The aim of the course, which focuses on scientific English, is to bring students to a full B1 level as described in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR); to develop their ability to understand scientific English in its written and spoken forms; to familiarize students with the particular lexicogrammatical and stylistic characteristics that define scientific English, with a special focus on the scientific report and the distinguishing features of its various sections. Attaining at least a B1 level of proficiency in English is essential for students wishing to pursue their studies or to work in the field of science.

The following grammar topics will be explored during the course in roughly the same order as they appear here: review of verb tenses: present simple vs. present continuous, past simple vs. present perfect; countable/uncountable nouns and quantifiers; the comparative and superlative; modal verbs for deductions; relative pronouns; definite and indefinite articles; the gerund and infinitive; the passive form; linkers/transition signals.

The above-mentioned grammar topics will be explored further and reinforced through the reading and analyses of scientific articles as well as science-related listening activities (videos/podcasts). In addition, the following topics related to scientific English will be examined in roughly the same order as they appear here: the linguistic features that distinguish scientific English: nominal groups, the passive form, specialized lexis and register; the scientific report and the expressions and verb forms that characterize its various sections  (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion); structures/expressions used to express possibility/probability and to hypothesize; problem structures and collocations commonly used in scientific texts; common verb/preposition and noun/preposition combinations in scientific English.

Students attending the course are expected to have already mastered the general language skills that are described in the CEFR for the A2 level.

The student will have a command of B1 level grammar (CEFR).

The student will have the ability to understand written an oral scientific English at a B1 level (CEFR).

The student will be familiar with the general lexicogrammatical features of scientific English and those that distinguish the various sections of a scientific report.

The student will have a working knowledge of key lexis and structures commonly used in scientific English.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material  (PowerPoint slides; practice exercises; mock exams and links for articles, podcasts, video and grammar practice) and specific communications can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

- Lectures and classroom activities; reading and analysis of technical articles in various scientific fields; PowerPoint presentations; grammar exercises; listening comprehension activities with science-related videos/podcasts, linguistic analysis and comprehension questions.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory.

Course books

The course materials, links for articles, videos and podcasts and special announcements from the instructor are available on the Moodle platform blended.uniurb.it .

Assessment

Written exam with listening comprehension (60 total questions). The exam will be taken at the computer stations at the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo:

. Listening comprehension: 6 multiple choice questions;

- Reading comprehension: 15 questions (10-11 multiple choice; 4-5 matching); 

- Grammar and scientific English: 12 multiple choice questions;

- General grammar: 27 completion exercises.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The syllabus and course materials are the same for both attending and non-attending students. Students who do not attend the course must refer to the course materials that are uploaded onto the ‘Blended Learning’ platform on a weekly basis.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory.

Course books

The course materials, links for articles, videos and podcasts and special announcements from the instructor are available on the Moodle platform blended.uniurb.it .

Assessment

Written exam with listening comprehension (60 total questions). The exam will be taken at the computer stations at the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo:

. Listening comprehension: 6 multiple choice questions;

- Reading comprehension: 15 questions (10-11 multiple choice; 4-5 matching); 

- Grammar and scientific English: 12 multiple choice questions;

- General grammar: 27 completion exercises.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.