Russian Level 3

On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:

• enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar or pertinent to your life producing connected and comprehensible spoken language
• respond and produce written texts of moderate complexity applying your knowledge of A2+/B1 grammar and vocabulary
• demonstrate intercultural awareness in your handling of routine social interactions and in your use of language
• independently use a basic range of digital language learning tools to support your production and expand your knowledge

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:

• Verbs taking the genitive
• prepositions to express time
• verbal aspects
• direct and indirect speech
• abstract nouns and their formation
• aspects in the infinitive and conditional sentences
• verbs taking the accusative and the dative
• expressing concession, demands, purpose, cause and effect
• verbs of motion without prefixes
• prefixed verbs of motion
• use of который and the Participle

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

• Education and science
• The world of work
• Leisure activities
• Global problems
• Life in cities and the countryside
• Travelling and living in other countries
• Customs and traditions

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair work, group work and individual tasks; discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop all communicative skills.

Weekly preparation tasks set in the VLE give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge at your pace and to develop awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. The module follows a flipped classroom approach to ensure face to face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks but also supports different learning preferences. Written and verbal feedback is given for task submitted to ensure you are supported to complete your work and are aware of assessment expectations.  

Summative assessment consists of 2 pieces of coursework (one per term), one 1-hour timed assessment (test scheduled at the end of the spring term), and one practical i.e., oral examination (at the end of the spring term or at the beginning of the summer term). Coursework and written/oral examinations all contribute to the final grade. 

• Coursework (20%): Mid-autumn term, task-based pack: reading, listening, speaking
• Coursework (20%): Beginning of Term 2, task-based pack: reading comprehension, grammar and writing (approx. 250 words)
• Examination (30%) :End of spring term: 1 hour in-class test on the virtual learning environment including reading and writing (approx. 200-230 words by hand)
• Practical (30%): Oral examination in spring or summer term including a 4-5 min. prepared presentation and open conversation on topics covered in class (total duration of the examination: c. 15 min)

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Coursebook

Russian: From Intermediate to Advanced, Olga E. Kagan, Anna S. Kudyma, Frank J. Miller, (Routledge, London and New York, 2015), Chapters 1-5. ISBN: 978-0-415-71227-9 (paperback).

Additional materials

Films from the University of Leeds Kontakt series.