Learning outcomes

Description of the course
This is a laboratory-based course, which implies that the lessons will actively involve the students in practical tasks. The course aims at strengthening and developing communicative competences in English starting from the analysis of essays, or parts of essays, concerning pedagogical and psychological themes written in English by influential authors the students may have already studied in their mother tongue. Also online videoclips and European documents will be examined.
Prerequisite: English competence at A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Here are some free online tests: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/ (general English), http://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/ (listening + grammar and vocabulary).

Communicative and educational aims
Speak about a scholar’s personal and professional life
Speak about the cultural context in which his/her thought has developed
Understand short texts about pedagogical and psychological themes which are already familiar
Speak about the topics developed in the course
Interview a scholar whose work has been studied in the course
Layout a book/essay review

Program

LESSON 1 (room LISSS 2)

26th February: European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice/Eurostat, 2014. Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. 2014 Edition. Eurydice and Eurostat Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, pp. 141-157
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/166EN.pdf


LESSON 2 (room LISSS 2)

4th March: European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice/Eurostat, 2014. Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. 2014 Edition. Eurydice and Eurostat Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, pp. 141-157
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/166EN.pdf

LESSON 3 (room LISSS 2)

11th March: L. Mariani, Perspectives, a Journal of TESOL-Italy, Vol. XXXIV, No. 2, 2007, 17-27. http://www.learningpaths.org/papers/paperculturalstyles.htm

LESSON 4 (room LISSS 2)

18th March: L. Mariani, Perspectives, a Journal of TESOL-Italy, Vol. XXXIV, No. 2, 2007, 17-27. http://www.learningpaths.org/papers/paperculturalstyles.htm

LESSON 5 (room LISSS 2)

1st April: J. Dewey, My pedagogic creed
http://infed.org/mobi/john-dewey-my-pedagogical-creed/

LESSON 6 (room LISSS 2)

8th April: J. Dewey, My pedagogic creed
http://infed.org/mobi/john-dewey-my-pedagogical-creed/

LESSON 7 (room LISSS 2)

15th April: J.S. Bruner, In Search of Pedagogy. Volume I, The selected works of Jerome S. Bruner 1957-1978 (lettura della introduzione: pp. 1―6)
http://samples.sainsburysebooks.co.uk/9781134168958_sample_497303.pdf

LESSON 8 (room LISSS 2)

22nd April: J.S. Bruner, In Search of Pedagogy. Volume I, The selected works of Jerome S. Bruner 1957-1978 (lettura della introduzione: pp. 1―6 )
http://samples.sainsburysebooks.co.uk/9781134168958_sample_497303.pdf

LESSON 9 (room LISSS 2)

29th April: Vygotsky L.S., Interaction between learning and development
http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~siegler/vygotsky78.pdf

LESSON 10 (room LISSS 2)

6th May: Vygotsky L.S., Interaction between learning and development
http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~siegler/vygotsky78.pdf

LESSON 11 (room LISSS 2)

13th May: Guidelines and tips for the book/chapter review and presentation

LESSON 12 (room Zorzi A)

20th May: Guidelines and tips for the book/chapter review and presentation


Basic text (language):
Latham-Koenig C. & Oxenden C., English File Digital, Pre-intermediate Student’s Book & Workbook (with keys), third edition, OUP, Oxford 2012 (with online expansions: https://elt.oup.com/student/englishfile/?cc=it&selLanguage=it)


Reference resources:
European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice/Eurostat, 2014. Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. 2014 Edition. Eurydice and Eurostat Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/166EN.pdf

L. Mariani, Perspectives, a Journal of TESOL-Italy, Vol. XXXIV, No. 2, 2007, 17-27. http://www.learningpaths.org/papers/paperculturalstyles.htm

Dewey J., My pedagogic creed, first published in The School Journal, Volume LIV, Number 3 (January 16, 1897), pages 77-80.
http://infed.org/mobi/john-dewey-my-pedagogical-creed/

Bruner J.S., Introduction. In Search of Pedagogy. Volume I, The selected works of Jerome S. Bruner 1957-1978, Routledge, London & New York 2006, pp. 1―6.
http://samples.sainsburysebooks.co.uk/9781134168958_sample_497303.pdf

Vygotsky L.S., Interaction between learning and development. From Mind and Society (pp. 79-91). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Reprinted in: Gauvain M., Cole M. (Eds), Readings on the Development of Children, W.H. Freeman and Company, Mew York 1997.
http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~siegler/vygotsky78.pdf

Other resources, including online videoclips, will be given during the course. Students will be asked to use a dictionary in class (printed or online). If possible, bring your PC.

Examination Methods

The examination will be in English. It consists of the presentation of the review of a book or an essay the student has already read. The review has to be written in English and handed in far in advance (at least one week before the exam). The examination will also cover the topics introduced during the lessons and/or in the platform. Further information will be given during the course.

Exam sessions
June 2016
Wednesday 8th June (1st session) 10.15 Aula Zorzi B
Wednesday 29th June (2nd session) 10.15 Aula Zorzi B


September 2016
Wednesday 7th September (1st session) 10.15 Aula Lorenzi
Wednesday 28 September (2nd session) 10.15 Aula Zorzi B


Jan.– Febr. 2017 Date to be determined

To get 3 CFU every student has to:
- attend the lessons
- take part in the online activities
- layout a book review in English
- pass the oral exam (presentation of the review and conversation about the topics introduced during the lessons/on the online platform)

N.B.: elements to be assessed:
1. quality of the review written by the student
2. quality and quantity of the online work
3. oral examination

The course in a laboratory, for this reason it is not possible to follow it via distance learning.
Class attendance: at least 10 out of 12 lessons as a rule.