B2531 - Written and Oral Communication in English (Second Language) I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to understand and produce complex written texts in English; they possess sufficient linguistic competence to handle complex communicative situations.

Course contents

The lessons will take place during the first semester (at the Forlì Campus) and will be conducted in the format of lectures, but active participation by the students will be strongly encouraged.

The module will focus on written communication and will include the following topics:

- Different forms of written communication (genres and objectives)
- Creative writing
- Understanding audience/readership and purpose
- Adapting content for different audiences (simplified language)
- How to communicate professionally about ourselves (LINKEDIN, cover letter, CV)
- Argumentative writing

• Planning and organizing writing
• Crafting effective paragraphs
• Writing with clarity and precision
• Paraphrasing
• Research and citation skills
• Editing and proofreading
  

This module is taught only at the Forlì Campus.

Readings/Bibliography

A specific bibliography and a reader will be provided during the course and will be published on the module’s Virtuale.

Teaching methods

All the lessons are lectures and encourage students to actively and critically participate in all planned activities. Additionally, there is an attendance requirement of 70%.

Lessons will utilize methods and tools aimed at creating opportunities for discussion, reading, and writing in lectures, language and computer lab sessions, and oral argumentation (debates). The module adopts an approach based on interaction between the lecturer and students, group work, and the development of critical skills. The materials used in class include academic articles, newspaper articles, and audiovisual material.

Assessment methods

The final exam for the module will consist of a written test that will consit of an individual argumentative essay (between 1200 and 1500 words) and a simplified version for another audience similar to the one developed in class. The questions will be published on Virtuale, with submission also done via Virtuale.

The final mark is calculated by averaging the grade obtained in the written test (in the first semester) with the grade from the oral test (in the second semester).

Learning Assessment Scale

30-30L

• Written test: Excellent performance demonstrating outstanding argumentation and content organization skills, complete mastery of the language and the culture of study, and excellent writing ability.
• Oral test: Excellent performance demonstrating a thorough understanding and presentation of the cultural notions and content covered in the course; excellent critical sense.

27-29

• Written test: Above-average performance, with minor errors or compensated by more than sufficient demonstration of the required knowledge and language, writing, and argumentation skills.
• Oral test: Precise and comprehensive knowledge of the content, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, strong analytical and synthetic skills, confident and correct presentation.

24-26

• Written test: Valid performance but with some evident errors indicating partial acquisition of the required knowledge and skills, as well as the required language, writing, and argumentation skills.
• Oral test: Appropriate knowledge of the content, decent ability to apply theoretical concepts, well-structured presentation of content, but with some issues concerning exposition and critical ability.

21-23

• Written test: Sufficient performance but with noticeable limitations in the knowledge and skills to be acquired and inaccuracies in form and content. Weak argumentation or overly descriptive text.
• Oral test: Sufficient performance but with noticeable limitations in the acquisition and presentation of the cultural notions and content covered in the course; demonstrates limited critical ability.

18-20

• Written test: Performance that only meets the minimum criteria for knowledge and skills to be acquired.
• Oral test: Barely sufficient performance that meets the minimum criteria; numerous knowledge and skills still need to be acquired. Sufficient but general content knowledge, simple presentation, uncertainties in applying theoretical concepts.

FAIL

• Written test: Basic knowledge has not been achieved, the exam must be retaken.
• Oral test: Fragmented and superficial knowledge of the content, errors in applying concepts, inadequate presentation.

Teaching tools

Language laboratory, web sites, electronic resources. The printed/audiovisual material used will gradually increase in difficulty and become more specific. Assignments and activities will be carried out both in class and at home.

All printed and audiovisual material used in class, as well as resources for the specific topics tackled in class will be made available on the module's Virtuale (the access key will be provided during the first lesson).

Office hours

See the website of Rachele Antonini