Study Guide

Objective

On completion of the course you can pronounce, read and write (by hand) Russian. You will cope orally with simple and routine situations, for example, introduce yourself and others, and shortly describe your own background and immediate needs. You can answer simple questions about yourself and ask similar questions of others using polite language appropriate to the language culture. You know how to write short, simple messages: a small personal biography, a description of the day's activities, a postcard from your travels and a short description of the services available in the locality. You can understand short, simple written messages on the topics of the course. You understand the core content of short dialogues presented in a clear manner.

Content

You will study and learn the basics of Russian both in class and independently.

In class, you will practice small everyday situations with a partner, in small groups and independently. The activities will strengthen your speaking and listening skills. In addition to face-to-face learning, you will complete weekly reading, writing and information retrieval tasks, where you will apply the skills acquired in face-to-face learning. You will also reflect on your own studying and learning.

Communication activities
- Giving and asking personal details: names, nationality, occupation, age, family, language skills, hobbies, opinions and preferences
- Asking about and describing services and products: availability, location, opening hours, features, prices
- Basic telephone phrases
- Going to the café and making small purchases
- Characteristics of Russian communication culture: using ты/вы, addressing people and using names

Grammar
- Russian alphabet: pronunciation and intonation
- Reading and writing (by hand)
- Gender of nouns and adjectives
- Personal pronouns, possessive pronouns and possessive structure
- Prepositional and accusative singular of nouns
- Singular and plural nominative forms of nouns and adjectives
- Adverbs
- Verb infinitives and present tense
- Verb of motion to go
- Numbers 1-199
- Expressions of time: times (official usage) and days of the week

Location and time

Wärtsilä Campus, Karjalankatu 3

Materials

-Alestalo, M. 2020. Kafe Piter 1 - venäjää taitotasolle A1. Helsinki: Finn Lectura. Please note that only this edition or later is used.
-Moodle material compiled by the teacher.

Teaching methods

52 hours of face-to-face learning (online classes), plus assignments and self-study.

Exam schedules

The first exams of the autumn semester will be scheduled after the start of the course.

Examinations for the autumn 2024 implementation may be retaken twice in the spring 2025 semester.

Completion alternatives

If you have previously acquired similar knowledge (see course content and objectives), please contact the teacher before the start of the course for a possible AHOT demonstration of competence. In your e-mail, please explain how and where you have studied/learnt Russian and attach any supporting documents.

Student workload

The scope of the course is 5 credits, or approximately 135 hours: approximately 52 hours of face-to-face work online, the rest distance and self-study.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Three written exams (20% each), oral test (20%), so-called continuous assessment (20%).
Successful completion of the course requires active participation in face-to-face work, completion of learning assignments and passing the written examinations and the oral test.
Partial completion of the course is not possible

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

You participate in conversations but your communication is intermittent and slow. You try to circumvent communication difficulties by using non-linguistic means or by resorting to other languages. You need a lot of help from a speaking partner. Further practice is needed to improve your vocabulary, knowledge of structures and pronunciation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

You can speak in an understandable way and can cope reasonably well with the situations you participate in. The help of a speaking partner is needed. There is occasional hesitation in your communication. Your use of vocabulary, structures and pronunciation needs improvement.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

You are be able to express yourself fluently and take part in oral discussions on the topics covered. You actively participate in situations. You can use appropriate language and a variety of idiomatic expressions in different situations. Your pronunciation is almost faultless.