ENGLISH FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to consolidate and deepen students’ linguistic skills, particularly their knowledge of the morphological, syntactical, and lexical aspects of language (B1 level of the Common European Framework), their receptive and productive oral and written skills, and their comprehension of specialized texts belonging to the field of Education.

Entry level: A2.

Achievement level: B1.

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

Knowledge and understanding

-          Knowledge of theories and translation models in English linguistics

Applying knowledge and understanding 

-          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

- Being able to interpret and formulate the learning demand

Communication skills

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

- Being able to write texts of various genres.

Learning skills

-          Being able to identify one’s learning needs

Course Structure

English-language Lectures + Laboratory held by a native speaker. 

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above to ensure consistency with the Syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

A2-Elementary level of CEFR

Attendance at the laboratory activities and in the lectures is highly recommended, due to the communicative language teaching approach.  

Detailed Course Content

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

- A brief history of psychology (Psychology/Psychologies)

- Clinical and abnormal psychology (Types of psychotherapy)

- General psychology (IQ testing, Memory, Stimuli, Cognitive Psychology)

- Developmental Psychology (The Strange Situation, Erikson, Piaget)

- The Health Benefits of Journaling 

- Film analysis of "Freedom Writers' Diary"

- The Popularization of Psychological Discourse 

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 the specialized lexicon.

- Read, translate, and comment on texts about psychological sciences and techniques.

- Sum up information found in texts/films.

Textbook Information

Grammar and Language skills

- Grammar: M. Swan, C. Walter, D. Bertocchi, The Good Grammar Book for Italian Students, Oxford U.P., Oxford 2007 (only for reference, 318 pp)

- Language Skills: handouts will be provided (about 20 pp.)

Monographic course

1. S. Porro, English for Psychological Studies, Celid, Torino 2013, pp. 7- 42 (33 pp.)

2. M. Purcell, The Health benefits of journaling, www.psychcentral.com (2 pp.)

3. P.C.Leotta, “The transportation of British, American and Indian cultures to Italian-dubbed films. Conventionality and creative solutions”, in V. Bonsignori, G. Cappelli, E. Mattiello (eds), Worlds of Words: Complexity, Creativity, and Conventionality in English Language, Literature and Culture, Vol. 1 (Language), Pisa University Press, Pisa, 2019, pp. 187-201. (only the paragraph on "Freedom Writers' Diary"), (2 pp.)

4. P.C. Leotta, “The Popularization of Psychological Discourse in the Media. Questioning the Boundaries of Genre”, Vijay K. Bhatia / Eleonora Chiavetta /Silvana Sciarrino (eds.), Variations in Specialized Genres. Standardization and Popularization, Narr Franke Attempto, Tubingen 2015, pp. 197-211. 

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

General English written test (B1 level) and oral exam.

Ø  Admission to the oral examination requires a minimum score of 18 out of 30 on the General English written test.

Ø  The written test shall remain valid for one year from the date of passing.

> This test may be replaced by possession of a language certification at an equivalent level issued by accredited Institutions and/or a language certificate issued by the University Language Centre.

The criteria for evaluating the oral exam are presented:
• Phonetic, translational and grammatical awareness
• Adequacy of expression, knowledge of specific language
• Ability to rework knowledge
• Systematic treatment
• Broadness of thematic awareness and lexical correctness
• Critical insight skills

Participation in an ongoing assessment (mock oral exam interview) is optional. The ongoing interview can contribute to the final evaluation if the individual student requests it. The student may also choose not to count the ongoing assessment mark and use this opportunity simply for informal verification.
The final assessment will be equal to the average of the grades obtained in the examination tests.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested

students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory

and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs.

Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata

— Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department

(https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

The written test focuses on the B1 CEFR level.

The oral exam focuses on a discussion of the topics dealt with in the laboratory and lectures.

Students will be required to read, translate, answer comprehension questions, summarize, and comment.

The exam is mainly based on the knowledge of the specific vocabulary.