GUIDES TO THE UNIVERSITY

To classify language competence levels, Università Bocconi follows the Common European Framework established by the Council of Europe.

Basic User	A1	Elementary
	A2	Pre-intermediate
Independent User	B1	Intermediate
	B2	Post-intermediate
Proficient User	C1	Advanced
	C2	Proficient

 

Language skills for each level are available at www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre.

 

Program structure position and credit points
The first foreign language is positioned in the second year of the program structure.

The objective of the course is to provide students with the skills to use the language in a general context.

The language path offered by the University takes place in the first and second years of Undergraduate programs.

The course is assigned 6 credit points, which are awarded to students when they pass the exam or after the submission and registration in their academic career of one of the international language certifications recognized by the University (see Paragraph 3.3.4 "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge").
The assessment of foreign language knowledge is marked out of thirty and the mark is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

Method of choosing a first foreign language

• For all students who are not English native speakers, the first foreign language must be English.
  The exit level from the language learning path is C1 in keeping with the Council of Europe framework.
  However, in light of the students' different linguistic levels on entry, the University allows students to exit from the language path with a lower linguistic level, i.e. B2.
  The course code is 5127.
• For all students who are English native speakers, the first foreign language must be chosen from French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.
  Students must reach level B2.
  The course codes are:
  5128 French
  5295 Portuguese
  5130 Spanish
  5129 German 
  
  

English (for students who are not English native speakers)
Università Bocconi has identified the recommended entry requirements to ensure that students are adequately prepared to attend the curricular English language courses. The  requirements are  level B1 of the Common European Framework for Language Competence (see paragraph 3.3.1 "The Common European Framework"). On the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre in Language Teaching > Undergraduate Programs - III year students can find detailed information regarding the language knowledge and competence required and self-study programs to assist them in reaching the indicated level based on their initial preparation.

Initial evaluation test
On the same day as the aptitude selection test,  all non-native English speakers should have also taken an English language test. On the basis of this test, the student's ideal language path is assigned for the first year of studies.

The Language learning path
The educational activities designed to assist students in learning English are organized by the Language Centre. These activities include both C1 and B2 level curricular courses and preparatory modules for students who have not yet acquired sufficient linguistic competence.
The University proposes an individual,  personalized learning plan upon enrolment based on the student's initial language level.  For absolute beginners the following paths are offered:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I	Module P1	Intensive - Part 1	78 hours
1st year	II	Module P2	Intensive - Part 2	78 hours
2nd year	I	Module B1	Intermediate	52 hours
2nd year	II	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

For other students the paths below are offered. Students have attended in whole or in part the preparatory modules based on their linguistic competence ascertained by the initial test.

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I	Module A2	Pre-intermediate	52 hours
1st year	II	Module B1	Intermediate	52 hours
2nd year	I (or II)	Module/Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours
2nd year	II (or I)	Course C1	Advanced	52 hours

 

Since first and second-year courses are no longer offered for the 2007-2008 a.y., two B2 level repeat class groups are being offered for third-year students who have an English exam debit (one class group for each semester). Students can sign up via the yoU@B student diary according to the following periods: first semester class group: 1 August - 28 September 2007; second semester class group: 7-31 January 2008. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis for a maximum of 100 students per class group. The courses are run only if there are enough students.

Students state their desired exit level when they register for the final exam via Punto Blu or Virtual Punto Blu regardless of the module(s) or course(s) attended.

French, Portuguese, Spanish, German  (for English native speakers)

Initial evaluation test
There is no compulsory initial evaluation test for French, Portuguese, Spanish, German. A self-evaluation test is available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre > Language Laboratories > self-evaluation tests for foreign languages. 

The Language learning path
The teaching activities designed to help students in learning French, German, Portuguese and Spanish are organized by the Language Centre and include both B2 level curricular courses and preparatory modules for students who have not yet acquired the sufficient linguistic competence.

The language learning path is the following:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I semester	Module A1	Elementary	52 hours
1st year	II semester	Module A2	Pre-intermediate	52 hours
2nd year	I semester	Module B1	Intermediate	52 hours
2nd year	II semester	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

For the 2007-2008 a.y. no lessons are scheduled.
For students who have a language exam debit, language changes can be made in the periods 1 August - 28 September 2007 and 7-31 January 2008. Changes can be made via Punto Blu or Virtual Punto Blu.

Program structure position and credit points
The first foreign language is placed in the first year of the program structure.

The objective of the course is to provide students with the necessary skills to use the language in a general context.
The course is assigned 6 credit points, awarded to students when they pass the exam or after the submission and registration in their academic career of one of the international language certifications recognized by the University (see Paragraph 3.3.4 "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge").
The assessment of foreign language knowledge is marked out of thirty; the mark is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

Method of choosing first foreign language and language learning paths
Students who are not English native speakers may choose one of the following as the first foreign language:

• English C2 level of the Council of Europe's framework. However, in light of the students' different linguistic levels on entry, the University allows students to exit from the language path with a lower linguistic level, i.e. C1 level.
  The course code is 5127.
  
  The language path is the following:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I semester	Module /Course C1	Advanced	52 hours
1st year	II semester	Course C2	Proficient	52 hours

 

• one of the following languages of the European Union (as long as it is different from the student's native language): French, Portuguese, Spanish, German  B2 level .
  The course codes are:
  5128 French
  5295 Portuguese
  5130 Spanish
  5129 German
  
  The language path is the following:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I semester	Module B1	Intermediate	52 hours
1st year	II semester	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

 

For students who are not English native speakers and who are enrolled in the Central European University (CEU) - Università  Bocconi Double Degree Program the first language must be English C1 level according to the Council of Europe's Framework.

For students who are English native speakers the first foreign language may be chosen from one of the following languages of the European Union: French, Portuguese, Spanish, German  B2 level.
The course codes are:
5128 French
5295 Portuguese
5130 Spanish
5129 German

The language path is the following:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year	I semester	Module B1	Intermediate	52 hours
1st year	II semester	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

 

For students who have a language exam debit, language changes can be made in the periods 1 August - 28 September 2007 and 7-31 January 2008. Changes can be made via Punto Blu or Virtual Punto Blu.

Students must state  their desired exit level when they register for the final exam at Punto Blu terminals regardless of the module(s) or course(s) attended.

Program structure position and credit points
The second foreign language is placed in the third year of the program structure in either the first or second semester, depending on the Undergraduate program: 
I semester: CLAPI, CLELI, CLEMIT
II semester: CLEA, CLEFIN, CLEACC, DES, DIEM

Students can choose to sit the exam in either the first or second semester exam sessions regardless  of which semester the course is placed in the program structure.

The objective of the course is to provide students with the ability to use the language appropriately.

The language path offered by the University takes place in the second and third years of studies.

The course is assigned 6 credit points, which are awarded to students when they pass the exam or after the submission and registration in their academic career of one of the international language certifications recognized by the University (see Paragraph 3.3.4 "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge").
The assessment of foreign language knowledge is marked out of thirty and the mark is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

Method of choosing second foreign language

• For students who are Italian native speakers, the second foreign language must be chosen from French, Portuguese, Spanish, German. The course codes are:
  5128 French
  5295 Portuguese
  5130 Spanish
  5129 German
  
• For students who are not Italian native speakers the second language must be Italian. The course code is 5239.
  
  

The exit level from the language learning path is B2 of the Council of Europe's Framework. However, in light of the students' different linguistic levels on entry, the University allows them  to exit from the language path with a lower linguistic level, i.e. B1.

• For students who are not Italian native speakers and who are enrolled in the Central European University (CEU) - Università Bocconi Double Degree Program, the second language must be Italian. The course code is 5239. The exit level is B1 of the Council of Europe's Framework.
  
  

French, Portuguese, Spanish, German  (for Italian native speakers)

Initial evaluation test
There is no compulsory initial evaluation test for French, Portuguese, Spanish and German although a self-evaluation test is available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre > Language Laboratories > self-evaluation tests for foreign languages. Students are invited to take this test before enrolling for the second year of the program.

The language learning path
The teaching activities designed to assist students in learning French, Portuguese, Spanish and German are organized by the Language Centre and include both levels B2 and B1 curricular courses as well as preparatory modules for students who have not yet acquired sufficient linguistic competence.
The student's language level is ascertained by the self-evaluation test. Accordingly, the University will suggest an individual and personalized learning plan to the student. This may mean: attending preparatory modules either completely or partially based on linguistic competence, taking curricular courses or sitting the exam.

The language paths are as follows:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
2nd year	I semester	Module A1	Elementary	52 hours
2nd year	II semester	Module A2	Pre-intermediate	52 hours
3rd year	I (or II) semester	Module /Course B1(*)	Intermediate	52 hours
3rd year	II semester	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

 

(*) B1 serves two purposes: as a curricular course for students who wish to take the final B1 exam and as a preparatory module to attend the B2 curricular course.

For the 2007-2008 a.y. only modules and courses of the third year will be run.

Third-year students must confirm and/or change the language they chose in the second year of the course (or choose a language if they did not do so in the second year) when they enrol in the academic year (Punto Blu or Virtual Punto Blu, between 1 August - 10 September 2007).
Students must also choose the modules they wish to attend in the first and second semesters (B1 in first semester and B2 in second semester; only B1 in first semester; only B1 in second semester; only B2 in second semester); they will automatically be assigned the class group level according  to the choices made for both the first and second semesters.

Students can change languages in their third year from 7-31 January 2008, via Punto Blu terminals or Virtual Punto Blu.

The class timetable can be viewed at Punto Blu terminals and the yoU@B student diary after enrolment for the academic year.

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended; attending modules and courses is considered to be the most effective way of learning the language and preparing for the final exam.  Active participation in a curricular course may result in awarding 1 or 2 extra points to the final exam mark. Detailed information is presented in the exam requirements for every language and they are available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre in Language Teaching >Undergraduate programs - III year.

Students must declare their desired exit level when they register for the final exam at one of the Punto Blu terminals regardless of the module(s) or course(s) attended.

Italian (for students who are not Italian native speakers)

Initial evaluation test
Non-EU students who do not have Italian residency must take an Italian language test organized by the University in accordance with the Ministerial regulations.

With reference to all other students who are not Italian native speakers there is no initial evaluation test for Italian organized by the University, although students are invited to take a self-evaluation test available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre > Language Laboratories > self-evaluation tests for foreign languages.

The language learning  path
The teaching activities for Italian are organized by the Language Centre, and include both levels B2 and B1 curricular courses. Preparatory modules for students who have not yet acquired sufficient linguistic competence are also scheduled.
Accordingly, the University will suggest to the student an individual, personalized learning plan upon enrolment based on the student's language level. This plan may  include attending preparatory modules either completely or partially based on linguistic competence, taking curricular courses or sitting the exam to assess language skills.

The language learning paths are as follows:

Year of studies	Semester	Level		Number of hours
1st year		Basic course organized by the International Relations Service
2nd year	I semester	Module A2	Pre-intermediate	52 hours
3rd year	I semester	Module/ Course B1(*)	Intermediate	52 hours
3rd year	II semester	Course B2	Post-intermediate	52 hours

 

(*) B1 serves two purposes: as a curricular course for students who wish to take the final B1 exam and as a preparatory module to attend the B2 curricular course.

For the 2007-2008 a.y. only modules and courses of the third year will be run.  For students enrolled in the Joint Degree Central European University (CEU) - Università  Bocconi  Program, only 2nd-year modules of Italian can be run.

Second-year students enrolled in the Joint Degree Central European University (CEU) - Università  Bocconi  Program, are automatically assigned an A2 level class group when they enrol in the academic year (between 1 August - 10 September 2007). The class will be run only if enough students sign up.

Third-year, Italian, non-native speakers,  when enrolling in the academic year (via Punto Blu or Virtual Punto Blu, between 1 August - 10 September 2007) choose the modules for the 1st and 2nd semester (B1 in the first and B2 in the second semester; only B1 in the first semester; only B2 in the second semester). They will automatically be assigned the class group according to the choices made.

The class timetable can be viewed at Punto Blu terminals and viewed in the yoU@B student diary.

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended; attending modules and courses is considered to be the most effective way of learning the language and preparing for the final exam.  Active  participation in a curricular course may result in awarding 1 or 2 extra points to the final exam mark. Detailed information is presented in the exam requirements for every language and they are available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre in Language Teaching >Undergraduate programs - III year.

Students must state their desired exit level when they register for the final exam at Punto Blu terminals or Virtual Punto Blu regardless of the module(s) or course(s) attended.

A second foreign language is an option for students enrolled in the CLSG and can be included in the student's study plan instead of the educational activity "project/seminars" in the third year of studies. For information on the methods for adding a second foreign language to the study plan see 7.1.4.

The course codes are:
5323 French
5325 Portuguese
5326 Spanish
5327 German

The language learning path offered by the University is the same as the one offered for the Bachelor programs in the fields of Economics and Management.
The language course is awarded 6 credit points. Students obtain the credits when they pass the exam or register one of the international certifications recognized by the University (see 3.3.4 "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge").
The exam is marked out of thirty and is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).
Students are free to attend the class groups scheduled for Bachelor programs in the fields of Economics and Management.

In such programs the teaching is scheduled over 2 semesters (third year); the course unit covers "general" English and includes an A2 level (pre-intermediate) initial language knowledge.
CLSG students enrolled for the 2007-08 academic year can only attend third-year lessons.

For methods on choosing the second language, evaluation tests and learning paths, see the paragraph "Second foreign language for Bachelor  programs in the fields of Economics and Management".

Please note that:

• it is possible  to include a second foreign language in the study plan as an additional exam;
• an international language certification registered in the student's undergraduate academic career as an alternative to projects/seminars or as an additional exam, cannot be included in the MSc study plan.
   

 

 

Assessment of foreign language knowledge by Bocconi exam
Language knowledge is assessed by an exam. This exam is designed to test the student's comprehension and knowledge of both written and spoken English adapted to the appropriate language level.

The summarized course programs (course profiles) of the language modules are available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/profiles.

The detailed course programs (course syllabuses and exam requirements) are available on the Internet site at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre in Language Teaching and >Undergraduate programs - III year.

The exam is marked out of thirty and is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).
Students must state their exit level chosen between the two possible exit levels suggested by the University when they register for the exam at Punto Blu terminals or Virtual Punto Blu. The level of competence achieved is recorded on the official exam report and official academic transcript. As an alternative to the Bocconi exam, students may choose to take one of the international certification exams indicated by the University, requesting that the results achieved be converted into a mark out of thirty and recorded in their academic career by the Language Centre Office.

Students can achieve higher exit levels than the curricular exams for both first and second languages. This is only possible through the registration of international certifications in the academic career from among those recognized by the University.

Assessment of foreign language knowledge by international language certifications
If students opt for a certification exam they can choose to sit the exam through either:

• the Bocconi Language Centre, if it is a recognized exam centre for the chosen certification;
• an official Examination Centre either in Italy or abroad.

The cost of sitting the certification exam is the responsibility of the individual student.
The Language Centre also offers guidance and information on exam preparation and exam assessment methods and provides a range of materials which are available for use from the language laboratories. This service is offered to all students (those taking Bocconi exams or preparing international certifications).
Students who already hold one of the certifications indicated by the University may ask for the result of the certification exam to be converted into a mark out of thirty and recorded instead of the Bocconi exam.

For students enrolled from the 2004-2005 a.y., for the purpose of registering international certifications in the academic career, certifications are valid for a period of three years from the date they were obtained.

It should be noted that if students hold international certifications of higher levels than the level indicated in the program requirements, these will be recognized when the graduation grade is calculated (see chapter 6 "Awarding of the graduate grade").

In addition to the list of "general" language international certifications published in the appendix "international certifications" the University also recognizes special language certifications for MSc programs published on the website at http://www.unibocconi.it/languagecentre.