This course has a twofold objective: to improve the students’ ability to express themselves in a variety of contexts and to sensitize them to the sociocultural aspects underlying any communicative exchange. The main varieties of English in speech and writing will be examined with reference to their constituent levels: phonology, lexicon, grammar and semantics. The concepts of genre, discourse conventions and register will be exemplified through samples of real-life English: political speeches, news articles, advertisements and commercials, letters and emails, interviews and conversations will be closely analysed with a view to identifying their conventional features and uncovering their hidden connotative and ideological meanings. The analysis of English language in use aims to promote the learners’ awareness of discourse features and to consequently develop their interactional skills in English on the assumption that competence and performance are closely linked. As an integral part of the course, language classes with Dr. Margaret Russell will provide the students with the opportunity to develop their practical language skills.