31150 - English Language and Linguistics 2 (A-L)

Learning outcomes

During this course, students will be given specialised knowledge in one of the several linguistic approaches to the English language, with particular reference to interpersonal communication and grammatical metaphor. During the year, students will learn to perform linguistic analyses of a variety of original texts in English. Students will learn skills in the English language equivalent to level B2+ in all abilities according the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course contents

Lezioni frontali (Lectures)

The lezioni frontali are taught in a five-week module during the second semester for a total of 30 hours teaching (6 hours per week). For the timetable see the link in this guida didattica. This module deals with English Linguistics and in particular the following aspects:

- Lexical, conceptual and grammatical metaphor;

- Modality

- Modality orientation and point of view

- Communicative interaction and engagement, with particular attention to strategies to express opinions and make evaluations

The content of this module is connected to that of the esercitazioni pratiche as it aims to raise students’ linguistic awareness in line with their knowledge of the language. For this purpose, this module concentrates on selected grammatical, lexical and syntactical structures of the English language. The explanation of linguistic theories always goes hand in hand with exercises in critical reading of authentic English texts taken from newspapers, magazines and internet sites as well as literary works. Textual typologies include written and multimodal examples.

The lezioni frontali for this module are taught by Prof. Aragrande Gaia

Esercitazioni pratiche (language classes)

Esercitazioni are taught throughout the whole academic year, comprising two semesters. There are two classes per week. The aim of the esercitazioni is to help students work towards a C1 level of the CEFR. During classes students will have the opportunity to practise all four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Given the practical and applied nature of the esercitazioni, students are strongly advised to attend classes.

To ensure manageable class sizes, students will be divided into groups based on their mark in the esercitazioni first year exam. Specific information will be available on virtuale at the beginning of the academic year.

Esercitazioni are taught by qualified mother-tongue English teachers. Second-year groups will be taught by three different teachers. For general information, students should refer to the convenor for the esercitazioni, Dr. Catherine Blundell.

Readings/Bibliography

Lezioni frontali

All the material uploaded on to the virtuale site for this course is compulsory. Material includes PPTs explaining theories, lexical banks and practical exercises with solutions. The PPTs contain theories taken from various

linguistics textbook and studies, while texts for exercises are been carefully selected to stimulate targeted critical discussions and familiarize students with the exam questions.

Students are advised to study the following textbook with reference to the parts indicated below:

THOMPSON, G. (2014). Introducing Functional Grammar. Third Edition. London: Routledge (Capitoli su Interpersonal Metafunction (pp. 45-88) e Metaphor (pp. 233-252) . This book is in the library and accessible at the following link  https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/lib/unibo/detail.action?docID=131900

It provides further material to integrate the content of the PPT

Students that wish to deepen their knowledge of selected parts of the course can read the following:

LAKOFF G. and M. JOHNSON (1980). Metaphors We Live By. pp. 124-128. It can be found at https://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2013/cs7601_spring/papers/Lakoff_Johnson.pdf

This article is useful to know more about the conceptual metaphor

CHARTERIS-BLACK J. (2011). Politicians and Rhetoric. The persuasive Power of Metaphor (solo la parte citata nel PPT). It can be found in the Department Library. It contains explanations and examples on the use of lexical and conceptual metaphor in political discourse

Esercitazioni pratiche

The following textbook is compulsory for all students of all groups:

Speakout C1/C2, Third Edition, ed. Pearson.

We strongly recommend that you buy both parts of the book before starting lessons

Student Book ISBN CODE 978-1-292-40749-4 (€30 circa)

Workbook ISBN CODE 978-1-292-40739-5 (€15 circa)

Teaching methods

Lezioni frontali

With the aim of encouraging class discussion on aspects of the English language, the traditional lecture format will be integrated with guided debates, exercises and group work. For details see PPT "Welcome and Presentation" on Virtuale

Esercitazioni pratiche

Both group and individual exercises on all four linguistic abilities (i.e. speaking, listening, reading and writing)

Assessment methods

General information: structure of the exam, calculation of the final mark and time frame

Exams for this course include the following: a written exam for lezioni frontali and a written exam and an oral exam (called Speaking Ability Test or SAT) for esercitazioni pratiche. Each exam generates a partial mark. The final mark is an average of all the partial marks and it is calculated as follows: the mark of the esercitazioni pratiche written exams is multiplied by two, added to the SAT result and divided by three. This is added to the lezioni frontali result and divided by two.

Since a.y. 2014-2015, partial marks are valid for four sessions. Since a.y. 2017-2018, students can refuse the final mark but not partial marks. Exams are offered regularly: written exams are offered once per session (normally in January, May and September); SATs are offered twice per session, before and after the written exam for the esercitazioni. Students can take the SAT only after they have passed the esercitazioni written exam. Students who study English as a third language can decide to sit the SAT or not. It is not compulsory to sit all three exams in the same session, but it is necessary to pass all of them to register the final mark. To register for partial exams and have the final mark recorded, students should add their name to the corresponding lists in Alma Esami

Information for Erasmus Students: Erasmus students who plan to stay in Bologna for one semester only are strongly advised to contact Prof. Turci at the beginning of the academic year.

Lezioni frontali

A quiz test consisting of 31 items, including multiple choice, true and false, fill in the gaps and open questions This quiz tests knowledge of linguistics theories explained in class and recorded in the material uploaded on Virtuale, as well as students’ ability to apply this knowledge to textual analysis. Texts used in the quiz are opinion articles taken from the anglophone press. The quiz lasts 55 minutes. Students enrolled in this module can take the quiz in May 2026 and during following exam sessions.

PLEASE NOTE: Students whose surname starts with a letter between A and L can sit the quiz in May 2026 and all the following exam sessions.

Calculation of mark: 1 point for each correct answer. Wrong and missed answers = 0 point.

For detailed information see PPT "Welcome and Presentation".

See Virtuale for a facsimile with answer keys.

Esercitazioni pratiche

The esercitazioni exam is made up of the following two parts:

1. A written exam aimed at testing students’ analytical competences and use of the English language up to a C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This written exam includes the following sections: (a) Use of English (45 minutes), (b) Reading (45 minutes) and (c) Writing (60 minutes). The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained in the three sections; however, passing the Use of English paper is an essential condition of passing the written exam. The text types used are general interest and popular science articles (including newspaper articles, reviews and interviews)

2. A Speaking Ability Test (SAT), which tests students’ listening and speaking skills, and their capacity to communicate fluently and effectively in English, with a good command of grammar and a wide vocabulary, on a variety of general topics, including complex ones. It lasts approximately 10 minutes. A facsimile of the SAT is available on Virtuale.

Teaching tools

Power Point Presentations, audio-visual devices for listening comprehension exercises and group work

DSA students are strongly advised to get in touch with the University support team at the following address https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it and with Prof. Turci or Prof. Aragrande.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/gaia.aragrande2

Office hours

See the website of Gaia Aragrande