Prospectus

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Russian - Elementary

Course
2013-2014

Tag(s)

GC

Admission Requirements

Russian – Beginners, or permission from the course instructor.

Description

Elementary Russian is a Russian language course for students with knowledge of the language on A1 level of CEFR. The course will provide students with further knowledge of Russian grammar and vocabulary usage (idiomatic approach) and aims to further develop language skills in grammar, speaking, listening, reading and writing. An important aspect of the course will be the cultural knowledge about Russia. The course provides the knowledge to communicate and understand Russian at A2-B1 level.

Course Objectives

The required competences for a A2-B1 level language can be described as follows: the student can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance, can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Mode of Instruction

The course has an interactive and communicative way of learning language. Course contents are grammar practice together with vocabulary building and developing the skills with class activities. The classes will be highly interactive and students will often work in pairs or groups to practice their language skills. During the course, students will give oral presentations.

The course is based on coursebooks, materials prepared by the instructor and the Internet. A blackboard site will be available with essential documents i.e. planning, hand-outs, additional exercises and links to various educative websites.

A substantial amount of self-study is required and the students are expected to prepare the classes. Attendance and participation in the class is required as well and will count towards the final mark.

Assessment

To be confirmed in course syllabus:

Attendance and participation: 10% (ongoing)
Listening comprehension exam: 15% (Weeks 4 +12)
Reading comprehension exam: 20% (Weeks 5 + 13)
Oral presentation + speaking exam: 20% (Weeks 5 + 13)
Written exam: vocabulary/grammar/creative writing: 25% (Weeks 7 + 15)
Compositions: 10% (Weeks 8 + 16)

Literature

Compulsory Textbooks:
Colloquial Russian 2, Svetlana Le Fleming/ Susan Kay, Routledge 2003, ISBN 9780415261166

Previously used (A1):

  • Passport to Russia 1, Textbook(+CD), Louwerse, N. / Lubotsky, L. / Meijman, D. / Pluimgraaff, H. Pegasus,paperback, 2011, ISBN 9789061433576

  • cPassport to Russia 1, Workbook, Louwerse, N. / Lubotsky, L. / Meijman, D. / Pluimgraaff, H. Pegasus,paperback, 2011, ISBN 9789061433583

Recommended:

  • Oxford Russian Dictionary, Marcus Wheeler, Boris Ottokar Unbegaun, Paul Falla, Oxford University Press, 2007, ISBN 9780198614203

Any other pocket dictionary will be sufficient for Russian A1:

  • Russian-English, Langenscheidt, Pocket books Us, 2009. ISBN 9781439142370

  • Russian Berlitz Pocket Dictionary, Berlitz Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 9789812469458

  • The Pocket Oxford Russian Dictionary, Jessie Coulson, Nigel Rankin, Della Thompson, Oxford University Press, 2000, ISBN 978-0198601500

Contact Information

m.e.avaguimova@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Weekly Overview

Week 1: Chapter 1. Repetition
Week 2: Chapter 2. Transport
Week 3: Chapter 2. Transport
Week 4: Chapter 3 Tourism + Listening exam
Week 5: Presentations and reading exam.
Week 6: Chapter 3. Tourism
Week 7: Chapter 4. Migration + Writing exam
Week 8: Reading week
Week 9: Chapter 4. Migration
Week 10: Chapter 5. Sport
Week 11: Chapter 5. Sport
Week 12: Chapter 6. Cultural life in Russia + Listening exam
Week 13: Speaking exams + reading exam.
Week 14: Chapter 6. Cultural life in Russia
Week 15: Repetition + Writing exam.
Week 16: Reading week

Preparation for first session

Repetition of the first semester’s program including chapters of the book; finish chapters 10-15 self-study.