The course will illustrate the main characteristics of spoken English and, at the same time, of contemporary media talk. To achieve this aim, after a necessary introduction, the course will rely on a number of examples taken from two English varieties, namely:
-Telecinematic dialogue, i.e. English spoken in films and TV series, a register which is interesting from a linguistic point of view in that – among other things – it originates in writing but is designed and performed as speech.
-Media talk, i.e. English spoken on the radio and on TV. The course will highlight the distinctive linguistic features and trends in contemporary media talk by looking at media environments such as radio phone-in programmes, televised interviews with politicians, news programmes, etc., and also by drawing comparisons with spontaneous conversation.
The topics of the course will be illustrated by means of a variety of examples taken from films, TV series, radio and TV programmes.
The course is complemented by the language practice classes taught by the C.E.L. staff (Collaboratori ed Esperti Linguistici).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
According to the Dublin descriptors, students, at the end of the course, will demonstrate:
1) Knowledge and understanding
Students will familiarise themselves with the main characteristics of, and tendencies in, spoken English and English media talk.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply their knowledge and understanding. In particular, they will acquire the know-how for analysing spoken English and English media talk both linguistically and meta-linguistically.
3) Making judgements
Drawing on the knowledge and skills acquired in the course, students will develop the ability to interpret the typical characteristics of spoken English and English media talk and to reflect on these two varieties autonomously.
4) Communication skills
The level of linguistic competence students are expected to attain is C1 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (C.E.F.R.; http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf).
5) Learning skills
Students will develop the learning skills they need to go on with their university career, both in terms of contents and in terms of methods.
