Studying at York
Russian Language and Cultures: Intermediate - LAN00092H
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
Module summary
Learning a language can be a transformative and enriching experience. Both the process and the outcomes are beneficial at various levels, from increased neuroplasticity to improving your overall academic performance, fostering empathy and intercultural awareness, and enhancing your career opportunities. This course is aimed at students who already have some knowledge of Russian. Over the course of a semester, it will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary for students to engage in everyday conversations and with short texts. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at intermediate level.
Related modules
Russian Language and Cultures: Lower Intermediate or equivalent.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
| B | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
The module aims are to:
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further develop the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking);
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to improve student’s communicative competence;
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to understand and produce texts on topics which are familiar and of personal interest;
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to give the students further insight into everyday life in the Russian speaking countries.
Students will engage, individually and in groups, in activities and tasks emphasising three core communicative skills:
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reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);
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production activities (oral and written production);
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interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).
The mediums of instruction are Russian and English.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
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Understand straightforward factual texts with a satisfactory level of comprehension.
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Produce short, complex texts on topics of interest and give and justify their opinion.
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Summarise, report and give their opinion about accumulated factual information and produce very brief reports in a standard conventionalised format.
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Express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
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Understand the main points on familiar matters regularly encountered.
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Engage in spontaneous conversation and give reasons and opinions.
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Reflect upon language use and justify linguistic choices.
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Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and resources.
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Identify and apply adequate strategies to prevent or overcome breakdowns in interaction and production activities.
Module content
Topics may include:
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Travel and tourism;
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Healthy lifestyle;
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Russian cities;
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Social media;
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Education in Russia or home country;
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Cultures, traditions and customs.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
The written exam will include one or two questions aimed at assessing students’ ability to reflect on language use and justify their responses and choices when using the language (in English) and a task related to students’ ability to monitor their own learning.
The oral exam will include strategic competence in the target language among the assessment criteria in production and interaction activities.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
Module feedback
Feedback on exams and essays as per University regulations.
Indicative reading
Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.