47431 - English Language Lab 1 (D)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• is able to demonstrate English language competence at full Threshold level of the CEFR (B1), that is:

• can understand the main points of familiar topics related to school, leisure, personal interests, etc.;

• can interact in English confidently and without errors or misunderstandings in situations that may arise while travelling in English-speaking countries;

• is able to produce a simple written text in English on topics that are familiar or of personal interest;

• is able to express in English experiences and events, plans, hopes and ambitions, and can briefly explain the reasons for their opinions and desires.

Course contents

The common goal of the English language labs in the first and second year is to consolidate students’ receptive and productive language skills, in order to promote English language competence that is both preparatory and functional for the content of the labs in the third, fourth, and fifth year. In those later years, the focus will gradually shift from language learning to the study of appropriate approaches for teaching English. In the first- and second-year labs, the emphasis will therefore be on reinforcing and strengthening the speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills acquired prior to university.

The first-year labs, divided into 8 groups, will all take place during the second semester of the current academic year. In addition to the 8 regular groups offered in the second semester, a ninth group will be added for the summer make-up lab.

There is no placement test. Therefore, each student may register for the group of their choice through AlmaEsami. Registration lists cannot be modified, nor may students divide their attendance between groups: each student must attend exclusively the group in which they are officially registered. Anyone who decides to withdraw from the lab after registering must notify the instructor promptly.

The groups will be mixed-level, but all groups will follow exactly the same programme, using the same textbook. The textbook content to be covered in class and for individual study will be specified by the instructor during the first lesson and will form the basis of the final exam.

As with all English language labs, attendance for first-year labs is strictly and exclusively in person. The maximum number of absences allowed is 25% of the total hours, i.e., 8 hours out of 32. While the first and last lesson are not mandatory, they are strongly recommended (except in cases of serious emergency or objective inability to attend). During the first lesson, the lab programme and exam procedures will be presented; during the last lesson, the mandatory course evaluation questionnaire required for exam registration will be completed. Students who are absent from both the first and second sessions will be excluded from the rest of the lab.

In the event of absences exceeding the maximum 8 hours allowed, ALL missed hours must be made up in the summer make-up lab. For example, if a student misses 8 + 2 hours, 10 hours must be made up. If absences total half of the total hours (i.e., 16 hours), the entire lab must be retaken.

For all information about the English language labs, please refer to the following page on the course website:
https://corsi.unibo.it/magistralecu/ScienzeFormazionePrimaria/laboratori-di-lingua-inglese

Readings/Bibliography

The textbook for the first-year language labs will be announced by the instructor before the beginning of classes.

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 lexical and grammatical material 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 plays, videos, collaborative and individual writing both on paper and on digital platforms such as Moodle, Padlet, etc.

Assessment methods

After attending the course, students will be required to take a written language exam on a computer in one of Unibo’s IT labs.

The exam will consist of a B1-level language test that includes:

• vocabulary exercises (naming objects, describing simple images, filling in blanks in a text, choosing the right words to describe a room, a school, a house, a natural landscape, an outdoor scene, etc.—all at B1 level, with approximately 20% of the content at B1+ level);

• a reading exercise (a short text with true/false/not given questions, word definitions, basic synonym recognition, inserting titles or sentences, etc.);

• a writing task.

The exam lasts 60 minutes.

A sample exam is available on this page.

In case of failure, students may retake the exam in consecutive sessions (i.e., there are no skipped sessions or rounds). Results will be sent by email by the instructors to each student, with detailed feedback on each part of the exam. Students are not required to formally accept the PASS result—the result will be recorded automatically.

To sit the exam, it is absolutely essential that students are registered on AlmaEsami. No exam may be taken without formal registration. In case of any issues with the registration process, students must contact the Teaching Office (Ufficio Didattico) before the registration deadline. Once registration lists are closed, no student can be added.

Teaching tools

In addition to the textbook, students will work with presentations, audio clips, photos, online videos, Virtuale, and their own devices to complete activities, contribute materials on shared platforms, or ask questions online.

Listening activities will be based on the textbook used in the first and second year or on recommended pedagogical texts and videos.

Links to further information

https://www.gazzaro.it/b/ProgrAzzaroCurrent.html#lab_primaria_I_anno

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Maldina