The course aims to train the students’ language skills in English at the CEFR B2 level with a focus on reading and listening comprehension as well as on oral interaction. To this end, the lessons will include reading, listening, and speaking activities while developing and consolidating General English grammar and vocabulary competences. At the same time, the course will provide students with reading and listening skills, and basic specialized vocabulary (ESP - English for Special Purposes) in some of the main areas of medicine. Specific attention will be devoted to the analysis of the abstract as a domain-specific textual genre. Entry language skills: CEFR B1+ or higher.
CONTENT
ESP - ENGLISH FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES
Sub-fields of Science and Medicine, Abstracts
LANGUAGE AND FUNCTIONS
Verb tenses,
Modal verbs,
Passive forms,
Reported speech,
Linking words and conjunctions,
Dependent preposition.
TEXTBOOKS
Barbara Bettinelli, Paola Catenaccio, Karine Beatty, English for Medicine - Volume 2, Milano, Hoepli, 2006, ISBN 9788820332686
Texts, slides and any other material handed out by the Lecturer and/or made available for download on the e-learning university site.
OBJECTIVES
The learning objectives of the programme in Medicine include the development of B2+/C1 language skills in English with a focus on domain-specific vocabulary (ESP). At the end of the course, students will be expected to understand the main concepts of a discourse of a certain length and speed, and follow complex arguments; to understand narrative texts; to communicate in a sufficiently spontaneous and natural way so as to interact with native speakers; to express their opinions; to write clearly and articulately on a wide range of topics, including the specialized domain of Medicine.
Lectures will be integrated with communicative and task-based activities when needed. For this reason, the students’ active participation and interaction is crucial to attain the expected learning outcomes. Classes will be taught using traditional and multimedia (AV) materials as well as authentic (scientific) texts. Students are required to come to class with their coursebook and study material.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND SELF-ASSESSMENT
Students are expected to acquire language skills to be able to express themselves clearly and correctly in English in both general and specialized contexts. Students are also expected to develop adequate metalinguistic skills.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Students will be expected to understand the main gist of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics; to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible and without strain; to produce a clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue. Students will also be expected to apply these language skills to specialized communication in the scholarly and professional fields of Medicine.
EXAM
Written test.
TIMETABLE
THU 14-17
(AULA NPD)
- Teacher: Serenella Massidda