Inglese economico

A partire dall’anno accademico 2014-2015, l’insegnamento dell’inglese economico si svolge su due semestri nel secondo anno. Al corso sono assegnati 6 punti ECTS, che si ottengono sulla base di due verifiche in classe e di un esame finale. Dall’inizio, per assicurare omogeneità, gli studenti sono suddivisi in tre gruppi, corrispondenti al livello di competenza linguistica dimostrato. Per presentarsi all’esame finale, lo studente deve essere stato ‘esonerato’ nel primo anno (sia tramite un certificato riconosciuto attestan- te il livello B2, sia superando a pieni voti il test di ammissione) oppure deve aver superato l’esame di livello B2 svolto alla fine del corso di supporto del primo anno.

Autumn Semester - English for economists I
In Part I of the course, we work on identifying and learning the vocabulary and grammatical structures that make up the language of economics. We do so by analysing articles in the specialist press (The Economist, The Times, Financial Times, etc.). Our primary objective is to develop and enrich our understanding and use of the language specific to a variety of issues related to the economy – including, for instance, commodities, resources, energy, trade, financial markets, the environment, development, human rights, etc. Students will be able to practise their writing skills (summary and critical analysis) as well as their speaking.

More details, especially on the criteria of evaluation and exam structure, will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Spring Semester: English for economists II
In Part II of the course, we move on to more substantial texts; we (re-)visit some of the best examples of thinking and writing of the past. We will continue to apply our analytical and critical reading, at an advanced level, to excerpts from the works of authors whose reflections, philosophy, arguments, and views are undeniably fundamental, universal and enduring. Students will be encouraged to (1) observe ways of structuring ideas and logical argumentation; (2) build and enrich a vocabulary and a language proper to an area of inquiry; (3) broaden their reading horizons and back- ground knowledge. The texts are collected in an ‘anthology’, Reader II, prepared by the teacher. Reader II_2016 will be the basis for home study and classroom reading and discussion. It will be our resource for essay writing. The whole course concludes with a written examination, in the form of an essay. More information on that and on how best to work and prepare will be provided in class and on the Moodle platform.

The course is suitable for intermediate and advanced level students. For both parts, students are expected to have reached a good Intermediate level of language skills.

Reading material

Autumn semester:
READER I_2015: A collection of articles from authoritative newspapers and periodicals.

Spring semester:
READER II_2016: an anthology of texts prepared by the teacher.

Students will be able to collect these volumes from the in-house Copy Center (Main Building, Level I) at the beginning of each semester.

Students are advised to use one of the following medium-sized dictionaries: Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary;
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English;
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

The following grammar books are recommended:
M. Swan, Practical English Usage, 3rd ed., fully revised, OUP, Oxford, 2005. A.J. Thomson, A.V. Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, 4th ed., 25th reimpr., OUP, Oxford, 2003.