Unit information: Intermediate Czech Language in 2021/22

Unit name	Intermediate Czech Language
Unit code	RUSS20043
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Ms. McNeilly
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	RUSS10015
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Russian
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will build on existing kowledge of Czech grammar and vocabulary, and active and passive skills developed in the first year of Czech study, with the central objective of improving freedom, range and accuracy in written and spoken Czech. Students will revise and deepen their knowledge of the grammar in the context of oral and written communication, and will develop translation skills from and into Czech. Particular emphasis will be placed on vocabulary-building. Texts will be chosen on the basis of six to eight topics to be agreed with students at the beginning. Students will be encouraged to find and present texts themselves.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be more confident in their ability:

1. to produce accurate and fluent spoken and written language in a variety of registers;
2. to understand written and spoken language studied at a more sophisticated level and
3. to put their skills into practice during their time abroad.

Overall, students will attain a level comparable to B2/C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF).

Teaching Information

Learners will be involved in a variety of synchronous activities, mostly interactive with maximum use of the target language, but with attention devoted also to explaining the fundamentals of the Czech language structures. These activities will be supported and amplified by asynchronous e-learning opportunities and self-directed exercises

Assessment Information

• Portfolio of 1000 words of written work to test Composition – 25% - assesses ILOs 2, 3 and 4
• In class presentation / speaking exercise to assess Oral - 20% - assesses ILOs 1, 3, 4 and 5
• Two submitted pieces of translation coursework to test Translation into English - 25% - assesses ILOs 3, 4 and 5
• Timed online exam – to include Reading Comprehension / Guided Writing / Grammar / Listening – 30% - assesses ILOs 2, 3, 4 and 5

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. RUSS20043).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.