BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Students will develop awareness of the features of Standard English and its use in both written and spoken contexts, with insights offered from pragmatic, functional, and contrastive perspectives (official course disciplinary objective). Furthermore, in line with the goals set by the Degree Programme, students will refine their communicative, expressive, and argumentative skills in English at the B1 level (i.e., their instrumental competence in the four language skills – see also the ad hoc language activities offered by the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo: https://cla.unibg.it/it).
Course Prerequisites
As indicated in the Course Prospectus, students wishing to take this course must have taken the Placemnt test (https://lt-llsm.unibg.it/it/iscriversi/placement-test) and have an A2 level of language competence. Students whose language level is below A2 can participate in remedial activities offered during the academic year (visit the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo webpage: https://cla.unibg.it/it).
Teaching Methods
Classes will consist of lectures, in which students are expected to take an active role by discussing the content presented and suggesting ways to engage with it.
Students also have access to applied language activities (AAL) at B1 level, as well as tutoring support (further information on these activities is available on the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo webpage: https://cla.unibg.it/it).
Assessment Methods
Written test + oral exam
The written test and the oral exam may be taken only at the end of the course. In order to take the oral exam, students will have to pass the written test.
The written test is a 30+15 minute computerized test and assesses instrumental skills (those practiced through the AAL / language activities). The first part (30 minutes) tests listening, reading, and use of English skills. The second part (15 minutes) focuses on translation skills (lexis and morpho-syntax) through multiple-choice and cloze-type exercises. The result of the computerized test (pass/fail) will be communicated to students within 1–2 days after the test date.
The oral exam consists in two interrelated parts:
- testing of the students’ linguistic and communicative skills (i.e. via the translation of short sentences, Italian-English)
- discussion (in English) of the contents of the course (see reference texts in Leganto): questions are designed to assess the student’s understanding of course contents (notions, principles, models, strategies and their use in practical contexts).
The grading will be based on 1) linguistic accuracy and correctness, 2) clarity and coherence, and 3) command of course content (in terms of precision and completeness).
Assessment Grid (out of 30):
- Excellent (30 e lode): Thorough and autonomous command of the content; all aspects of the programme are fully understood and applied with precision. No errors.
- Very Good (30–27): Solid and well-articulated understanding of the material; content is correctly applied, with only minor and occasional inaccuracies that do not compromise overall performance.
- Good (26–24): Generally competent understanding and application of the course content, though with some inaccuracies or imprecise use of terminology. Errors are not serious or systematic.
- Sufficient (23–18): Basic grasp of the core course content, with evident weaknesses and limited depth of understanding. Errors are present and noticeable, even when they do not fully compromise communication or comprehension.
- Insufficient (<18): Inadequate understanding or preparation; serious gaps in comprehension and application of key concepts. Frequent or repeated errors prevent a successful outcome.
Contents
Following a general introduction to the formal, functional, and pragmatic aspects of the English language, the course aims to illustrate the implicit conditions (constraints and expectations) that shape various communicative contexts (situational, cultural, and interpersonal), as well as the main discourse strategies used to enhance clarity of information, communicative effectiveness, and persuasion in interaction with interlocutors, particularly in applied and operative settings.
Online Resources
More information
The list of texts for the oral exam (which are essential for exam preparation, both for attending and non-attending students) is available in this syllabus under the section “Online Resources – Leganto – Exam Texts.”
Should the course be taught as a blended or online activity, some adjustments (with respect to what stated in the syllabus) may be necessary – and will be indicated on the course page – in order to make the course and the exams more easily accessible.
Relevant information about practice sessions (AAL) - i.e. syllabus, course books, etc. - may be found on the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo webpage: https://cla.unibg.it/it -> Attività di apprendimento linguistico.
Students with a B1 certificate should present it to the Segreteria Studenti in order to get the exemption from parts of the exam, as indicated on the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo webpage (further information can be found in the relevant section, here https://cla.unibg.it/it). Before the exam, it is the student’s responsibility to verify the validity or expiration of their certification and its recognition, according to the guidelines published on the Centro Linguistico d’Ateneo website.