English language
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: SAMANTHA RUSSOExpected Learning Outcomes
The English course aim is to provide students with the main language structures and the ability to understand and translate scientific texts and communicate general information in English. The expected level of proficiency is B1 according to the CEFR.
In terms of knowledge and understanding, students must learn the morphological, syntactic, and lexical structures of the English language, focusing on vocabulary relevant to their specific field of expertise.
In terms of applying knowledge and understanding, students must be able to produce oral and written texts in English, applying the acquired language skills (Scientific English) in actual and professional situations.
Students must also demonstrate the ability to summarize, analyze, and critically interpret scientific texts in English (Making judgments).
At the end of the English course, students are expected to have adequate communication skills, thus they must be able to communicate clearly and appropriately in both academic and professional contexts, and to develop learning skills to continue to study English with a high degree of autonomy.
Course Structure
Frontal lessons. 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.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The English course provides for the acquisition of medical terminology related to the human eye parts and functions and eye disorders and patologies as well as the knowledge of English grammar and syntax necessary for scientific writing. Furthermore, the students are required to analyze the IMRAD structure characterizing the most reputable research articles.
Textbook Information
1. Eric H. Glendinning, Ron Howard, Professional English in Use, Medicine, Cambridge
2. Roberta Losano, Inglese scientifico, Manuale d’uso, Edizioni Minerva Medica
3. Grammatica: testo a scelta dello studente
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grammar • definite and indefinite articles (a, the) • Personal subject and object pronouns • Possessive adjectives and pronouns • Question words • Relative pronouns and relative clauses • Plurals: countable and uncountable nouns | 3.Grammar book of the student's choice |
| 2 | • Indefinite articles: some/any; much/many, a lot of • Preposizions (position 1, posizion 2 and time) • Saxon genitive •Comparatives and superlatives • word Order: adjective and adverb position • Connectors/linkers • False friends | 3.Grammar book of the student's choice |
| 3 | •i Auxiliary verbs: to be/to have/have got/to do • Verb tenses: present simple/ present continuous / future: (will/ -ing/ to be going to)/ present perfect/ past simple/ present perfect continuous + duration form (how long? since/ for)/ past perfect | 3. Grammar book of the student's choice |
| 4 | past continuous/ past perfect continuous, condizional present e past: would/ should/ could/ would have/ should have/ could have, “if” clauses, passive voice. • Modal Verbs: can/ could/ be able to/ may/ might/ have to/ must/ should | 3. Grammar book of the student's choice |
| 5 | Medical-scientific terminology • Parts of the body: anatomical terms and words of the common language • Functions of the body • The eye: parts and functions Health professionals (Opticians, orthoptist and ophtalmologist assistants ) | book 1 – Units 1,2,3,4, 8 (B), 16 e 42 (sezione B) |
| 6 | • Research articles, abstracts and data presentation • Appendix 1 (Parts of the body) and Appendix 2 (Verbs used in instructions). | Testo 1 - Units 55,56,57,58, Appendix 1-2 |
| 7 | • Scientific English - stilistic choices: Passive Voice, Noun style, Hedging - sintactic choices: Verb tenses (Present e Past tense) and Modals. - lexical choices: Compounding | Testo 2 – Cap. 3 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Written and oral assessment.
Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should circumstances require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Speaking and writing: Introducing yourself; the human eye parts and functions; speaking about eye disorders etc.
Scientific writing: Research article and IMRAD Structure; Informative and Descriptive Abstracts.