ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Academic Year 2022/2023 - 1° YearExpected Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will reach B1+ level within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages across all four skills: spoken interaction and production, listening, reading and writing. The course focuses on the grammar of English (b1+) and on the morphology, syntax, phonetics of the English language. In particular, in line with the objectives of the five-year degree course of Architecture, the aim of this course is to introduce students to the English for Architecture and provide them with the lexis related to this specific field.
Course Structure
The course takes up 48 hours and is divided into two parts:
General English
English for Architecture
The language is studied in authentic contexts in order to make students acquainted with the ESP vocabulary in their specific field. Students are actively involved in pair and group works and use different material taken from a variety of sources (specialised texts, audiovisual, electronic sources…) to improve their abilities and to learn in a meaningful context.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Detailed Course Content
General English: present, past and future tenses of regular and irregular verbs; modals and phrasal verbs; mixed conditionals; connecting words expressing cause and effect, contrast etc.; broader range of intensifiers; double possessive; possessives; prepositional phrases (place, time, movement); writing and answering an e-mail, writing a cv.
English for Architecture: the language of architecture; architectural topical glossary; the design process: an analysis of formal and spatial characteristics of the design process; building renovation; recovery and restoration of historical buildings. Dal testo English for Architecture (2016): Public housing, Le Corbusier and the Unitè d’Habitation; Rem Koolhaas/HOMA The Prada Epicenter in New York; F.L. Wright’s Fallingwater – the problem and the repair procedures.
Textbook Information
- M. Foley, D. Hall, My Grammar Lab Intermediate with Key and MyLab Pack, 9781408299159, Pearson Longman, last edition;
- S. Elliott, A. Thomas, Cambridge English Official Compact PET, Cambridge University Press, last edition;
- C. Cawthra English for Architecture, Cafoscarina Eds, 2016;
- M. Masvidal, English for Architecture & Construction, MMa Ed., 2015;
- P. Bulletti, Inglese per l'Architettura/English for Architecture - Dizionario italiano-inglese e viceversa, Tecniche Nuove Ed., last edition.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elements of general phonetics: identification and description of consonant and vowel sounds. Video “Why do you study architecture?” – Royal Institute of British Architects. | 3. |
| 2 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities) | 1. 2. |
| 3 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities).English for Architecture: the design process: an analysis of formal and spatial characteristics of the design process. | 1. 2. 3. |
| 4 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities). English for Architecture: brutalist buildings: Unité d'Habitation by Le Corbusier. Ville Savoye as a box in the air. Video: The five points of a new architecture. | 1. 2. 3. |
| 5 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities). English for Architecture: A conversation with Odile Decq. Tgere is a gap between yesterday and tomorrow. Being an architect: yesterday, today and beyond. | 1. 2. + Materiale fornito dalla docente |
| 6 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities) English for Architecture: building renovation vs building restoration vs building remodelling. | 1. 2. + Materiale fornito dalla docente |
| 7 | Reading, writing and listening activities B1+ level (Cambridge certification exam activities). English for Architecture: when buildings blend nature. Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture. Wright’s Fallingwater: the problem and the repair procedures. Video: Wright’s iconic Fallingwater House | 1. 2. 3. + Materiale fornito dalla docente |