Course Topics
¿ Writing skills: improvement of academic and scientific written skills through the practice and production of subject-specific texts; ¿ Spoken skills: improvement of spoken interaction and production through the practice and production of academically and professionally acceptable presentations and other domain-specific speaking activities; ¿ Development of receptive skills through the exposure to and analysis of various types of written and spoken discourse typical of master’s studies in Computer Science ¿ Development of grammatical and lexical range and accuracy so that communication is fluent and spontaneous

Teaching format
Teaching format is based on the seminar format which envisages teacher and student co-operation and participation in the classroom through individual, pair and group work. Any student who has specific learning needs that they feel may have an impact on their ability to benefit fully from this course will be offered individual support on request.

Educational objectives
The course belongs to the type "ulteriori attivitá formative – ulteriori conoscenze linguistiche" in the curriculua “Data Analytics” and “Data Management”. This specifically designed course aims to develop students’ proficiency in using academic English for their master’s studies at the C1 level and above. It covers some of the main areas of scientific and academic communication that master students will encounter to assist them in the linguistic aspects of their research. Specific educational objectives include the following: • to improve academic and scientific written skills through practice of subject-specific texts; • to improve spoken interaction and production through the practice and production of academic scientific presentations and discussions; • to improve receptive skills through the exposure to and analysis of various types of written and spoken discourse; • to develop grammatical and lexical range and accuracy so that communication has a good degree of spontaneity and fluency. Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of advanced grammatical structures and subject-specific academic and professional lexis at the C1 level, understanding of authentic (general and subject-specific) longer spoken and written texts including specialised texts and other texts produced for various purposes and representing different varieties of English, as well as different registers and styles. Applying knowledge and understanding: Producing specific academic texts related to the field of research providing opinions and accounting for the views presented. Presenting clear descriptions, analysis and evaluation of specific fields, developing points and formulating opinions in written and oral texts. Making judgments: Integrating knowledge and understanding acquired in the course with knowledge and understanding from other courses to achieve academic and professional purposes within the fields of the master design course followed. Communication skills: • D4.1 - Ability to use English at an advanced level with particular reference to disciplinary terminology • D4.2 - Ability to present one's work in a clear and comprehensible way in front of an audience, including non-specialists • D4.3 - Ability to structure and draft scientific and technical documentation. Learning skills: Ability to pursue autonomous learning based on the input provided in the classes and lectures and the feedback received.

Assessment
This is a pass/fail exam. Written exam: tests to verify ability to use the specialised language covered in the course; writing production task of approx. 350 words based on subject-specific input and specific requirements of the master studies; Portfolio: a 500-word report on the student’s research for their Master thesis Oral exam: presentation of same research topic that was the focus of the Portfolio and related Q&A session demonstrating an advanced command of both spoken production and interaction. The assessment criteria are the same for non-attending students.

Evaluation criteria
40% written exam, 30% oral exam, 30% Portfolio. The written examination must be passed (min. 60%) and the Portfolio must have been submitted according to the submission criteria in order to be admitted to the oral exam. Further details concerning the exam procedure will be provided during the course and online in the OLE for this course.