Unit name	Post-Beginners Russian
Unit code	UWLP20011
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Ms. McNeilly
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	Beginners Russian
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides further development of students’ knowledge of the target language beyond beginners’ level. It is intended:

• To review and consolidate the essential structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and a range of language structures thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in everyday situations
• To further develop active and passive language skills, including comprehension skills in listening and note taking, productive skills in speaking, reading and writing
• To expand students’ knowledge of the socio-cultural aspects of the regions/countries in which the languages are spoken and to introduce the transferable skills necessary for studying and/or working abroad

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. be able to communicate both orally and in writing with a reasonable degree of accuracy and fluency.
2. be able to work at an intermediate level with authentic material and retrieve necessary information.
3. have acquired knowledge and awareness of the general social and cultural background of the target language
4. be able to understand and interpret written texts at an intermediate level
5. be able to respond to written texts at an intermediate level

Overall, students will attain a level comparable to A2 / B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Teaching Information

3 hours per week

The communicative approach will be used; learners will be involved in a variety of interactive and stimulating activities with maximum use of the target language. This will be supported by e-learning opportunities; a Blackboard site, blogs and use of self-study facilities. Regular formative homework will be set.

Assessment Information

The four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are assigned equal weighting for the purposes of assessment (25% each).

• For reading and writing there is a formal examination in the summer examination period, which comprises 50% of the total mark. This assesses ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

• Listening is assessed by a class test at the end of TB2, which comprises 25% of the total mark. This assesses ILOs 1, 2 and 3.

• Speaking is tested by one oral test at the end of TB2. This assesses ILOs 1, 2 and 3.

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. UWLP20011).

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.