English language - Bellinzona Campus

Course description

This optional online synchronous general English course is open to members of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and the Institute for Oncology Research (IOR) working on Bellinzona Campus only and is free of charge.

Students enrolling in this course should possess a basic ability to understand words or phrases common in everyday situations that pertain to themselves. They may be able to use simple sentences to communicate an immediate need or to say something simple about a very familiar topic. They should identify as being approximately at a mid-point within A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Time spent online with the lecturer will be used to introduce new themes, review assigned homework, and reinforce spoken production and interaction.

Course details

• Level: A1.2, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Schedule: 2 consecutive hours without break per week on Mondays from 08:30 am until 10:00 am
• When: from 16 September until 16 December 2024
• Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams.
• Lecturer: Sunita Sharma

Course objectives

Build a solid foundation of fundamental vocabulary and grammar to successfully describe immediate surroundings, self, and familiar people and habits using the present and past simple.

Develop auditory and verbal skills to successfully understand and be understood in common everyday interactions with others.

Teaching mode

Online via Microsoft Teams. Students must have access to reliable high-speed Internet, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and microphone, and a quiet, well-lit environment in which there are no distractions for the duration of the lesson.

Learning Methods

In addition to the weekly lesson, students are expected to devote an additional 2 hours per week on homework assignments and self-study activities covering vocabulary, listening writing, and/or reading.

Students are expected to use the iCorsi platform, where materials, practice exercises and course communication will be posted weekly. In addition, students are expected to use the free Quizlet learning tool, where vocabulary sets will be made available in a private group.

Examination information

Access to the final exam is permitted only to students who have at least 75% attendance in class prior to the last day.

This is an elective (Pass/Fail) course and no ECTS will be awarded.  Students achieving marks of 60% or above in each of the final exam categories of grammar, listening, writing, and speaking will receive a course completion certificate.

Certificate of attendance

A regular and active attendance is compulsory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final test will receive a certificate of attendance.

Bibliographical references

No prescribed textbooks. Study material will be made available on iCorsi.

Enrolment

The online application enrols participants automatically. A detailed informative email confirming the enrolment will however be sent few days before the beginning of the course.

Click here to apply

Please note: the course will only be activated if a minimum number of enrollments is reached.

Course description

This optional online synchronous general English course is open to members of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and the Institute for Oncology Research (IOR) working on Bellinzona Campus only and is free of charge.

Students enrolling in this course should have successfully passed the A1.2 course or possess equivalent ability. They should be able use the Present Simple in all forms (positive, negative and questions), recognize commonly used verbs in the Past Simple, and possess foundational vocabulary pertaining to daily topics such as family, the home, the body, food and drink, months, days of the week, and everyday activities. They should identify as being at or within the A2 descriptor on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Time spent online with the lecturer will be used to introduce new themes, review assigned homework, and reinforce spoken production and interaction.

Course details

• Level: A2.1, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Schedule: 2 consecutive hours without break per week on Mondays from 08:30 am until 10:00 am
• When: from 17 February until 26 May 2025
• Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams
• Lecturer: Sunita Sharma

Course objectives

Build upon an existing foundation of fundamental vocabulary and grammar to successfully interact simply and directly with others concerning familiar topics, activities, and habits using the present and past simple.

Develop auditory and verbal skills to successfully understand and be understood in familiar interactions with others, perhaps outside of one’s daily sphere.

Teaching mode

Online via Microsoft Teams. Students must have access to reliable high-speed Internet, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and microphone, and a quiet, well-lit environment in which there are no distractions for the duration of the lesson.

Learning methods

In addition to the weekly lesson, students are expected to devote an additional 2 hours per week on homework assignments and self-study activities covering vocabulary, listening writing, and/or reading.

Students are expected to use the iCorsi platform, where materials, practice exercises and course communication will be posted weekly. In addition, students are expected to use the free Quizlet learning tool, where vocabulary sets will be made available in a private group.

Examination information

Access to the final exam is permitted only to students who have at least 75% attendance in class prior to the last day.

This is an elective (Pass/Fail) course and no ECTS will be awarded. Students achieving marks of 60% or above in each of the final exam categories of grammar, listening, writing, and speaking will receive a course completion certificate.

Certificate of attendance

A regular and active attendance is compulsory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final test will receive a certificate of attendance.

Bibliographical references

No prescribed textbooks. Study material will be made available on iCorsi.

Enrolment

The online application enrols participants automatically. A detailed informative email confirming the enrolment will however be sent few days before the beginning of the course.

Click here to apply

Please note: the course will only be activated if a minimum number of enrollments is reached.