Università Roma Tre

The course of English for Communication studies - B2 aims at introducing students to the characteristics of written and spoken communication. The module develops and consolidates knowledge and use of English for specific purposes (ESP), integrating the four main skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) applied to authentic texts in the different areas of communication.
Lessons aim at developing critical thinking and essential skills for the study of ESP, with a focus on the methodological tools to be used in the analysis of written and oral ESP communication.



The course provides a balanced knowledge of oral and written comprehension. At the end of the course, students will have developed written and spoken production skills according to the expected level (B2) and learnt ESP vocabulary and phraseology, as well as have explored different linguistic styles and genres in this domain.

PROGRAMME

UNIT 1:newspapers
Language focus: analyzing newspaper articles. Creating cohesions in texts. Understanding bias in texts. Language devices in headlines. the importance of the national press. The two types of national newspaper in UK. Papers and politics. passive structures. Using open and closed question forms. Newspaper headlines. Notes from an interview. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary: newspaper definitions.



UNIT 2: radio
Language focus: understanding the language of radio presenters. The language of radio production. Phrasal verbs. Phrases followed by noun or gerund. a news list. Radio commissioning brief. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary: radio definitions.

UNIT 3: magazines
Language focus: the language of magazine covers. Stylistic devices. The language of email correspondence. The language of answerphone messages. Future verb forms. Narrative tenses. Email arranging a photo shot. A true life-story. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: types of magazines and features.

UNIT 4: television
Language focus: the language of TV production. Expressing modality. A filming schedule. Television style. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: expressions in filming procedures and editing TV documentaries.

UNIT 5: film
Language focus: features of written dialogue. language of film reviews. Language Connectors. Screenplay. A query letter.- Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: technical vocabulary of filming, film distribution.



UNIT 6: new media
Language focus: analyzing problems and providing solutions. Collocations. Using adjectives to enhance a text.. giving definitions and clarifications. Words with multiple meanings. A webpage. A podcast. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: technical vocabulary of websites, the vocabulary of spoken language.


UNIT 7: advertising
Language focus: print advert and screen advert. The language of slogans. Reassuring and convincing. Language of brainstorming. The language of persuasion. Discuss authentic adverts. Print adverts. A pre-production meeting document. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: words and expression for talking about advertising. technical vocabulary of screen adverts, vocabulary of presenting.


UNIT 8: marketing
Language focus: marketing communication strategies. Describing market trends. Expressing encouragement. Using the present perfect to describe improvements. A press release. A newspaper review. Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Vocabulary: the vocabulary of communication strategies.

Textbook:

Nick Ceramella/Elizabeth Lee: Cambridge English for the Media – B2, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ISBN: 9780521724579

Additional material in pdf format will be available to students at the end of the course.