By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• respond to and produce a basic range of spoken language in very familiar contexts applying your knowledge of A1 grammar and vocabulary;
• respond to and produce very simple written texts in the Cyrillic alphabet applying your knowledge of A1 grammar and vocabulary;
• demonstrate intercultural awareness in the handling of everyday social interactions in Russian;
• engage with a basic range of digital language learning tools to support your production.   
  

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

• the present tense of the first and second conjugations;
• the imperfective and perfective aspects of verbs;
• indeclinable nouns;
• the nominative, accusative, genitive and prepositional singular of nouns;
• the nominative, accusative and genitive plural of nouns;
• modifiers;
• animate and inanimate nouns and their pronouns and adjectives;
• the numbers 1-5,000;
• the interrogative particle li.

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

• personal details;
• college and subjects studied;
• parents and family members;
• meal-times and staple foods;
• hobbies and sports;
• interests in literature and music;
• holidays;
• career plans.

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 learners are supported to complete their 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.

• Coursework (15%): Script, guided writing & integrated grammar.
• Examination (20%): 1 hour written examination including grammar, reading and guided writing (approx 80 words).
• Coursework (20%): Listening & comprehension.
• Examination (20%): 1 hour written examination including integrated grammar and free writing (approx 120 words).
• Practical (25%): Oral exam including presentation and unprepared dialogue (approx. 10-12 minutes).

• 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:  Anna S. Kudyma, Frank J. Miller, Olga E. Kagan, Beginner’s Russian with Interactive Online Workbook. A Basic Russian Course  (Hippocrene Books, Inc., New York, 2010, 5^th printing, 2015), Chapters 1-11. ISBN-13: 978-0-7818-1251-1 (pbk.)

Additional materials: The instructional film General'skaia dochka (made in Russia and produced by S.D. Cioran and Alexander Tarkaev, McMaster University, Hamiliton, Ont.)