95416 - English Language Exercises (Lm) - Lmcp

Learning outcomes

This class focuses on the specifics for developing and formatting formal Academic Essays in English. Students will learn to identify and apply the key content, techniques, and strategies required in crafting a strong essay. Regular English language instruction and application will be in line with the formal vocabulary and grammar required in academic essay writing. Therefore, advanced level grammar and language structures as well as a heavy emphasis on word choice will be taught and applied regularly in class and as homework.

Course contents

While the Academic Essay structure is similar in all essays, it varies slightly from type to type and is quite different in style and structure than that of the traditional Italian written essay. Although we will learn about various types of essays, we will focus mostly on essays under the umbrella of informational and argumentative essays.

Students will be able to locate, replicate, and improve upon specific aspects of structure and language usage. Advanced level grammar that coincides with the writing styles will be presented, practiced, and integrated into the various essays that students will be writing regularly during class and as homework. Extra, related grammar exercises will be offered as optional homework for students who find they need more practice.

The English style and structure of writing is quite different from Italian, and through analysis and practice, students will develop the skills and strategies for writing a strong essay in English. Being reflective and thoughtful about the word choice and style in which one is writing along with regular practice, self-analysis and peer review are an important part of developing these skills and improving one’s own writing. Attending and non-attending students should be doing this regularly since developing writing skills is not something that one can just study for. Lessons build upon each other, and students should keep up with the lessons and homework if they are not able to attend a class. Learning comes through regular practice and critical review. To support this process, specific checklists that coincide with the assessment criteria will be provided regularly to students. Students will be encouraged to highlight related points, using this checklist, to help monitor and develop a better understanding of their own writing strengths and weaknesses. These tools are the key to ensuring a well written essay.

Readings/Bibliography

Students will use Virtuale to access links for the classroom slides, which will come available just prior to the class. We will not be using a traditional textbook. Instead, there will be links to essay examples, instructional materials, and in-class activities for attending and non-attending students. Therefore, students need to come to class with a computer or tablet to be able to participate effectively. It is highly recommended that non-attending students read and analyze these texts using the parameters indicated on the slides. A downloadable grammar book will also be available during the course for practice and reinforcement.

Teaching methods

The focus of this course is developing stronger English writing skills. Classes will break down the elements necessary to develop a strong Academic Essay. In each class, lessons will focus on a specific element of essays through structural analysis, writing implementation, and grammar exercises or written work. Students apply what they are learning individually, in partners/small groups, or as a whole class on a shared document. All work will be done online, and it is imperative for students to come with a computer or tablet so that they can effectively participate in the class activities and receive the necessary feedback from the professor and classmates. Additionally, regular practice and peer review is an important part of this process and students should come prepared with completed homework so that they can participate in this process.

Non attending students should follow the slides and do the work on their own, making sure to read the written examples that students submitted during class, as well as the teacher feedback, on the shared documents (accessible via the hyperlinks) during the class.

All students, attending or not, should complete the suggested homework so that they may receive teacher feedback on their written work by the deadlines. This is especially important for those students who do not attend class since they are not receiving the same critiques or feedback in person.

Lessons build upon each other, and it is imperative that students study the class slides that they missed before attending the following class.

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an academic essay, which will take place in person and be submitted via EOL. This course is worth 1/3 (10 points) of your final grade in conjunction with Professor Crea’s class­ which is the remaining 2/3 (20 points). Students must have a score of at least 6/10 on the exam to pass this course. Students will be assessed on their ability to affectively write an academic essay in English and implement the necessary structural pieces learned in class. Students will receive a prompt, with a well-known topic and a couple of options for the exam format they wish to write. The exam will be 1 ½ hours in which students will type approximately 500 words. There will be no penalty for word count as this is just a guideline. Exam preparation guidelines, which will provide more information about the exam, a checklist of necessary items, and a more detailed account of the assessment criteria and point allotment, will be posted on Virtuale closer to the exam date.

Teaching tools

Students who have special needs should notify the professor to work out a plan for modifications and/or accessibility to content and tools needed to be successful in the class.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Crea