47431 - English Language Lab 1 (E)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to demonstrate English language skills at the full “threshold” level of the CEFR (B1). They can understand the main points of familiar topics related to school, leisure, and personal interests, interact in English with ease without errors or misunderstandings in situations that may occur while traveling in English-speaking countries, and produce simple written texts on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Furthermore, they can express experiences and events, plans, hopes, and ambitions in English, and briefly explain the reasons for their opinions and desires.

Course contents

The common objective of the English Workshops for the first and second years is to consolidate students’ productive and receptive language skills in order to develop English competence that is both preparatory and functional for the content of the third, fourth, and fifth-year workshops, where the focus gradually shifts from language study to the study of approaches most suitable for teaching English. In the first- and second-year workshops, emphasis will therefore be placed on strengthening the Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills acquired prior to university-level study.

The first-year workshops, divided into eight groups, will all take place in the second semester of the current academic year. In addition to these eight groups, a ninth group is offered as a summer remedial workshop. No placement test is required, so each student may enroll in the group of their choice through AlmaEsami. It is not possible to change enrollment lists or split attendance between multiple groups; each student must attend exclusively the group in which they are enrolled. Students who wish to withdraw after enrollment are required to notify the instructor promptly.

Groups will be mixed in terms of level, but all will follow the same program and use the same textbook. The content of the textbook to be covered in class activities and individual study will be indicated by the instructor during the first lesson and will form the basis of the final exam. As with all English workshops, attendance for first-year workshops is mandatory and must be in person. The maximum number of permitted absences is 25% of the total hours, i.e., 8 hours out of 32. The first and last lessons are not compulsory but are strongly recommended, except in cases of serious emergency or unavoidable absence. The first lesson introduces the workshop program, including exam procedures, while the final lesson involves the mandatory evaluation questionnaire required for exam registration. Students who are absent for both the first and second meetings will be excluded from the remainder of the workshop.

If absences exceed the maximum allowed 8 hours, all missed hours must be made up during the summer remedial workshop. For example, 10 hours of absence (8 + 2) must be fully recovered. If absences reach half of the total hours (16 hours), the workshop must be entirely repeated.

For all information regarding the English Workshops, please refer to the dedicated webpage: https://corsi.unibo.it/magistralecu/ScienzeFormazionePrimaria/laboratori-di-lingua-inglese

 

Readings/Bibliography

The textbook for the first-year workshop will be announced by the instructor.

Teaching methods

The methods and techniques used may include reading and comprehension exercises in small groups, grammar review focused on form both individually and in small groups, listening practice with group exercises, student presentations of vocabulary, grammar, and video materials in a flipped classroom format, production of short texts, poems, and scripts based on the language presented in the textbook, Grammar-Drama activities (performing original scripts that illustrate grammar and pronunciation issues), songs, role-playing, videos, and collaborative or individual writing on paper and digital platforms such as Moodle, Padlet, and others.

Assessment methods

The final exam for the first-year workshops consists of a computer-based test (registration via AlmaEsami) at the B1/B1+ level, designed to assess language skills in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Students have 60 minutes to complete the test.

It is not possible to take the exam without registering on AlmaEsami. In case of any issues with the registration process, students should contact the Academic Office before the registration deadline. Once the registration lists are closed, no student can be added.

The exam is not graded on a 30-point scale; instead, it results in a pass/fail evaluation. Students who do not pass the exam may retake it during the immediately following session.

The pass status will be available on AlmaEsami as soon as the exam is recorded. No acceptance of the pass is required: once the exam is passed, it will be automatically recorded. Students wishing to obtain details about their performance on individual sections of the test should contact both of the following email addresses: licia.masoni@unibo.it and paolamaria.caleffi@unibo.it .

A link to a sample version of the first-year final exam is available. Once the link is clicked, students should scroll to the end of the page to the section titled “Facsimili iscritti SFP1 e SFP2” and then click on “SFP1 Exam Facsimile Quiz.” The access key for the quiz is: SFP1-fax (pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters). The password to open the quiz is provided in the test description.

Teaching tools

In addition to the textbook, students will work with presentations, audio clips, photos, online videos, Padlet or similar tools, and their own devices to complete assigned activities, contribute materials on shared platforms such as Moodle, and ask questions online.

Office hours

See the website of Tiziana Carta