The English Course is a B2–C1-level English course taught by our English language teacher (CEL), Dr. Ruggero Bianchin.

The course is optional and open to all PhD candidates interested in boosting their English skills, which is especially recommended in light of the Linee Guida per l’accreditamento dei dottorati di ricerca 'Guidelines for the Accreditation of PhD Programmes' which require that graduate students improve their language proficiency by the time they are awarded their PhD.

The classes, conducted entirely in English, will combine a communicative approach with text analysis and oral-written production. Activities will focus on all four core language skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing), providing participants with useful strategies for obtaining the Oxford Test of English (OTE) Advanced certificate, corresponding to levels B2–C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Textual and audiovisual resources related to the research interests of the participating PhD candidates will be adopted during classes alongside Oxford University Press teaching materials, to provide for targeted assistance in increasing students' confidence in communicating more effectively and professionally within an international academic context.

The course is free for PhD students at our University and consists of 40 hours (4 hours over 10 sessions).