Learning of languages of the region: Belarusian - level A1

foreign languages

Target level of the course: A1 (basic) according to The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid/pl)

Classroom
Remote learning

The course objective is to gain language proficiency of a selected Central or Eastern European country and to gain familiarity with the regional culture at the A1 (elementary) language learning level as defined by The Common Euro-pean Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assess-ment: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid/pl.

Language learning takes place in a systemic way. Mastering a language as a set of grammatical, syntactic, lexical rules, etc. is accompanied by a linguistic analysis of the very nature of language as a socio-cultural phenomenon. The development of (inter) cultural competences (in line with CEFR and FREPA) plays an important role. Knowledge about the culture of the selected country is also systematically transferred. Therefore, language education takes place in two directions: within general and specialist topics in the field of cultural stud-ies (cultural and cognitive component) and language studies (linguistic com-ponent), both of which are complementary and may overlap in some areas.

Upon completion of the course a student can understand very basic phrases concerning her/himself, the family, immediate concrete surroundings and her/his flat when people speak slowly and clearly.

Knows the Belarussian Cyrillic Alphabet.

In a written text s/he can understand well-known vocabulary, names and sim-ple sentences.

S/he is able to read the information contained, for example, in advertisements, on posters and in catalogues.

S/he can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to re-peat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help her/him formulate what s/he is trying to say.

S/he can ask and answer simple questions in areas of everyday life, immediate need or on very familiar topics.

S/he can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where s/he lives, where s/he comes from and people s/he knows.

He can write a short, simple text, e.g. holiday greetings.

He can fill out the form with personal data, state nationality, occupation, ad-dress, e.g. in a hotel registration form.

The course content (general language): me and my relatives, friends, acquaint-ances; Language of instruction during the class; Names of countries, nationali-ties, professions, places, home equipment (furniture etc.); Weather phenomena – names and descriptions; A city – offices, services, public places and public transport; Parts of a body and a description of a human; Journeys and their organization; Age, hobby; Time/date, four seasons; Usual forms of handling and performed at the moment; Schedule of a day; Plans for the future, previ-ous experience; Family relations, school, work.

The course content related to culture (optional, can be extended to topics of interest to the group): Small talk, Language (dialectal differences), Customs, Real-world information, Social and cultural events, Holidays, Multicultural-ism, Cultural differences, Cultural preferences Linear, Leisure and entertain-ment, Apartment etc.

Student workload includes:

Classroom participation – 90 hours (3 ECTS)

Preparing for classes – 90 hours (3 ECTS)

The coursebook: Alesia Litwinouskaja, Hleb Łabadzienka, 20 krokau da beła-ruskaj mowy. Minsk 2016, dictionaries, additional materials provided by the lecturer, recordings etc

A student is practicing without having to fear his/her speech communication on the elementary level.

On completing the course, the graduate:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. makes use of knowledge, acquired during the course, of culture of a given linguistic region;

2. a graduate knows and understands at an elementary level the sophisti-cated nature of a language;

3. one has elementary vocabulary necessary to manage in language envi-ronment (See: Full description);

4. one has elementary knowledge about the description of a language sys-tem;

5. one knows selected issues (See: Full description).

SKILLS:

1. one can communicate in simple and routine tasks connected with topics included in Full description;

2. one can recognize familiar words and messages in selected, simple ma-terials of different types as well as in verbal communication;

3. one understands information contained in selected, simple materials of everyday life;

4. one presents information in oral and in written form using certain lan-guage constructions.

COMPETENCES:

1. one is able to collaborate in pair as well as in a group of people;

2. one knows learning strategies and understands the need for lifelong learning;

3. one knows basic social norms and their relevant verbal and nonverbal reactions which are obligatory in the definite cultural and linguistic ar-ea;

4. one detects cultural differences and demonstrates the tolerance for users of other languages.

In keeping with the course goals, the graduate will acquire skills:

1) knows and understands in an elementary way the comprehensive nature of the language, with particular emphasis on the cultural context of Belarus (K1_W09, K2_W09);

2) can search, select, analyze and use the information he needs from various sources (K1_U01, K2_U01);

3) is able to use the Belarusian language at level A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (K1_U09, K2_U09);

4) can use modern communication and information technologies in his work (K1_U11, K2_U11);

5) is ready to critically evaluate his knowledge, constantly learn and supplement the acquired knowledge (K1_K01, K2_K01);

6) is ready to communicate effectively and live in society, including a society that is culturally different from his own, to work in a group, to cope with typical professional situations, to verify his views through substantive (K1_K02, K2_K02).

Eclectic method with focus on communication. Task-based approach with an emphasis on oral communication. Tasks that develop the ability to conduct discourse in an intercultural setting. Individual, team and group work, dialogue, language games, role playing games, short presentations, multimedia exercises.