Students are expected to have a minimum level of English language proficiency equivalent to at least an intermediate level (i.e., B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference [CEFR] for languages). This requirement ensures that students have a solid foundation in English to effectively engage with the course materials and activities.

English language competence at the intermediate level (B1) implies that students are able to understand and produce everyday English, both in written and spoken forms. They can comprehend straightforward texts related to familiar topics, express personal opinions and experiences, and engage in conversations on familiar subjects. Students at this level can also write coherent paragraphs and short texts, such as emails or simple reports, demonstrating a basic understanding of grammar and vocabulary. Additionally, at the intermediate level, students should be able to comprehend and produce more complex language on various topics related to international tourism and destination management.

An intermediate level of English language competence enables students to actively participate in the course, engage with the provided study materials, and effectively communicate their ideas and opinions. It forms the basis for the further development of their language skills, allowing them to progress towards an upper-intermediate level and achieve the desired learning outcomes in the field of international tourism and destination management.

The course is designed to enhance students' proficiency in the specialised language required in the tourism industry. The objective is to equip students with the necessary tools for effective communication in the field of International Tourism and Destination Management. By the end of the course, students will have strengthened their English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, advancing from an intermediate to an upper-intermediate level. Additionally, the course will cover business-related topics such as human resources, marketing and branding, leadership and management, and (inter)cultural awareness.

The course will primarily focus on the most common structures and genres of English for Tourism. Students will also develop their ability to communicate effectively in Business English, including creating presentations, writing emails, and undertaking other essential tasks related to business management.

With reference to the Dublin descriptors, the learning outcomes of the course are as follows:

(1) Knowledge and Understanding: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specialised language used in the tourism industry, as well as key business concepts and cultural awareness relevant to International Tourism and Destination Management.

(2) Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Students will be able to use their knowledge and understanding of the English language and culture to effectively communicate in various tourism-related contexts, including written and spoken communication, presentations, and business interactions.

(3) Making Judgements: Students will develop the ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and make informed judgements related to language use, communication strategies, and cultural aspects in the tourism industry.

(4) Communication Skills: Students will enhance their communication skills in English, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with a specific focus on the specialised language and genres used in the tourism industry.

(5) Learning Skills: Students will acquire learning skills that enable them to continue developing their English language proficiency independently, and to adapt their communication strategies to diverse situations and contexts in the field of International Tourism and Destination Management.

Through the course's comprehensive approach to language development, (inter)cultural awareness, and business communication, students will achieve these learning outcomes and gain a solid foundation for their future endeavours in the field of International Tourism and Destination Management.

The course covers a series of topics concerning English for Tourism that will be presented, discussed, and explored, focusing on the specialised vocabulary and the most common genres in the tourism industry. All productive and receptive skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening and speaking) will be practised in order to help students achieve an upper-intermediate level of English language proficiency (i.e., B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference [CEFR] for languages). The classes will primarily focus on communicative activities such as tasks, discussions, and problem-solving exercises. In particular, the course will cover the following topics:

(1) International Tourism: The history of tourism; Tourism trends and motivations; Advertising and marketing; Vocabulary and conversational/technical phrases in marketing; Dealing with figures and statistics; Designing tours; Dealing with customer complaints and improving customer service; Attractions, activities, and accommodations; Business travel; Niche and cultural tourism; Tourism and the environment; Tourism and technology.

(2) Business English: Creating business presentations; Writing business emails; Making business phone calls; Participating in business meetings and performing other relevant tasks required in business management.

(3) English Language: Question forms, conditionals, phrasal verbs, reported speech, verb tenses at the B2 level, passive forms.

(4) English Culture: American and British work culture: time management; business practices; communication styles.

(5) Intercultural Communication: Understanding cultural differences and their impact on the tourism industry; Developing intercultural competence; Effective cross-cultural communication strategies; Handling intercultural conflicts; Cultural sensitivity and adaptability in the context of tourism and destination management.

(6) Tourism Communication Skills: Developing effective communication skills for tourism professionals; Customer service in the tourism industry; Interacting with tourists from different cultural backgrounds; Handling difficult situations and resolving conflicts professionally; Effective communication in a multilingual and multicultural environment.

These topics will provide a comprehensive understanding of the English language and culture in the context of international tourism and destination management.

(A); Picello R.; English for Cultural Tourism Management and Interpretation; Libreria Universitaria Edizioni Padova; 2017; 978-88-6292-939-4

(C); Strutt P.; English for International Tourism (Upper Intermediate); Pearson Harlow; 2013; 9781447923916

(C); Powell M.; In Company 3.0 (Intermediate); Macmillan London; 2014; 9780230455238

Reference grammars:

Students may find the following reference grammars helpful if they feel that their level of English proficiency may not be sufficient to use the study materials with confidence:

- Murphy, Raymond (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th edn.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

- Mann, Malcolm / Taylore-Knowles, Steve (2008). Destination B2: Grammar and Vocabulary (with Answer Key). London: Macmillan.

- Foley, Mark / Hall, Diane (2012). MyGrammarLab (Intermediate B1-B2). Harlow: Pearson.

- Bell, Jan / Thomas, Amanda 2015. Gold (First). Harlow: Pearson.

• The course adopts an interactive and participatory teaching style, encouraging students to actively engage with the contents. The classes are designed to promote discussions, fostering students' participation and collaborative learning. The emphasis is on practical application and real-world scenarios, with the use of case studies and examples from the tourism industry.

  Since the classes are interactive and require active and continuous participation in terms of oral discussion, students' attendance is encouraged. In fact, the course's interactive nature requires active participation during the frontal lessons, which will be enriched with practical exercises and the consultation of authentic materials. General language courses are also held by our English mother tongue teachers (CEL) to further develop students' communicative skills.

  The classes in this course primarily involve interactive contents, through which students are actively engaged in the learning process. These may include frontal lectures where key concepts are presented, interactive classes where students participate through discussions and Q&A sessions, exercises and group work to encourage collaboration, and seminar activities that allow for active participation.

  To enhance the learning experience, multimedia tools and resources are utilised. This may involve audio-visual materials, such as videos, images, and interactive presentations, to illustrate concepts and facilitate understanding. The inclusion of online materials and resources further supports students' learning, allowing them to access supplementary content, engage in pre- or post-lecture activities, and explore additional resources to increase their understanding of the topics covered.

  Overall, the course fosters an interactive and dynamic learning environment, combining theoretical knowledge, practical application, and multimedia resources to facilitate students' comprehension and engagement with the subject matter.

• FINAL ASSESSMENT

  The exam consists of an interview

  Discussion of a project paper: YES

  Language of the exam: English

  The exam consists of an interview (in English) to ascertain in depth the theoretical and methodological background based on the course syllabus, and the ability to apply it to a case study selected by the student.

  The oral exam focuses on the preparation of a PowerPoint presentation in English (to be sent 2 weeks before the date of the exam to antonio.fruttaldo@unimc.it) relevant to the topics of the course, through modes, tools and methodologies used in the field of Tourism and Destination Management. The case studies will be provided at the end of the course. Students must choose only ONE case study and develop it. The PowerPoint presentation guidelines will be available on my website (https://docenti.unimc.it/antonio.fruttaldo).

  The exam will consist of the discussion of the presentation and will be aimed at testing the students' acquisition of the theoretical and methodological knowledge and autonomy of analysis as well as the adequate ability to express themselves in English. The interview seeks to ascertain the students' skills for critical analysis and their ability to independently apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. It also serves as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their proficiency in expressing themselves fluently and convincingly in English. By combining theoretical and methodological aspects with language skills, the exam provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall learning outcomes, ensuring that students have acquired the necessary knowledge to apply it effectively, think critically, and communicate proficiently in English.

  Criteria adopted for students' evaluation:

  (a) Format and quality of English (score ranging from 1/30 to 6/30);

  (b) Ability to make connections between texts (score ranging from 1/30 to 6/30);

  (c) Ability to apply knowledge (score ranging from 1/30 to 6/30);

  (d) Autonomy of judgment and critical thinking (score ranging from 1/30 to 6/30).

  (e) Use of acquired knowledge for professional development (score ranging from 1/30 to 6/30).

  Therefore, the final evaluation can range from 18/30 to 30/30 based on the level of accuracy of the oral interview, as well as the correct use of methodologies and theories, and proficiency in the English language.

  The minimum evaluation level (18/30) is awarded when the student demonstrates uncertain or partial mastery in applying theoretical knowledge and analytical methods, and has fragmented knowledge limited to only the basic fundamentals of the various topics covered. The student also exhibits minimal proficiency in the English language when presenting arguments and expressing their theses, partially aligning with an upper-intermediate level of English language proficiency.

  The maximum evaluation level (30/30) is awarded when the student demonstrates complete mastery in applying theoretical knowledge and analytical methods, and is able to critically and accurately solve the problems addressed. Additionally, the student exhibits a high level of proficiency in the English language when presenting arguments and expressing their theses confidently, in line with an upper-intermediate level of English language proficiency.

  The cum laude distinction is awarded when the student demonstrates absolute mastery of theoretical and methodological contents, the ability to connect different topics interdisciplinarily, and presents arguments with exceptional communicative skills. The evaluation also takes into account the student's autonomy in selecting alternative texts to further explore the analysed topics.

English