B1860 - ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC WRITING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING (M-Z)

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

At the end of the course the student can understand the main ideas of complex written and oral texts in the academic field of social and political sciences. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity and can express and negotiate viewpoints . Can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Contenuti

The course is aimed at developing advanced academic writing skills and public speaking skills through real-world international topics. Writing and oral communication strategies are discussed using authentic materials on a range of international relations topics, such as migration, cultural diversity, international history, human rights, environmental and climate issues, cooperation and public opinion, society and well-being, global health, digital surveillance, and global trade.

By the end of this course, students will:

• Enhance academic writing skills (argumentation, structure, referencing);
• Improve public speaking fluency, clarity, and rhetorical strategies;
• Analyze and respond critically to texts on international relations topics;
• Develop the ability to engage with complex global topics using Academic English.

The writing module includes practice in:

• Essay and report writing: planning, paragraphing, cohesion and coherence, concise expression, summarizing and paraphrasing, describing data and trends.
• Research and referencing: identifying credible sources, incorporating citations, and applying referencing conventions (e.g APA/MLA).
• Academic register and style: tone, clarity, and grammatical accuracy in academic contexts.
• Grammar in context: focus on advanced structures relevant to academic writing (e.g., hedging, nominalization, passive constructions).

The oral speaking/communication lab, conducted in small groups to encourage individual participation and peer feedback, focuses on:

• Short presentations, academic discussions, and structured negotiations.
• Functional language for public speaking: signposting, comparing viewpoints, and persuading.
• Delivery skills: voice control, pacing, clarity, and audience engagement.

Testi/Bibliografia

A dossier containing texts to be analyzed during the course is made available online (Virtuale) at the start of the course.

Useful material for practicing writing skills at an advanced academic level in English:

• Bailey, Stephen. Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. 3rd ed., with Answers, Routledge, 2011.
• de Chazal, Edward, and John Hughes. Oxford EAP: A Course in English for Academic Purposes – Advanced C1. Oxford University Press, 2015.
• Manninen, Satu, Ellen Turner, and Cecilia Wadsö-Lecaros. 2020. Writing in English at University: A Guide for Second Language Writers. Vol. 120. Lund Studies in English. Lund: Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University. https://www.coursera.org/learn/writing-english-university .
• Wallwork, Adrian. 2024. English for Academic Research: Grammar Exercises. Boston, MA: Springer US. https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/book/10.1007/978-3-031-53171-2
• Wallwork, Adrian. 2024 English for Academic Research: Vocabulary Exercises. Boston, MA: Springer US. https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/book/10.1007/978-3-031-31072-0
• Wallwork, Adrian. 2024. English for Academic Research: Writing Exercises. Boston, MA: Springer US. https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/book/10.1007/978-3-031-53174-3

Metodi didattici

The academic writing component includes theoretical input, model analysis, and guided practice (in-class and individual assignments).

Public speaking activities take place in a lab setting and include interactive tasks designed to build fluency, confidence, and communication strategies in spoken English.

Emphasis is also placed on collaborative learning and peer feedback.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged due to the practical, skills-based nature of the course.

Attending Students

• Written Exam: In-class (week 10) essay/report (450–600 words, 90 minutes) based on one of the course topics and source material provided.
• Oral Assessment: Evaluation based on:
  • Class participation and listening/interaction skills.
  • A short discussion on an article selected and prepared by the student (chosen from a list of provided macro topics).

Final Grade: Average of writing and speaking components, graded out of 30.

Non-Attending Students

• Written Exam: Essay/Report (450–600 words, 90 minutes), taken during an official exam session, based on course topics and source material provided.
• Oral Assessment: Students must present and discuss:
• 
  
  • A short monograph (of their own choice from the reading list A
  • 2 articles from the reading list B

  NOTE: The update list of books/articles will be made available before the start of the secon term

  Assessment criteria

  Formal/linguistic aspects (language skills)

  • 15 points: excellent language skills
  • 10-12 points: good/very good language skills
  • 9 points: sufficient language skills
  • 0-8 points: inadequate/seriously deficient language skills

  Content-related aspects (competencies and skills related to the subject matter of the modules)

  • 15 points: excellent subject-related competencies and capacities
  • 10-12 points: good/very good subject-related competencies and capacities
  • 9 points: sufficient subject-related competencies and capacities
  • 0-8 points: inadequate/seriously deficient subject-related competencies and capacities
  
  Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact the University service for students with disabilities and SLD  at the earliest opportunity -- ideally before the start of the course. The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Audio/video materials

Slides are used for lectures and subsequently made available to the students via the Virtual platform, in pdf format.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Cinzia Bevitori