Russian Level 3
A post-AS level or equivalent module in Russian language and culture
Module details
- Offered to 3rd and 4th Years
- Thursdays 16.00-18.00
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
A communicative module for students with some prior knowledge of Russian, and of the culture both of Russia and of the countries in which Russian is the second language.
This module aims to:
- Help you revise and consolidate all previously-acquired skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), to the A2+/B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
- Introduce more complex grammatical structures
- Increase your range of vocabulary
- Extend your background knowledge of the Russian language, its culture and people, through the study of a wide range of issues currently addressed in the modern societies where Russian is spoken
- Equip you with important skills for studying and working in Russian-speaking countries
To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following:
- Successfully completed Russian Level 2
- Gained a high grade at Russian GCSE or gained an A/S level qualification in Russian
- Have already achieved the equivalent level by other means
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Respond to and produce simple spoken language in familiar contexts, applying your knowledge of A2+/B1 grammar and vocabulary
- Respond to and produce simple written texts, applying your knowledge of A2+/B1 grammar and vocabulary
- Demonstrate intercultural awareness in the handling of everyday social interactions in Russian and engage with a basic range of digital language-learning tools to support your production
Indicative core content
In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:
- Verbs taking the genitive, including the use of prepositions to express time, the use of the verbal aspects, direct and indirect speech
- The formation of abstract nouns, the use of aspects in the infinitive and conditional sentences
- Verbs taking the accusative, how to express concessional clauses (starting with 'although'), the use of aspect in the imperative
- More verbs taking the accusative, verbs of motion without prefixes, how to express cause and effect relations
- Verbs taking the dative, prefixed verbs of motion and how to express purpose
These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:
- Education
- The world of work
- Leisure activities
- Family and family relationships
- Town, suburbs and country
Learning and teaching approach
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 and group work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and collection of key terms/ideas followed by report to plenum), individual tasks (face-to-face and online); discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop learning and communicative skills. Homework and coursework tasks give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills and to develop awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks, but also supports different learning styles.
All pieces of coursework are marked and returned within two weeks. Marking criteria and revision guidance (how-to guides) are included as needed with each coursework to ensure you are supported to complete your work and aware of assessment expectations. Detailed feedback is provided for each individual section of the coursework, giving the correct answer(s) along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the number of points out of a maximum total, an overall percentage grade is given. Generic feedback on each individual piece of coursework is also provided in class.
Assessment
The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc) are set every week on the VLE, following a flipped classroom approach to ensure face to face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. Independent study and support materials/guidance are also provided so that you can reinforce topics covered at your own pace. Feedback is given for task submitted to ensure you are supported to complete your work and aware of assessment expectations. Summative assessment consists of two pieces of coursework (one per term), two 1-hour timed assessments (tests scheduled at the end of autumn term and at the end of spring term), and one practical i.e. oral examination (at the end of spring term or at the beginning of the summer term). Coursework and written/oral examinations all contribute to the final grade.
- Coursework (15%): Grammar and listening comprehension with short writing (80 words).
- Examination (15%): 1 hour in-class test, including reading comprehension with writing and grammar (100-120 words).
- Coursework (20%): Podcast (length: 2-3 minutes).
- Examination (20%): 1 hour in-class test, including grammar and writing task (120-140 words).
- Practical (30%): Oral exam, approx. 12-15 minutes (dialogue and questions).
Key information
- 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.
- You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.
Coursebook: Olga E. Kagan, Anna S. Kudyma, Frank J. Miller, Russian: From Intermediate to Advanced (Routledge, London and New York, 2015), Chapters 1-5. ISBN: 978-0-415-71227-9 (pbk.)
Additional Materials: Films from the University of Leeds Kontakt series.