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Russian Language and Cultures: Lower Intermediate - LAN00115H

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  • 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 have some knowledge of Russian. Over the course of a semester, it will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to learn Russian and take part in everyday routine exchanges. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at lower intermediate level and provide a foundation for further study.

Related modules

Russian Language and Culture Elementary 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 further develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing

  • to develop interactive skills in familiar situations

  • to develop competence in a range of predictable everyday tasks

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in activities and tasks emphasising three core communicative skills:

  1. reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);

  2. production activities (oral and written production);

  3. interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and Russian.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Understand short texts dealing with everyday topics (e.g. lifestyle, hobbies, sports, weather) and read short, simple stories involving familiar, concrete situations described in everyday language.

  • Produce simple texts on familiar topics and give their impressions and opinions (e.g. lifestyles and culture, stories), using basic everyday vocabulary and expressions.

  • Give a short presentation and to manage simple, routine exchanges of ideas and information on familiar topics.

  • Recognise basic cultural conventions associated with everyday social exchanges (e.g. different greetings, celebrations, festivals, social/regional traditions, etc) and apply them appropriately.

  • Reflect upon language use and justify linguistic choices.

  • Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and resources.

  • Identify and apply adequate strategies to prevent or overcome breakdowns in interaction and production activities.

Module content

Topics may include:

  • professions & future career aspirations;

  • describing places and people;

  • daily routine & telling the time;

  • food: national cuisine & healthy lifestyle;

  • expressing opinions;

  • talking about the past & planning for future;

  • sports and leisure activities;

  • travel, holidays & places of interest;

  • hometown and capital cities.

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.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.