Scheda insegnamento

Prerequisiti

Minimum required level of English language proficiency: B1 (CEFR).

Obiettivi formativi - Risultati di apprendimento attesi

The main aim of this course is to introduce students to the critical study of the English language and to provide an overview of the main levels of linguistic analysis and metalinguistic reflection. The course provides students with both practical and theoretical tools for examining linguistic and cultural phenomena related to English and its global distribution. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand and discuss the history of English

• Outline the history of English from its origins to its global spread.
• Identify and discuss the historical and social factors that contributed to the emergence of English as a Lingua Franca.

2. Explore varieties of English

• Identify and analyse different varieties of English (World Englishes) across the Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles.
• Discuss the concept of English as a Lingua Franca and its implications for English language teaching, cultural identity, and communication.

3. Develop critical awareness

• Critically evaluate linguistic ideologies and stereotypes, as well as the notions of Standard English and the native speaker.
• Examine the intersections between language, power, and culture through case studies, including postcolonial literatures and endangered languages.

4. Engage with English in the media and global culture

• Analyse the role of English in global media, including film, music, and social media.
• Reflect on how English influences, and is influenced by, its use in cultural products.

5. Develop practical skills through the application of theoretical knowledge

• Participate in listening, speaking, and critical analysis activities that foster awareness of accent variation and phonetic differences.
• Conduct and present small-scale research projects in English, such as analyses of their own linguistic autobiographies or of the linguistic landscape of Perugia.

6. Consolidate previously acquired grammatical and linguistic structures of English up to a level broadly corresponding to B2 of the CEFR

• Practise personal writing and self-correction as tools for autonomous learning.
• Strengthen practical language skills in comprehension and production, including Reading Comprehension, Listening, and Speaking.

Contenuto del corso

The course consists of two components: a language and grammar module (lettorato), focusing on the development of B2-level linguistic competence (taught by Prof. Clare Collins), and a monographic module (cattedra), focusing on theoretical and metalinguistic reflection on the English language (taught by Prof. Marco Bagli).

Language and Grammar Module (20 hours)

The grammar and language-use component is taught by Prof. Clare Collins and aims to help students achieve a level of linguistic competence broadly corresponding to B2 level of the CEFR. Topics covered include those typically associated with the B2 level, such as:

• Present Perfect (simple and continuous)
• Conditionals
• Passive constructions
• Reported Speech

In addition, the course familiarises students with assessment tasks commonly associated with the B2 level, including:

• Use of English and Word Formation
• Reading and Comprehension
• Writing
• Listening and Note-taking

For further information, students are advised to consult the LOL page of the Language and Grammar Module.

Monographic Module (40 hours)

The monographic component explores the global role of English as a complex and constantly evolving lingua franca. It examines the historical, cultural, and linguistic dimensions of English, tracing its development from its medieval origins to its current status as a global language.

Through lectures, interactive activities, and class discussions, students will critically engage with the cultural legacy of the Anglosphere, the spread of English through literature and the media, and its implications for globalisation, identity, and communication. Students will also engage in guided autonomous learning through small-scale research projects, investigating linguistic and cultural aspects of English and applying theoretical concepts to real-world contexts. By the end of the course, students will have developed an in-depth understanding of the global role of English, enhanced critical-thinking skills concerning language and culture, and practical insights into the dynamics of English across a range of contexts. The use of practical projects and the emphasis on autonomous learning will support the development of both linguistic competence and critical thinking, encouraging students to apply theoretical concepts to everyday experiences in both individual and social contexts. Additional materials will be made available by the instructor through LOL. These resources are intended primarily to provide further insight into topics covered in class and to serve as reference materials for the discussion of issues and perspectives addressed during the course.

As part of the course's emphasis on autonomous learning and critical inquiry, students attending the course are encouraged to develop and present a small-scale research project at the end of the semester. Presentations offer an opportunity to explore a course-related topic in greater depth, develop research and communication skills, and contribute to the collective learning experience of the class. Students wishing to give a presentation are expected to discuss their proposed topic with the instructor during office hours (ricevimento). In order to allow adequate supervision and feedback, students must register their intention to present and agree on a topic with the instructor no later than 30 April.

Possible presentation topics include:

1. An in-depth study of a particular aspect of the history of the English language.
2. An in-depth study of a particular aspect of World Englishes.
3. A presentation of the student's linguistic autobiography.
4. English in the linguistic landscape of Perugia (or another city to be agreed upon with the instructor).
5. An in-depth study of a particular aspect of the role of English in global culture.
6. An in-depth study of a particular aspect of linguistic prejudice and/or linguistic prestige.

Metodi didattici

Teaching for both modules will be delivered in person. Although attendance is not compulsory, regular attendance is strongly recommended.

Language and Grammar Module

Attending Students

The module is taught in English and consists of explanations and practice activities focusing on the grammatical structures listed above (Present Perfect Simple and Continuous, Conditionals, Passive Constructions, and Reported Speech), together with the development of the skills required to successfully complete a B2-level examination. Active participation in English is expected, and activities may include individual work, pair work, and small-group tasks. All course materials will be made available on the LOL platform.

Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students are strongly advised to contact Prof. Clare Collins (clare.collins@unistrapg.it) as early as possible in order to discuss appropriate preparation for the written examination.

Monographic Module

Attending Students

Teaching activities, conducted primarily in English, consist of lectures, discussions, exercises, and group work on the topics covered during the course. The instructor will seek to make classes as interactive and participatory as possible. For this reason, regular attendance is strongly encouraged, and active participation in discussions and classroom activities is expected.

In addition to the required course text (see Reference Texts below), the instructor will provide supplementary materials and classroom activities through the LOL e-learning platform.

The opportunity to deliver a presentation at the end of the course is reserved exclusively for attending students.

Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students will be required to supplement the course materials with an additional textbook, specified below in the section Reference Texts.

Metodi di accertamento

Assessment

The exam consists of two components: a written examination and an oral examination. The written exam assesses students' level of English-language proficiency, with particular reference to the content covered in the Language and Grammar Module. Specifically, the exam evaluates Reading Comprehension, Listening, and Use of English skills at B2 level. Exam dates correspond to the dates listed as Esame Scritto (Parziale) in the official examination timetable. The oral exam corresponds to the Monographic Module and focuses on the topics and issues addressed during the course. The final mark is calculated as a weighted average of the two components, with the written examination accounting for 30% of the final grade and the oral examination accounting for 70%.

Students holding a valid language certification at B2 level or above (see Additional Information below) may be exempted from the written examination. However, the relevant documentation must be submitted to Prof. Clare Collins before the date of the written examination in order to be validated and converted into a mark out of 30. Students are required to arrange an appointment by contacting clare.collins@unistrapg.it.

Students may not take the oral exam unless they have successfully completed the written examination or submitted equivalent approved documentation.

Online registration is compulsory for all examinations. Students who register for an examination session but subsequently decide not to attend are kindly requested to withdraw their registration through the Esse3Web system before the examination date.

Students with a Specific Learning Disorder (DSA) whose documentation has been deposited with the Student Administration Office may request appropriate accommodations and/or adjustments. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in order to adapt the examination procedures to individual needs. Students are therefore advised to contact the instructor well in advance, either directly or through the University's Committee for Differences and Inclusion at differenze-inclusione@unistrapg.it.

Testi di esame

Reference Texts

The required reading for both attending and non-attending students is as follows:

Language and Grammar Module

• May, Peter (2021). Compact First Student’s Book. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Monographic Module

• Crystal, David (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Additional readings and supplementary materials will be made available by the instructor through the LOL platform. These materials form an integral part of the examination syllabus.

In addition to the texts listed above, non-attending students are required to compensate for non-attendance by studying the following text:

• Piller, Ingrid (2011). Intercultural Communication. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Testi di consultazione e approfondimento

For both attending and non-attending students, regular consultation of the LOL page is essential. The platform will be used to provide additional readings, resources, and study materials, including websites, audiovisual materials, and other supplementary content relevant to the course.

Students who wish to explore the course topics in greater depth may also consult the following texts.

For the Language and Grammar Module

• Murphy, Raymond (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Brook-Hart, Guy, Alice Copello, et al. (2021). Complete First. Student's Book with Answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

For the Monographic Module

• Piller, Ingrid (2011). Intercultural Communication: A Critical Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Nelson, Cecil L., Zoya G. Proshina, and Daniel R. Davis (eds.) (2020). The Handbook of World Englishes (2nd edition). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.
• Taronna, Annarita (2022). Digital English as a Lingua Franca: Shaping New Models through Question and Answer Websites. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Seidlhofer, Barbara (2011). Understanding English as a Lingua Franca. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Crystal, David (2002). The English Language: A Guided Tour of the Language. London: Penguin.
• van Gelderen, Elly (2014). A History of the English Language. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Altre informazioni

Contact Information

For enquiries concerning the Language and Grammar Module, students should contact Prof. Clare Collins at clare.collins@unistrapg.it.

For enquiries concerning the Monographic Module or the organisation of the course as a whole, students should contact Prof. Marco Bagli. The instructor is available during office hours by appointment, to be arranged via email, and can be contacted at marco.bagli@unistrapg.it.

Validity of Language Certifications

Only international language certifications that assess all four language skills (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking) are accepted for exemption from the written examination component of the course.

For the academic year 2026–2027, the following certifications are recognised:

• Cambridge English Qualifications
• Oxford Test of English
• TOEFL
• IELTS

Language certifications must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the examination date. For the academic year 2026–2027, only certifications obtained from 2024 onwards will be accepted.