will be communicated during the first lesson so that the needs of off-campus students can be met as well as those of students who have physical access to the University’s libraries.

Students are strongly urged to check and confirm their status as participants of the course’s Virtual Learning platform in order to receive direct notices via email.

Material for the language classes (dispensa) will be available on the Virtual Learning platform.

Teaching methods

Module 1

Lectures will alternate with activities involving reading, listening and watching materials in English, combined with guided analysis and discussion of the texts as well as individual and group presentations. Active participation from the students in the discussions and the other activities is an essential part of the learning process and exam preparation.

Module 2

Theoretical lessons are followed up by applied activities (reading, listening and viewing) and completed with analysis, student feedback and discussions

Assessment methods

Module 1

Attenders:

Written exam concerning course contents plus an evaluation of the interactive activities during the course.

Non-attenders:

Written exam based on the textbook Simpson P., Mayr A. & Statham S. (2018) (2nd ed.) Language and Power. A Resource book for students, London: Routledge.

Oral exam based on the contents of two 'threads' chosen by the student from the textbook Simpson P., Mayr A. & Statham S. (2018) (2nd ed.) Language and Power. A Resource book for students , London: Routledge (e.g. 'thread' 5 includes the chapters A5 B5 C5 D5, 'thread' 8 includes A8, B8 C8 D8).

Module 2

An oral skills evaluation will be drawn during the course, and a written exam will be held after course completion.

Students that do not follow the lessons will do a written exam. These students are asked to communicate their “non-Attending status” at the start of the course in order to receive detailed information on the topic of discussion to prepare.

 

English for Specific Purposes 2 – language classes: 33% of the overall course mark

Exam (esercitazioni)

For all students, the written exam will consist of a 500-word compare-contrast essay on two poems/songs on the theme of war/civil rights. All material is contained in the course handout (dispensa). The written exam lasts 120 minutes and is held once per exam session. Students have to pass the exam before being able to register their overall final mark on almaesami. The essay will be assessed at the C2 level of the Common European Framework from various aspects: appropriateness of argumentation relating to the topic; presentation (layout, spelling, punctuation); structure/organization (application of academic writing criteria, cohesion/coherence), and lexicogrammatical and discursive accuracy of the standard academic English required.

 

Nb: the final mark for ESP2 requires passing Module 1, Module 2 and the language practice exam.

The mark for Module 1 and Module 2 makes up 66.6% of the overall course mark.

Teaching tools

Authentic texts in English, Internet, Powerpoint

Office hours

See the website of Jane Helen Johnson

See the website of Antonietta Iacoviello