English
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Although no propaedeutic skills are required, at least a pre-intermediate level (A2.2) is recommended to follow the course profitably.
Assessment is through a written examination at the end of the course. The test will aim to assess the student's ability to understand the information contained in a science text. In addition, the test is intended to test the student's ability to use the language in specific contexts of use. The test is approved or not approved by the lecturer and does not involve a grade.
The course aims to explore the characteristics of academic discourse with particular reference to Academic English for Science.
During the lectures, the topics proposed by the textbook will be covered. This will lead to the development of useful communication skills which are useful for the ability to understand the characteristics of scientific text, consult databases, find information on the web, read and understand bibliographical material.
Articles dealing with biology in scientific and professional fields will be studied in order to develop the ability to learn the specific features of scientific discourse.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the content of a scientific article from an international journal and will acquire the basic skills to communicate their findings in English, both in written and oral form.
The lectures will be divided into two modules: the first (30 percent of total amount of time) focusing on the study of English with a review of some particularly important structures and constructions in science, and the second (70 percent of the total amount of time) on the use of English in scientific discourse.
Richards, G. and J. Willis (2015), English for Biological Sciences, Reading, Garnet Education.
Articles will be made available.
Grammar textbook (highly recommended): Minardi S., Jones S. Go Live!, De Agostini.
- Interactive lessons;
- To foster the development of receptive skills:
(a) reading of specialized scientific articles; linguistic analysis of texts.
(b) listening to and comprehension of science-related material;
- language use exercises.
The teacher can be emailed (silvia.minardi@uninsubria.it) or an online meeting can be requested for specific reasons.