ENGLISH FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES

The course aims at consolidating and deepening students’ linguistic skills particularly concerning the morphological, syntactical and lexical aspects of language (B1+ level of the Common European Framework), the receptive and productive oral and written skills and the comment on specialized texts belonging to the fields of psychological studies.

Entry level: B1.

Achievement level: B1+.

Following on the Dublin Descriptors, the expected learning outcomes are the following:

Knowledge and understanding (DD1)

-          Knowledge of theories and translation models in the English linguistics

Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2)

-          Link the theoretical and methodological contents learned to the interpretation of specialized texts

-          Being able to research dictionaries and corpora through the use of technology

Making judgments (DD3)

- Being able to interpret and formulate the learning demand

Communication skills (DD4)

- Being able to talk, negotiate and argue using the specialized lexicon

- Being able to write texts of various genres.

Learning skills (DD5)

-          Being able to identify one’s learning needs

Lectures + Lab. 

B1 level of CEFR

It is important to underline that attendance, both in the laboratory activities and in the lectures, is

highly recommended, given the communicative language teaching approach.  It is also necessary to access the in-progress tests.

Morphological, syntactical and lexical analysis of different texts types; reading comprehension activities with a focus on the scientific lexicon of Education and particularly on the following topics:

- Industrial/Organizational Psychology ( Workplace stressors)

- Physiological Psychology (Friedman and Rosenman: Type A and heart disease)

- Psychoanalysis (Freud, Methods used in the Psychodynamic Approach)

- "Problem Column" in Teenagers Magazine

- Shyness

- Human Emotions

- Lexicology (Metaphors, Idioms, Semantic change).

By the end of the course students will be able to:

- Identify and properly use the grammatical and syntactical structures dealt with during lessons.

- Recognize and properly use the most frequently recurring elements of specialized lexicon.

- Read, translate and comment on texts about education and pedagogy.

- Sum up information found in texts/films.

Grammar and language skills:

- Grammar: M. Swan, C. Walter, D. Bertocchi, The Good Grammar Book for Italian Students, Oxford U.P., 2015 (only for reference);
– Language skills: Handouts will be provided

Monographic course:
1. S. Porro, English for Psychological Studies, Celid 2009 (pp. 43-67)

2. Handouts (on Freud, "Problem Column" in Teenagers Magazine, Shyness, Human Emotions, Lexicology).

> 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.

> Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Written test, oral test (interview with a native speaker + interview with the Professor) + in-progress assessments for attending students.

The evaluation criteria used for the examination are as follows:

Adequacy of expression with regard to content and method

Ability to re-process knowledge

Ability to organize knowledge according to specific objectives

Orderliness of essay

Breadth of thematic awareness and lexical accuracy

Ability to study critically

The final mark of the entire course (4 credits) will be derived from the average of the marks obtained in the three parts (written test, interview with the native speaker, interview with the teacher of the course).

The learning assessment can also take place online, under certain conditions.

The written test focuses on the B1+ level of the CEFR.

The oral interview focuses on the topics covered during the laboratory, as well as on the contents of the Professor’s programme. For each module, students will be asked to read, translate, answer comprehension questions, summarize, comment.

 The exam is based largely on the knowledge of specific lexicon.