English 1
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at first-year BA students who have passed the entrance test. It consists of lectures (Corso Monografico) and practical language classes (Esercitazioni). Corso Monografico offers a broad, general overview of English linguistics, in particular it focuses upon phonetics/phonology, morphology and lexis, and syntax. Esercitazioni aim to develop students' receptive and productive skills in English, both oral and written, at B2 level.
Expected learning outcomes
Corso monografico: at the end of Corso Monografico, students will have acquired the ability to identify the sounds that make up English words, their internal structure, as well as the structure of sentences. In particular, with regard to phonology, they will be able to produce English sounds and explain how they are articulated, to read and produce phonemic transcriptions based on the IPA, to identify the processes that occur in connected speech, to distinguish between the RP and GA accents. They will also be able to identify the morphemes that make up words, both in terms of derivative and flexible morphology, and they will be able to draw a distinction between the various multi-word units (fixed formulas, collocations, idioms). At the sentence level, they will be able to identify the various types of phrases (nominal, verbal, prepositional, etc.), and detect the different types of clauses. Esercitazioni: students will consolidate the ability to understand and use English at an intermediate to advanced level in relation to the following activities: listening to and understanding extensive speeches on familiar, general and topical subjects; reading and understanding articles on topical issues and short contemporary narrative texts; interacting orally on everyday and general subjects and on texts (listened to or read) and films; writing short descriptive and expository texts.
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Group 1A-Surname A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The main course ("An introduction to the structure of English") consists of three teaching units:
A. An introduction to phonetics and phonology (prof. Caterina Pavesi)
B. An introduction to morphology and lexis (prof. Eleonora Ravizza)
C. Phrases, clauses and sentences: form and function (prof. Laura Pinnavaia).
The contents related to each teaching unit will be specified by each lecturer and made available on the Ariel website of the course. The course program is valid until February 2028.
ESERCITAZIONI (see dedicated programme)
A. An introduction to phonetics and phonology (prof. Caterina Pavesi)
B. An introduction to morphology and lexis (prof. Eleonora Ravizza)
C. Phrases, clauses and sentences: form and function (prof. Laura Pinnavaia).
The contents related to each teaching unit will be specified by each lecturer and made available on the Ariel website of the course. The course program is valid until February 2028.
ESERCITAZIONI (see dedicated programme)
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
The main course is mainly delivered through interactive lectures. The course is complemented with practical language classes which involve group and pair work activities.
Teaching Resources
Main course (Corso Monografico)
- Ballard, K. 2022. The Frameworks of English Language. 4th Edition. London: Bloomsbury. (compulsory)
- Pinnavaia, L. 2015. Introduzione alla Linguistica Inglese, Roma, Carocci (compulsory)
- Carley, P., I.M. Mees & B. Collins. 2017. English Phonetics and Pronunciation Practice. London: Routledge (optional).
Language practice classes (Esercitazioni): see dedicated programme
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 materials.
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.
- Ballard, K. 2022. The Frameworks of English Language. 4th Edition. London: Bloomsbury. (compulsory)
- Pinnavaia, L. 2015. Introduzione alla Linguistica Inglese, Roma, Carocci (compulsory)
- Carley, P., I.M. Mees & B. Collins. 2017. English Phonetics and Pronunciation Practice. London: Routledge (optional).
Language practice classes (Esercitazioni): see dedicated programme
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 materials.
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; Use of English ; Writing (see Esercitazioni programme for details).
ORAL EXAM: the oral exam consists of two parts:1) Oral language skills (Accertamento linguistico): 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. 2) Main course (corso monografico): it involves a computerized test aimed at assessing knowledge related to the three didactic units of phonology, morphology/lexicon, and grammar/syntax. This test is held at every oral exam.
Anyone holding a B2 certificate or higher (2024-2026) is exempt from attending classes and from the final exam for the ORAL component, but NOT from the WRITTEN component. 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 and will include: computerized test on each of the three teaching units of phonology, morphology, and syntax, and on oral language skills (accertamento linguistico).
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 are advised not to turn down a positive mark, as only the most recent mark obtained will count.
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; Use of English ; Writing (see Esercitazioni programme for details).
ORAL EXAM: the oral exam consists of two parts:1) Oral language skills (Accertamento linguistico): 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. 2) Main course (corso monografico): it involves a computerized test aimed at assessing knowledge related to the three didactic units of phonology, morphology/lexicon, and grammar/syntax. This test is held at every oral exam.
Anyone holding a B2 certificate or higher (2024-2026) is exempt from attending classes and from the final exam for the ORAL component, but NOT from the WRITTEN component. 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 and will include: computerized test on each of the three teaching units of phonology, morphology, and syntax, and on oral language skills (accertamento linguistico).
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 are advised not to turn down a positive mark, as only the most recent mark obtained will count.
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.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Pinnavaia Laura, Ravizza Eleonora Natalia
Part C
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Group 1B (L-Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
see the information for group 1A
Prerequisites for admission
see the information for group 1A
Teaching methods
see the information for group 1A
Teaching Resources
see the information for group 1A
Assessment methods and Criteria
see the information for group 1A
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Pinnavaia Laura, Ravizza Eleonora Natalia
Part C
ANGL-01/C - English Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)