42211 - English 1

Learning outcomes

Understanding ideas from complex written and oral texts concerning concrete and abstract topics, especially in the field of academic disciplines. Developing an ability to express oneself as appropriately and as naturally as possible in the English language. Identifying types of writing, formal and informal, academic, argumentative, opinionated, scientific, rhetorical etc.

Course contents

Students are expected to have studied English for at least five years at secondary school level. We will revise and study intermediate English grammar (B1-B2), with the aim of reaching the next upper intermediate level (C1). Reading of various text genres, literary and academic to enhance a critical understanding and appreciation of the works. Students will be expected to take an active part in the classes, to explain the authors' thinking and provide their own opinions. The reading passages will be highly varied, for example, the results of scientific research, reviews of art exhibitions, of films, psychology studies, works of literature, historical events etc. Contemporary issues of interest will also be examined.   

Readings/Bibliography

Grammar and comprehension exercises along the lines of First Certificate di Cambridge/IELTS academic module.

Also, for the oral test, an in-depth reading of the following two books:

"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri (1999)

"The Speckled People" by Hugo Hamilton (2003)

The two above-cited texts are core texts, but one of them may be replaced, for the oral test, by just ONE of the following:

"Ask the Dust" by John Fante (1939)

"Fahrenheit 451"  by Ray Bradbury (1953)

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding (1954)

"Wisdom of the Ancients - Life Lessons from our Distant Past" by Neil Oliver (2020). Five chapters out of twelve. (In this case, advise the lecturer of your choice of chapters at least 10 days before the oral exam). 

Ten essays from "A History of the World in 100 Objects" by Neil MacGregor (2010) (In this case, advise the lecturer of your choice of essays at least 10 days before the oral exam)

"Sapiens. A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari (2015) Parts One, Two and Three)

"The Evolution Man" by Roy Lewis (1960)

"Watching the English. The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour" by Kate Fox (2004)

"Naples '44. A World War II. Diary of Occupied Italy" by Norman Lewis (1978)

Teaching methods

Lessons encouraging student feedback. Translation between L1 and L2 may be used as a teaching/learning tool. Attention will be paid to convergences/divergences between Italian and English. Handouts, slides, audio and video clips will be used. Students will be encouraged to take notes in order to sum up and express contents and concepts. Facts will be distinguished from opinions. Students will read aloud, there will be listening exercises and exchanges of opinions. English will be used as the prevalent means of expression. Good pronunciation and grammatical and lexical accuracy will be encouraged. 

Assessment methods

The exam consists of two distinct parts:

Written Test (paper-based, bring a pen): A text containing 30 questions: 15 multiple choice grammar items (four alternatives per question) and 15 word formation items. Time available: 45 minutes. No dictionaries or other aids allowed. Minimum pass is 18 out of 30 to be admitted to the oral. The mark remains valid for 12 months, by which time the student must have taken the oral test. If not, the written mark will expire and will have to be retaken, regardless of the mark obtained.

Oral test:

Reading aloud and translation, textual analysis, literary appreciation, contextualisation, thoughts, comments and analysis of the following two books:

"Interpreter of Maladies" di Jhumpa Lahiri (1999) (all the nine stories)

"The Speckled People" di Hugo Hamilton (2003) (whole novel, not the theatre adaptation or abridged versions for schools).

The student may choose to substitute ONE of the two texts above with ONE chosen from the books listed in the Readings/Bibliography section. The student will be required to have the book in paper format (not e-book) in order to take the oral test.

Teaching tools

All materials will be delivered via computer, so there will be no paper handouts. Materials will be uploaded onto Teams (Files section), in the Teaching Materials on my own Home Page, or in the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Henry Monaco