Università Roma Tre

This course aims at:
- Debunking some of the most pervasive myths and prejudices regarding language and languages and making way to the results of contemporary research in the sciences of language.
- Providing students with sound information regarding how foreign languages are best learned and taught.
- Enhancing students’ metalinguistic capabilities to improve their command of written language and their ability to improve their pupils’ command of written language, both native and L2 speakers.
- Providing students with the linguistic knowledge implied in the processes of both teaching literacy and preparing pre-school children to literacy.
- Presenting the results of contemporary research in syntax – aiming at replacing traditional grammar, both scientifically and educationally obsolete – which will provide the basis of their grammatical teaching at school.


1. AS FOR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO
a. change their own views on language and languages, with special focus on socially, culturally and professionally dangerous myths and prejudices;
b. learn a scientific syntax – which is particularly suitable for active learning, being based on the speaker’s intuition – to replace traditional grammar, which is both obsolete and unattractive for pupils and students, being prescriptive and stipulative.
2. AS FOR APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO
a. apply the new awareness to their profession, with special reference to linguistic diversity, written language, foreign languages and Italian as a second language;
b. develop their pupils’ metalinguistic capabilities in order for them to reflect on language and improve their use of language, particularly the written one.
3. AS FOR MAKING JUDGEMENTS, STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO
enhance their critical skills thanks to an instruction which is strictly based on scientific argument, not on tradition or on some assumed authority.
4. AS FOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS, STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO
improve their linguistic skills, particularly as far as written language and English are concerned, thanks to their enriched metalinguistic capabilities.
5. AS FOR LEARNING SKILLS, STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO
realize that there is no definitive knowledge; therefore, the only way to ensure quality in one’s profession is permanent education.