Practical Language Classes (Esercitazioni) - English
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the practical language classes is the acquisition and development of written, oral, and interactive skills. Learning objectives depend on the level of the course, i.e. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year, and rely upon the Common European Framework of Reference for languages. Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR). Practical language classes are non-credit bearing and complement the course.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes are strictly related to the learning objectives for each single year (BA 1st, 2nd, 3rd year; MA 1st, 2nd year). For every year of the course, the students are expected to be competent in the four skills, i.e. writing, reading, listening and speaking. The entrance level is stated in the 'Prerequisites for admission' section. The expected outcomes can be found in the Syllabus. Self-study and homework are essential to develop and consolidate the specific learning outcomes.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Group 1A
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Language practice classes are based on a linguistic syllabus that aims to develop communicative skills at the B2 level through the following activities:
1. Listening and comprehension of speeches of a certain length concerning familiar and general topics as well as current events.
2. Reading and comprehension of articles on current issues and short contemporary narrative texts.
3. Oral production and interaction on daily and general topics, as well as related to listening or reading texts and films.
4. Writing of short texts of descriptive-narrative, expository, and argumentative nature.
The contents related to each teaching unit will be specified by each instructor and made available on the Ariel website of the course. The course program is valid until February 2027.
1. Listening and comprehension of speeches of a certain length concerning familiar and general topics as well as current events.
2. Reading and comprehension of articles on current issues and short contemporary narrative texts.
3. Oral production and interaction on daily and general topics, as well as related to listening or reading texts and films.
4. Writing of short texts of descriptive-narrative, expository, and argumentative nature.
The contents related to each teaching unit will be specified by each instructor and made available on the Ariel website of the course. The course program is valid until February 2027.
Prerequisites for admission
This course is addressed to first year BA students who have passed the English entrance test. Classes are held in English. Course materials and the reading list require an intermediate level (B1, CEFR). The level to be achieved is Upper intermediate (B2, CEFR).
Teaching methods
Practical language classes are aimed at the development of communicative skills and involve group and pair work activities.
Teaching Resources
Language practice classes (Esercitazioni): teaching and learning materials are provided by each instructor on the course website.
The course has a website on the online platform Ariel, which can be accessed at https://ariel.unimi.it/ This website provides lecture slides and additional teaching and self-study material:
Reading List:
- ENGLISH FILE DIGITAL GOLD 4th Edition - B2 level
- Brambilla, Ocampo, Pedrazzini. A guide to paragraph writing (PDF on MyAriel)
The study program for non-attending students is the same as for attending students. However, due to the greater difficulties resulting from independent preparation, non-attending students are advised to give a sufficient amount of time to studying and processing the contents outlined in the program.
The course has a website on the online platform Ariel, which can be accessed at https://ariel.unimi.it/ This website provides lecture slides and additional teaching and self-study material:
Reading List:
- ENGLISH FILE DIGITAL GOLD 4th Edition - B2 level
- Brambilla, Ocampo, Pedrazzini. A guide to paragraph writing (PDF on MyAriel)
The study program for non-attending students is the same as for attending students. However, due to the greater difficulties resulting from independent preparation, non-attending students are advised to give a sufficient amount of time to studying and processing the contents outlined in the program.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two types of assessment: written and oral, which are both compulsory and evaluated on a scale of thirty. The final grade will take into account the results of both types of assessment.
WRITTEN EXAM (only three sessions: May, September, January). The exam is divided up into the following sections: A. Listening: a 10-minute audio file (interview, documentary or debate) followed by 10 closed-ended questions (multiple choice, matching) and 10 open-ended questions; B. Reading: an original text of about 900 words followed by 15 between multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions concerning content and lexis; C. Writing: writing of a short paragraph of about 150 words whose title deals with the topic of the Reading passage. D. Use of Englis: multiple choice cloze (20 gaps, 250 words).
ORAL EXAM: oral presentation and discussion on 3 films and 10 short stories, based on materials provided during the practical language classes (esercitazioni linguistiche). The choice of film and story will be made by the examiner.
Students with a B2 level certificate or higher will be exempt from attending and taking exams for the language practice classes. All other students will be able to attend their alphabetical group and will have to take the written and oral language proficiency assessments for the language practice classes."
For students attending classes regularly, mid-term assessment is available.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The final grade of the exam is on a thirty-point scale and will be calculated as follows: 50% is given by the grades in the tests related to the main course (corso monografico); 50% is given by the grades in the language assessment tests (accertamento linguistico) or the grade of the language certificate. Students have the option to refuse a positive grade, but must retake the whole exam.
International students or Erasmus students are kindly suggested to contact their lecturers. Students who have special needs (DSA) should contact the University Support Office and inform the course lecturers about their special needs.
WRITTEN EXAM (only three sessions: May, September, January). The exam is divided up into the following sections: A. Listening: a 10-minute audio file (interview, documentary or debate) followed by 10 closed-ended questions (multiple choice, matching) and 10 open-ended questions; B. Reading: an original text of about 900 words followed by 15 between multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions concerning content and lexis; C. Writing: writing of a short paragraph of about 150 words whose title deals with the topic of the Reading passage. D. Use of Englis: multiple choice cloze (20 gaps, 250 words).
ORAL EXAM: oral presentation and discussion on 3 films and 10 short stories, based on materials provided during the practical language classes (esercitazioni linguistiche). The choice of film and story will be made by the examiner.
Students with a B2 level certificate or higher will be exempt from attending and taking exams for the language practice classes. All other students will be able to attend their alphabetical group and will have to take the written and oral language proficiency assessments for the language practice classes."
For students attending classes regularly, mid-term assessment is available.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The final grade of the exam is on a thirty-point scale and will be calculated as follows: 50% is given by the grades in the tests related to the main course (corso monografico); 50% is given by the grades in the language assessment tests (accertamento linguistico) or the grade of the language certificate. Students have the option to refuse a positive grade, but must retake the whole exam.
International students or Erasmus students are kindly suggested to contact their lecturers. Students who have special needs (DSA) should contact the University Support Office and inform the course lecturers about their special needs.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH
Language exercises: 80 hours
Professor:
Featherstone Alina Tanya
Group 1B
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Same syllabus as the alphabetical group 1A.
Prerequisites for admission
Same prerequisites as those for the alphabetical group 1A
Teaching methods
Same teaching methods as those for the alphabetical group 1A.
Teaching Resources
Same reading list and study materials as those for the alphabetical group 1A
Assessment methods and Criteria
Same assessment methods and criteria as those for the alphabetical group 1A.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH
Language exercises: 80 hours
Professor:
Caldarone Giulia
Group 1C
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Same syllabus as the alphabetical group 1A.
Prerequisites for admission
Same prerequisites as those for the alphabetical group 1A
Teaching methods
Same teaching methods as those for the alphabetical group 1A.
Teaching Resources
Same reading list and study materials as those for the alphabetical group 1A
Assessment methods and Criteria
Same assessment methods and criteria as those for the alphabetical group 1A.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH
Language exercises: 80 hours
Professor:
Caldarone Giulia
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)