ILP : Russian language and culture
Title
ILP Russian language and culture
Domain
Intellectual development
Total sessions offered
6
Mode of Tuition
Tutorial
Teaching Hours
2 hours per session
ILP offered in
Term 1
Language of instruction
English
Maximum number
of participants
30 to 35
Minimum number
of participants
15-17
Number of ILPs
12 ILPs
Requirements
Must attend 80% of all sessions (i.e. 5 sessions at least) to qualify for 12 ILPs
General description
The “Russian language and culture” ILP focuses on introducing students to Russian culture and to key language items, useful as
general knowledge references or if planning to travel in Russia.
Aims
The main aims are to provide a useful and enjoyable course for students who are interested in Russian culture and those who plan
to travel there; it is also aimed at furthering students’ understanding of cultures and languages in line with the University’s mission
as a liberal arts university. The emphasis is on providing students with an enjoyable, stimulating and interactive learning experience
by creating opportunities for them to discover the new culture and simple but key language in specific contexts.
Desired Outcomes
At the end of each session, students will:
-
have gained an understanding of aspects of Russian culture and therefore, they will have gained a better
understanding of the world
-
have learned useful language items which they could use if they travel to Russia or which will be useful for general
knowledge references
Measurement of outcomes
Short quizzes will be organised at the end of every session about the information/language covered in the session. These quizzes
are intended to give students some feedback on their engagement with the session’s material by measuring how much they can
remember from the session.
Recommended Readings:
References
Антонова В.Е., Нахабина М.М., Сафронова М.В., Толстых А.А. Дорога в Россию. Учебник русского языка (элементарный
уровень) (Road to Russia 1 走遍俄罗斯.1) 北京：外语教学与研究出版社, 2007.
Караванова Н. Б. Иллюстрированная энциклопедия: РОССИЯ / Н. Б. Караванова; [пер. А. А. Караванов] – М.: Эксмо, 2009. 304 с.: ил. (Karavanova N. B. The Illustrated Encyclopaedia: RUSSIA. - Moscow: EKSMO, 2009)
On-line references
LANGUAGE:
Russian For Everyone http://www.russianforeveryone.com/
Listen 2 Russian http://www.listen2russian.com
Time to Speak Russian http://www.russkiymir.org/en/education/time/
A Touch of Russian – A beginner's guide to the language http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/russian/soap/
CIVILISATION
http://www.ruslang.com/
http://russiatoday.strana.ru/en/profile/lang/rus/
Syllabus: “Russian language and culture” ILP
Session
1. Russia between East
and West.
Content outline
Facts and figures.
National symbols.
Russian geography and nature
Russian national character.
Major historic events.
Cultural icons.
Cyrillic alphabet.
Your name in Russian.
Use Russian to make friends.
2. Russian
traditions and
customs
Origin of Russian nation. Culture of
Slavs.
From the cradle to the grave:
milestones in the life of a Russian.
Russian religious and traditional
festivals.
Russian national holidays.
Family traditions. Russian concept of
family.
Being a guest in Russia.
Structures
Russian alphabet.
I am + name.
My name is + name. What is
your name?
Nice to meet you! Nice to meet
you too!
I am a + occupation.
I am from + country, city.
Where are you from?
I like… . Do you like…?
I have… . Do you have…?
How to say … in Russian?
Negation.
How are you? I am fine.
(Reminder: Russian alphabet.)
Numbers.
This is my
Mum/Granny/sister/aunt. Her
name is… .
This is my
Dad/Granddad/brother/uncle.
His name is… .
She/he is a + occupation.
I am… years old.
She/he is... years old.
How old are you?
How old is she/he?
Happy birthday!
Merry Christmas!
Activities
Opening quiz
Mini role-plays:
“How do you do?”
“I like this!”
Revision quiz.
Materials
Map of Russia
National
symbols.
Photographs.
Hand-out.
Matching game:
matching festivals
with their cultural
symbols.
Mini role-plays:
“Family photo”
“Happy birthday”.
Singing Russian
birthday song.
Dancing Russian
name day dance.
Revision quiz.
Objects and
photographs
associated with
Russian
customs,
traditions and
festivals.
Videos about
Russian
traditions,
festivals and
ceremonies.
3. Russian
for food
lovers
Russian cuisine.
Russian climate and nature and
traditional food. Staple food.
Table manners.
Eating habits of Russian
people.
At a restaurant.
4. Going
shopping in
Russia
Fashion in Russia.
Famous brands and shops.
Types of shops.
Markets.
“Must buy” souvenirs.
5. ‘The
Orange
Mood’ or
Trends in the youth culture.
Famous bands and singers.
Modern Russian cinematograph.
Happy New Year!
Christ is risen! Truly, He is
risen!
(Reminder: Russian alphabet &
numbers)
I am hungry.
I am thirsty.
What is this? This is … .
Do you have… ?
What would you like?
I would like… , please.
Thank you!
I am allergic to…
I cannot eat… .
I like… . Do you like… ?
The bill, please!
(Reminder: Russian alphabet &
numbers)
Colours.
Where is… ?
Do you have… ?
I need… .
May I have a look… ?
How much is this… ?
May I try it on?
I would like to buy two, please.
Do you accept credit cards?
Where can I exchange money?
(Reminder: Russian alphabet.)
What music do you like?
I like… . I dislike… .
Mini role-play: “At a
restaurant”.
Matching game.
Cooking a Russian
dish.
Revision quiz.
Photographs of
Russian food
and staple food
products.
Russian recipes.
Products and
equipment
required to cook
a Russian dish.
Opening quiz.
Mini role-plays:
“I would like to buy…”
“Oh, it is too
expensive!”
“Not my size”
Role-play:
“At a shop”
Revision quiz.
Photographs of
Russian
souvenirs.
Examples of
Russian
currency –
rouble.
Opening quiz.
Mini role-play:
“Talking about music
Russian songs
and music.
Trailers and
Russian
Russian “stars”.
contemporary
culture
6. Tips for
traveling in
Russia
Main destination.
Moscow.
Saint Petersburg.
Golden Ring.
Trans-Siberian Railway. Russian
long-distance and sub-urban trains.
City transport.
Moscow underground.
Taxi.
Travelling etiquette.
“Must know”
Safety tips.
At the airport.
At the railway station.
Who is your favourite
singer/actor?
What’s the name of this song?
This song is called… .
What does it mean?
It means… .
Do you have a hobby? Yes, I
like… .
(Reminder: Russian alphabet.)
Where is… ?
Where am I?
What is this street called?
Which station is this?
How to get to… ?
Does this bus/tram
Is it far? Is it close?
Please take me to… .
I would like to buy a ticket to… .
How much is it?
Sorry, this is my seat.
Is this my stop? Yes, this is
your stop.
and films”
Revision quiz.
episodes from
films.
Photographs.
Opening quiz.
Mini role-plays:
“Asking the way”
“Map”
“Taking the bus”
“Buying a train ticket”
“ Filling the
immigration card”
Revision quiz.
Photographs.
Useful websites.
Hand-out with
traveling tips.
Samples of a
tickets.
Videos.
*Note: The schedule proposed above is tentative. It may be modified according to student progress and time available