Russian 2 for finalists (LL349)
Summary
Level
Pre-requisite: prior knowledge of Russian
- A1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- or GCSE level
- or Language Centre Russian 1
- or equivalent
Main Objectives
- to understand and communicate in familiar and routine situations, using frequently used expressions
- to develop strategies for language learning
- to research, analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, enhancing cultural knowledge, as well as intercultural and cross-cultural competencies
- to achieve A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Credits
30 CREDITS
Teaching and Learning
- One weekly blended session for 21 weeks consisting of a two-hour face-to-face class on campus
- Four online workshops, each lasting ninety minutes, spread across terms 1 and 2
- Some independent study will also be set
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 300 hours, which averages over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle (a virtual learning environment) to facilitate this.
Assessment
Term 1: one interim test (10%)
Term 3: one reading/writing test (35%) + one speaking test (40%) + one independent project (15%)
Main Tutor
Elena Bolton
Elena.Bolton@warwick.ac.uk
Course Texts
- Time for Russian (Русский сезон): Russian language textbook. Nakhabina M.M., Antonova V.E. - St. Petersburg: Zlatoust, 2015. ISBN: 978-5-86547-538-5
Course Description
This module will give students the chance to spend some time learning and reinforcing the basics of the Russian language. It will offer an opportunity for students not specialising in foreign languages to improve their communicative competence in Russian as a supplement to their studies in other spheres. Information regarding contemporary Russian society and customs will be provided through the audio-visual and written support used for the module. The course aims to improve students' critical understanding of cultural contexts, develop their skills in effective resource management and autonomous learning, and enhance their analytical and reflective abilities in cross-cultural settings.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- apply a basic knowledge of grammar appropriate to the level
- apply strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- gain insight into everyday life in the relevant countries
- understand the main points in messages and announcements, and understand spoken language in areas of immediate personal relevance
- interact about familiar topics and activities
- write simple texts giving background information and relating to areas of immediate need
- critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies
- conduct and present independent research into Russophone culture(s) and society(ies)
- self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and manage resources
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 Basic user (waystage) of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).
Syllabus
The syllabus will include the following:
Topics
This module will cover items such as: professions & future career aspirations, describing places and people, daily routine & telling the time, food: national cuisine & healthy lifestyle, expressing opinions, talking about the past & planning for future, sports and leisure activities, travel, holidays & places of interest, hometown and a capital city.
Grammar
This module will provide an introduction to fundamental features of Russian grammar and essential basic structures, making it possible to function in a range of everyday situations using the present, past and future tenses (imperfective), use of cases and declension of nouns, adjectives & pronouns, verbs of motion (introduction), reflexive verbs, adverbs, comparatives and superlatives, conjunctions.
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- written and spoken communication
- strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- strategies for self-directed and autonomous learning
- an understanding of diverse cultural contexts and an ability to engage with and communicate within them thoughtfully and respectfully
- intercultural awareness, professionalism, digital literacy, teamwork, problem-solving
Can count towards the Warwick Award
