At the end of the course the student will be able:

1. to read texts from different academic/professional areas at an intermediate/advanced (B2/C1) level;
2. to acquire listening skills in order to comprehend and respond appropriately in verbal or written form to lectures/meetings in different  academic/professional contexts;
3. to write a coherent and cohesive text of short to medium length (300 words) in response to aural and/or written input on a general or academic theme using appropriate register and reasonably accurate grammatical and lexical forms;
4. to express ideas and opinions orally in response to aural and/or written input in an academic or professional context using reasonably accurate and coherent language.

Consolidation of language structure and lexis in professional/academic contexts.       Introduction to and practice in the various skills involved in achieving a good level (70/120) in the TOEFL iBT exam.

:

1. develop strategies for improving reading comprehension:
   • understanding words in context;
   • locating referents;
   • identifying inferences;
   • identifying restatements;
   • organizing information into charts or summaries;
   • understanding transitions and connectors;
   • making logical deductions;
   • inferring meaning.

2. develop strategies for building listening skills:

• understanding natural speech;
• identifying/predicting topics;
• identifying speaker’s purpose;
• understanding connections;
• identifying reference in conversation/lecture
• recognizing signals for understanding (signposting);
• understanding use of intonation and other phonological features;
• identifying attitude;
• taking notes and making accurate summaries

3. develop strategies for building speaking fluency

• focusing on stress patterns
• focusing on intonation
• connecting ideas
• practicing consistency
• sequencing ideas
• making an opening and concluding statement

4. develop strategies for building writing fluency

• identifying topics and tasks
• making a mind map
• paraphrasing sentences
• writing introductory statements
• writing  thesis statement
• writing introductory paragraphs
• writing topic statements for paragraphs
• writing supporting ideas
• writing a conclusion

The course will run under a MODULAR format requiring active student involvement. The level of each student is determined by an Entry Test at the beginning of each year. Modules will be of different level (modules A, B, C) depending on individual student needs. An internal assessment at the end of each module will determine the upgrading/downgrading to a different level. There will be regular Lab practice and periodic simulations of exams to assess readiness. Students may also have access to individual tutoring.