Tag(s)
GC
Admission Requirements
Russian – Elementary. Students that do not meet this prerequisite should contact the instructor regarding the required competencies before course allocation.
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
Assessment: Listening comprehension exam
Percentage: 15%
Deadline: Week 4 and 12
Assessment: Reading comprehension exam
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Weeks 5 and 13
Assessment: Oral presentation + discussion
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Week 5 and 13
Assessment: Written exam: vocabulary/grammar/creative writing
Percentage: 25%
Deadline: Week 7 and 15
Assessment: Compositions
Percentage: 10%
Deadline: Week 8 and 16
Assessment: Attendance & participation
Percentage: 10%
Deadline: Ongoing
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
Passport 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:mailto:m.e.avaguimova@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Chapter 11 and 12. Our house/Today is your day.
Week 2: Chapter 14. What time is it?/ Chapter 1 Russia and Russian language
Week 3: Chapter 2. Transport
Week 4: Chapter 3 Tourism + Listening exam
Week 5: Presentations and reading exam.
Week 6: Chapter 4 Migration
Week 7: Chapter 6 Cultural life in Russia +Writing exam
Week 8: Reading week
Week 9: Chapter 7 The mass media
Week 10: Chapter 9 Demography
Week 11: Chapter 10 Education
Week 12: Chapter 11 Russian society + Listening exam
Week 13: Presentations and the reading exam.
Week 14: Chapter 12 The health service
Week 15: Chapter 14 The internet + Writing exam.
Week 16: Reading week
Preparation for first session
Read chapter 11 and 12 of the Pasport to Russia handbook and repeat the already learned material (grammar and vocabulary).