ENGLISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIORGIA MICHELA SORTINOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to develop the four fundamental language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) as outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, corresponding to level B1. Therefore, students will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to identify, recognize, and comprehend the main grammatical and lexical structures of the English language, regardless of their initial language proficiency, with a particular focus on the microlinguistic aspects related to the professional field.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge by transforming theoretical input into confident use and clear expression of the main morphosyntactic structures of English, as well as vocabulary pertaining to the microlinguistic register of the professional domain.
3. Making judgements
Through the acquired knowledge, students will develop individual critical thinking skills based on reflections and educational materials provided for the acquisition of linguistic knowledge relevant to the disciplinary and professional sector.
4. Communication skills
Students will enhance their ability to express themselves and their ideas in English by acquiring adequate communicative and interactive competence through the comprehension and analysis of thematic texts.
5. Learning skills
Students will develop the learning skills they need to go on with their university career, both in terms of contents and in terms of methods.
Course Structure
The course consists of 28 hours of lecture (3 CFU), including practical activities, which will include both a component aimed to further study and consolidation of English grammar and a more specific part focusing on the application of English within the relevant disciplinary field and professional context.
Should the course be delivered in a blended or fully online format, the necessary adjustments may be made to the arrangements described above in order to ensure compliance with the programme outlined in the Syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
SECTION A
Nouns & more:
- Countable/uncountable nouns
- Quantifiers
- Adverb of frequency
- Indefinite pronouns and adjectives
- Question tags and question words
Verbs:
- modal verbs: primary auxiliary verbs and modal verbs
- present tenses: present simple; present continuous → use and formation.
- past tenses: past simple; past continuous; present perfect; present perfect continuous; → use and formation.
- future tenses: future simple (will); present continuous with future actions; be going to; future continuous; → use and formation.
- conditionals: zero conditional; first conditional; second conditional;
SECTION B
Introduction to Environmental Sustainability → key concepts and definitions: sustainability, anthropocene and anthropic activities, climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity loss, territory vs landscape.
Introduction to Landscape Architecture → what is landscape architecture? What is sustainable landscape architecture and its principles?
Introduction to Urban Planning → what is urban planning? What is sustainable urban planning and its principles?
Urban Regeneration and Urban Resilience → definitions and principles.
Textbook Information
1. Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge, 5th edition
2. Il Ragazzini Inglese-Italiano/ Italiano - Inglese. Ultima edizione, ed. Zanichelli
3. Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press.
4. Teaching materials provided by the lecturer.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond Murphy | English Grammar in Use | Cambridge | 5th edition | |
| Il Ragazzini Inglese/Italiano - Italiano/Inglese | Zanichelli | Ultima edizione, ed. | ||
| Oxford English Dictionary | Oxford University Press |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
- A written examination will be administered to assess both the grammatical and lexical competences acquired in Module A and the students’ understanding of the topics covered in Module B.
- An optional oral mid-course assessment may be offered, consisting of a group PowerPoint presentation on topics covered in Module B. The assessment may be arranged in agreement with the students and may be taken upon regular attendance of the classes. Students who successfully complete the mid-course assessment will not be examined, during the final examination, on the portion of the syllabus covered by the mid-course assessment.
- Students who do not attend classes are required to take the full examination, consisting of a written test and an oral examination.
The assessment follows this scheme:
Unsuitable
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: insufficient. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.
Use of references: completely inappropriate.
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: at the threshold level. Trivial imperfections.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: sufficient skills.
Use of references: as appropriate.
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: routine knowledge.
Analysis and synthesis skills: capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently.
Use of references: use standard references.
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge.
Analysis and synthesis skills: has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently.
Use of references: use standard references.
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: has appreciable abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: has explored the topics.
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: has considerable abilities in analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: significant insights.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Section A:
Grammar exercises on the topic covered during classes.
Section B:
1) What is the difference between territory and landscape?
2) How is sustainability applied in land and landscape management?
3) What makes a city resilient?
4) What is the difference between hardscape and softscape?