English Ii
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
This is a second-year, two-semester course which can only be accessed once the first year English language course has been completed. The aim of the course is to further students' knowledge of the basic structures of the English language with special reference to phraseology and clause syntax, and to develop both theoretical and communicative competences in Business English, with a focus on interlinguistic and intercultural aspects of communication. Students will learn to approach different types of business texts and analyze them. They will also learn to critically assess the communicative coordinates of intercultural communicative events, and to select the communicative strategies most suited to them in light of the principles learnt during the course.
The course builds on the competences developed in the first-year English language course (B2 level of the CEFR). A working knowledge of Italian is also required. The exit level is set at B2 plus of the CEFR, with special reference to the domain of business communication.
The course builds on the competences developed in the first-year English language course (B2 level of the CEFR). A working knowledge of Italian is also required. The exit level is set at B2 plus of the CEFR, with special reference to the domain of business communication.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have reached at least B2 plus level competences in English and will be able to deal with a range of communicative tasks in the domain of business. They will have mastered the principles of intercultural communication, which they will be able to apply to the communicative situations they encounter in a variety of professional domains within the broader field of business.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
year
All lessons and language practice sessions are in presence at the Sesto campus.
Course syllabus
Unit 1: "From words to clauses: an introduction to syntax".
From words to phrases: formal and functional categories. The principle of embedding. Analysis and description of clause constituents. Clause types. Verbs and verb complementation. Word order. Aspects of contrastive syntax. Practical applications (language consolidation, sample translations).
Unit 2: "Discourse practices in intercultural professional communication".
This teaching unit will be devoted to introducing the concept of LSP with a special focus on socially-mediated discursive practices in professional settings and intercultural interaction. Cross- and inter-cultural aspects of professional communication will then be applied to the discourse of business negotiation. Students will develop linguistic and theoretical competences suited to communicating effectively in multicultural business settings.
Unit 3: "Introduction to intercultural pragmatics" This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and by comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural pragmatics, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
From words to phrases: formal and functional categories. The principle of embedding. Analysis and description of clause constituents. Clause types. Verbs and verb complementation. Word order. Aspects of contrastive syntax. Practical applications (language consolidation, sample translations).
Unit 2: "Discourse practices in intercultural professional communication".
This teaching unit will be devoted to introducing the concept of LSP with a special focus on socially-mediated discursive practices in professional settings and intercultural interaction. Cross- and inter-cultural aspects of professional communication will then be applied to the discourse of business negotiation. Students will develop linguistic and theoretical competences suited to communicating effectively in multicultural business settings.
Unit 3: "Introduction to intercultural pragmatics" This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and by comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural pragmatics, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must complete the first year English language course in order to be admitted to this course.
Teaching methods
The language of instruction is English. A working knowledge of Italian is required to perform simple translation tasks.
The course is lecture-based and divided into three teaching units.
Language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") are scheduled in addition to the teaching units (see official timetable). Students are strongly advised to attend them.
Language practice sessions aim to improve students' general language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) as well as develop specific skills in the area of business, with a special focus on business writing and interaction (business negotiation). Sight translation practice sessions are also scheduled (second term only). Speaking practice sessions will also be organized in the second term.
Students who attend classes regularly may have their competences assessed through ongoing assessment. Further information will be provided during the practice sessions.
The course is lecture-based and divided into three teaching units.
Language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") are scheduled in addition to the teaching units (see official timetable). Students are strongly advised to attend them.
Language practice sessions aim to improve students' general language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) as well as develop specific skills in the area of business, with a special focus on business writing and interaction (business negotiation). Sight translation practice sessions are also scheduled (second term only). Speaking practice sessions will also be organized in the second term.
Students who attend classes regularly may have their competences assessed through ongoing assessment. Further information will be provided during the practice sessions.
Teaching Resources
Unit 1
Ballard, Kim 2022. The Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, London, Bloomsbury. ISBN:9781352013078. (fourth edition) Chapters 2, 5, 6 and 7.
Unit 2
Spencer-Oatey, Helen and Franklin, Peter (2009). Intercultural Interaction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Intercultural Communication, Basingstoke and New York, Palgrave Macmillan.
Unit 3
· Kecskes, Istvan. 2014. Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics
· Course slides, which will be uploaded to Ariel
During lectures additional materials will be provided for classroom use and personal study for the three teaching units. All additional materials will be made available on the course website.
In the language practice sessions the following books will be used:
Coursebook:
Brook-Hart, Guy Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate Student's Book 2nd Edition, CUP, 2013 ISBN 9781107680982
Grammar practice:
Emmerson, Paul. Business Grammar Builder 2nd Edition. Macmillan, 2010 ISBN 9780230732544
Ballard, Kim 2022. The Frameworks of English: Introducing Language Structures, London, Bloomsbury. ISBN:9781352013078. (fourth edition) Chapters 2, 5, 6 and 7.
Unit 2
Spencer-Oatey, Helen and Franklin, Peter (2009). Intercultural Interaction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Intercultural Communication, Basingstoke and New York, Palgrave Macmillan.
Unit 3
· Kecskes, Istvan. 2014. Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics
· Course slides, which will be uploaded to Ariel
During lectures additional materials will be provided for classroom use and personal study for the three teaching units. All additional materials will be made available on the course website.
In the language practice sessions the following books will be used:
Coursebook:
Brook-Hart, Guy Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate Student's Book 2nd Edition, CUP, 2013 ISBN 9781107680982
Grammar practice:
Emmerson, Paul. Business Grammar Builder 2nd Edition. Macmillan, 2010 ISBN 9780230732544
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is exam-based. Prior to sitting the final examination, students will have to successfully complete a written and an oral language test. It is necessary to pass the written language test to be able to sit the oral language test. Both tests must be completed before you sit the oral exam with the course subject professor. Written language testing typically takes place at the beginning of each exam period (May, September, January). The procedure is as follows:
1. sit and pass the language skills written test;
2. sign up for the oral exam; before you can sit it, you must show your language competence in the language skills oral test. Remember that you must sit the preliminary language skills oral test and the exam on the same day (you cannot split the two). Please note that you may already have obtained marks for the language skills oral test test and/or part of the final exam in the course of the academic year. If this is the case, you only need to complete the parts you have not yet obtained marks for.
Language skills written test
This written test is composed of two parts:
a. use of English (no dictionary allowed): gapfill exercises (for a total of 30 gaps) testing grammar and vocabulary (general & business English) at B2+ level. Gapfill tasks may be cloze tests, multiple choice, sentence completion, vocabulary extension etc. Examples will be provided and posted on the course website. This part of the exam may be administered in electronic format. (30 minutes)
b. business translation (monolingual dictionary only): translation from Italian into English of a short business text (100-120 words) (e-mail, memo, short factual report, formal correspondence) (45 minutes)
Students who speak Italian as a second language may use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Language skills oral test
Students will participate in a simulated oral interaction task on a business-related topic. Assessment will be based on command of the language and will evaluate correctness of structure and vocabulary, general intelligibility (adequacy of pronunciation and intonation patterns), fluency and authenticity/idiomaticity (B2 plus level). Students may obtain a mark for this part of the assessment during language practice sessions (interim assessment). Students who have not been assessed during language practice sessions will have to take the language skills oral test on the same day as they sit the oral exam with the course subject professor.
Only students who have successfully passed both the written and the oral language skills tests will be able to sit the final exam.
Final exam
The final exam will consist in an oral exam with the course subject professors, who will award the final mark. Students will have to prove that they have mastered the concepts covered during the course and can talk about them in an academically appropriate manner. They must be prepared to discuss theoretical principles with reference to case studies discussed in class (which will be made available online for students unable to attend classes regularly). Students will also be tested on the technique of sight translation (oral translation from English into Italian of a few lines from a business-related text which has NOT been made available to students prior to the examination).
Part of the syllabus may be assessed through computer-based testing or in written form (closed questions). Interim tests may take place at the end of each unit. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
1. sit and pass the language skills written test;
2. sign up for the oral exam; before you can sit it, you must show your language competence in the language skills oral test. Remember that you must sit the preliminary language skills oral test and the exam on the same day (you cannot split the two). Please note that you may already have obtained marks for the language skills oral test test and/or part of the final exam in the course of the academic year. If this is the case, you only need to complete the parts you have not yet obtained marks for.
Language skills written test
This written test is composed of two parts:
a. use of English (no dictionary allowed): gapfill exercises (for a total of 30 gaps) testing grammar and vocabulary (general & business English) at B2+ level. Gapfill tasks may be cloze tests, multiple choice, sentence completion, vocabulary extension etc. Examples will be provided and posted on the course website. This part of the exam may be administered in electronic format. (30 minutes)
b. business translation (monolingual dictionary only): translation from Italian into English of a short business text (100-120 words) (e-mail, memo, short factual report, formal correspondence) (45 minutes)
Students who speak Italian as a second language may use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Language skills oral test
Students will participate in a simulated oral interaction task on a business-related topic. Assessment will be based on command of the language and will evaluate correctness of structure and vocabulary, general intelligibility (adequacy of pronunciation and intonation patterns), fluency and authenticity/idiomaticity (B2 plus level). Students may obtain a mark for this part of the assessment during language practice sessions (interim assessment). Students who have not been assessed during language practice sessions will have to take the language skills oral test on the same day as they sit the oral exam with the course subject professor.
Only students who have successfully passed both the written and the oral language skills tests will be able to sit the final exam.
Final exam
The final exam will consist in an oral exam with the course subject professors, who will award the final mark. Students will have to prove that they have mastered the concepts covered during the course and can talk about them in an academically appropriate manner. They must be prepared to discuss theoretical principles with reference to case studies discussed in class (which will be made available online for students unable to attend classes regularly). Students will also be tested on the technique of sight translation (oral translation from English into Italian of a few lines from a business-related text which has NOT been made available to students prior to the examination).
Part of the syllabus may be assessed through computer-based testing or in written form (closed questions). Interim tests may take place at the end of each unit. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Berti Lucia, Paganoni Maria Cristina
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
year
All lessons and language practice sessions are in presence at the Sesto campus.
Course syllabus
Unit 1: "From words to clauses: an introduction to syntax".
From words to phrases: formal and functional categories. The principle of embedding. Analysis and description of clause constituents. Clause types. Verbs and verb complementation. Word order. Aspects of contrastive syntax. Practical applications (language consolidation, sample translations).
Unit 2: "Discourse practices in intercultural professional communication".
This teaching unit will be devoted to introducing the concept of LSP with a special focus on socially-mediated discursive practices in professional settings and intercultural interaction. Cross- and inter-cultural aspects of professional communication will then be applied to the discourse of business negotiation. Students will develop linguistic and theoretical competences suited to communicating effectively in multicultural business settings.
Unit 3: "Introduction to intercultural pragmatics" This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and by comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural pragmatics, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
From words to phrases: formal and functional categories. The principle of embedding. Analysis and description of clause constituents. Clause types. Verbs and verb complementation. Word order. Aspects of contrastive syntax. Practical applications (language consolidation, sample translations).
Unit 2: "Discourse practices in intercultural professional communication".
This teaching unit will be devoted to introducing the concept of LSP with a special focus on socially-mediated discursive practices in professional settings and intercultural interaction. Cross- and inter-cultural aspects of professional communication will then be applied to the discourse of business negotiation. Students will develop linguistic and theoretical competences suited to communicating effectively in multicultural business settings.
Unit 3: "Introduction to intercultural pragmatics" This unit will introduce students to the field of pragmatics paying special attention to the cultural aspects that characterise daily English usage and by comparing the linguacultures of English-speaking countries and of Italy. The unit will provide students with theoretical knowledge in intercultural pragmatics, as well as allowing them to improve their linguistic and intercultural awareness, thus favouring more effective exchanges in multicultural contexts.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must complete the first year English language course in order to be admitted to this course.
Teaching methods
The language of instruction is English. A working knowledge of Italian is required to perform simple translation tasks.
The course is lecture-based and divided into three teaching units.
Language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") are scheduled in addition to the teaching units (see official timetable). Students are strongly advised to attend them.
Language practice sessions aim to improve students' general language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) as well as develop specific skills in the area of business, with a special focus on business writing and interaction (business negotiation). Sight translation practice sessions are also scheduled (second term only). Speaking practice sessions will also be organized in the second term.
Students who attend classes regularly may have their competences assessed through ongoing assessment. Further information will be provided during the practice sessions.
The course is lecture-based and divided into three teaching units.
Language practice sessions ("esercitazioni") are scheduled in addition to the teaching units (see official timetable). Students are strongly advised to attend them.
Language practice sessions aim to improve students' general language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) as well as develop specific skills in the area of business, with a special focus on business writing and interaction (business negotiation). Sight translation practice sessions are also scheduled (second term only). Speaking practice sessions will also be organized in the second term.
Students who attend classes regularly may have their competences assessed through ongoing assessment. Further information will be provided during the practice sessions.
Teaching Resources
Unit 1
Ballard, Kim 2022. Frameworks of English. Introducing Language Structures, London, Palgrave. ISBN: 9781352013078 (fourth edition) Chapters 2, 5, 6 and 7.
Unit 2
Spencer-Oatey, Helen and Franklin, Peter (2009). Intercultural Interaction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Intercultural Communication, Basingstoke and New York, Palgrave Macmillan.
Unit 3
· Kecskes, Istvan. 2014. Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics
· Course slides, which will be uploaded to Ariel
During lectures additional materials will be provided for classroom use and personal study for the three teaching units. All additional materials will be made available on the course website.
In the language practice sessions the following books will be used:
Coursebook:
Brook-Hart, Guy Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate Student's Book 2nd Edition, CUP, 2013 ISBN 9781107680982
Grammar practice:
Emmerson, Paul. Business Grammar Builder 2nd Edition. Macmillan, 2010 ISBN 9780230732544
Ballard, Kim 2022. Frameworks of English. Introducing Language Structures, London, Palgrave. ISBN: 9781352013078 (fourth edition) Chapters 2, 5, 6 and 7.
Unit 2
Spencer-Oatey, Helen and Franklin, Peter (2009). Intercultural Interaction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Intercultural Communication, Basingstoke and New York, Palgrave Macmillan.
Unit 3
· Kecskes, Istvan. 2014. Intercultural Pragmatics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Available online: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017506279706031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,intercultural%20pragmatics
· Course slides, which will be uploaded to Ariel
During lectures additional materials will be provided for classroom use and personal study for the three teaching units. All additional materials will be made available on the course website.
In the language practice sessions the following books will be used:
Coursebook:
Brook-Hart, Guy Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate Student's Book 2nd Edition, CUP, 2013 ISBN 9781107680982
Grammar practice:
Emmerson, Paul. Business Grammar Builder 2nd Edition. Macmillan, 2010 ISBN 9780230732544
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is exam-based. Prior to sitting the final examination, students will have to successfully complete a written and an oral language test. It is necessary to pass the written language test to be able to sit the oral language test. Both tests must be completed before you sit the oral exam with the course subject professor. Written language testing typically takes place at the beginning of each exam period (May, September, January). The procedure is as follows:
1. sit and pass the language skills written test;
2. sign up for the oral exam; before you can sit it, you must show your language competence in the language skills oral test. Remember that you must sit the preliminary language skills oral test and the exam on the same day (you cannot split the two). Please note that you may already have obtained marks for the language skills oral test test and/or part of the final exam in the course of the academic year. If this is the case, you only need to complete the parts you have not yet obtained marks for.
Language skills written test
This written test is composed of two parts:
a. use of English (no dictionary allowed): gapfill exercises (for a total of 30 gaps) testing grammar and vocabulary (general & business English) at B2+ level. Gapfill tasks may be cloze tests, multiple choice, sentence completion, vocabulary extension etc. Examples will be provided and posted on the course website. This part of the exam may be administered in electronic format. (30 minutes)
b. business translation (monolingual dictionary only): translation from Italian into English of a short business text (100-120 words) (e-mail, memo, short factual report, formal correspondence) (45 minutes)
Students who speak Italian as a second language may use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Language skills oral test
Students will participate in a simulated oral interaction task on a business-related topic. Assessment will be based on command of the language and will evaluate correctness of structure and vocabulary, general intelligibility (adequacy of pronunciation and intonation patterns), fluency and authenticity/idiomaticity (B2 plus level). Students may obtain a mark for this part of the assessment during language practice sessions (interim assessment). Students who have not been assessed during language practice sessions will have to take the language skills oral test on the same day as they sit the oral exam with the course subject professor.
Only students who have successfully passed both the written and the oral language skills tests will be able to sit the final exam.
Final exam
The final exam will consist in an oral exam with the course subject professors, who will award the final mark. Students will have to prove that they have mastered the concepts covered during the course and can talk about them in an academically appropriate manner. They must be prepared to discuss theoretical principles with reference to case studies discussed in class (which will be made available online for students unable to attend classes regularly). Students will also be tested on the technique of sight translation (oral translation from English into Italian of a few lines from a business-related text which has NOT been made available to students prior to the examination).
Part of the syllabus may be assessed through computer-based testing or in written form (closed questions). Interim tests may take place at the end of each unit. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
1. sit and pass the language skills written test;
2. sign up for the oral exam; before you can sit it, you must show your language competence in the language skills oral test. Remember that you must sit the preliminary language skills oral test and the exam on the same day (you cannot split the two). Please note that you may already have obtained marks for the language skills oral test test and/or part of the final exam in the course of the academic year. If this is the case, you only need to complete the parts you have not yet obtained marks for.
Language skills written test
This written test is composed of two parts:
a. use of English (no dictionary allowed): gapfill exercises (for a total of 30 gaps) testing grammar and vocabulary (general & business English) at B2+ level. Gapfill tasks may be cloze tests, multiple choice, sentence completion, vocabulary extension etc. Examples will be provided and posted on the course website. This part of the exam may be administered in electronic format. (30 minutes)
b. business translation (monolingual dictionary only): translation from Italian into English of a short business text (100-120 words) (e-mail, memo, short factual report, formal correspondence) (45 minutes)
Students who speak Italian as a second language may use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Language skills oral test
Students will participate in a simulated oral interaction task on a business-related topic. Assessment will be based on command of the language and will evaluate correctness of structure and vocabulary, general intelligibility (adequacy of pronunciation and intonation patterns), fluency and authenticity/idiomaticity (B2 plus level). Students may obtain a mark for this part of the assessment during language practice sessions (interim assessment). Students who have not been assessed during language practice sessions will have to take the language skills oral test on the same day as they sit the oral exam with the course subject professor.
Only students who have successfully passed both the written and the oral language skills tests will be able to sit the final exam.
Final exam
The final exam will consist in an oral exam with the course subject professors, who will award the final mark. Students will have to prove that they have mastered the concepts covered during the course and can talk about them in an academically appropriate manner. They must be prepared to discuss theoretical principles with reference to case studies discussed in class (which will be made available online for students unable to attend classes regularly). Students will also be tested on the technique of sight translation (oral translation from English into Italian of a few lines from a business-related text which has NOT been made available to students prior to the examination).
Part of the syllabus may be assessed through computer-based testing or in written form (closed questions). Interim tests may take place at the end of each unit. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Berti Lucia, Paganoni Maria Cristina
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday afternoon, by email appointment. Office hours on Tuesday, May 20 are canceled due to a professional commitment abroadsday May 20 is cancelled due to a professional commitment abroad.
Room 4013/Teams