Institute of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Russian (Bern)

Content and Goals

Module 1

When finishing this module, that takes two semesters, the students will have reached level A2/B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all competences (understanding, speaking and writing). They will have learned to talk about well-known topics, to master everyday and certain study or work related linguistic situations, to understand (written and oral) texts and to write their own texts.

Learning outcomes 1. semester

1. reading, analysing and discussing Russian texts, applying the already learned pieces of grammar and vocabulary
2. basics of Russian orthography
3. studying and applying the following vocabulary and grammar topics:

  1. orthography and syntax;
  2. the noun and its gender, the plural form;
  3. the adverb: use and position in a sentence;
  4. the adjective: use and formation of the different forms;
  5. the possessive pronoun: use and formation of the different forms;
  6. the verb: conjugation, aspects, tenses in perfective and imperfective aspect;
  7. modal verbs and predicative adverbs;
  8. reflexive verbs;
  9. rules of the formation and the use of subordinate clauses;
  10. relative pronouns;
  11. verbs of movement;
  12. forms of the imperative.

Learning outcomes 2. semester

1. the Russian case system: declination of nous, adjectives and personal pronouns in all six cases;
2. prepositions and their governments;
3. verbs of movement with prefixes;
4. verbal government;
5. basic rules of the perfective and imperfective aspects, typical uses of the aspects in different situations;
6. choice of aspect in imperative mode;
7. comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives and adverbs;
8. the reflexive pronoun свой;
9. complex sentences: basic categories of subordinate clauses and their uses, direct and indirect speech;
10. temporal adverbs;
11. declination of family names;
12. present and past participle;
13. adverbial participle of the perfective and imperfective verbs.

Module 2

When finishing this module, the students will have reached level B1+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all competences (understanding, speaking and writing). They will have learned to understand complex texts (written and oral), to manage all everyday situations spontaneously and fluently, to participate without effort at discussions and to talk about a vast amount of topics.

Structure of the Course

Module I

This module consists of an intensive Russian course (180 lessons/12 ECTS), that takes 2 semesters and aims at complete beginners, without or with very little knowledge of the Russian language.

The evaluation is based on several exams that are taken throughout the semester and that cover all the different competences.

Module II

This module consists of three Russian courses, Russian II (120 lessons/6 ECTS), Russian III A (120 lessons/6 ECTS) and Russian III B (120 lessons/6 ECTS), that take 2 semesters each.

Lecturer of Russian (Bern)

Lecturer of Russian (Bern)

About the Course

1. semester

In order to accomplish the goals under «Content and Goals», the lecturer explains the theoretical basics of Russian grammar and offers different activities to practice the linguistic competences. The course is geared to the most modern methods of foreign language learning; it is interactive and communicative.

2. semester

The skills learned during the first semester are widened out. Moreover, the students read texts in order to enlarge their vocabulary. After the second semester, the basic course about Russian grammar is complete.

3. semester and further

In order to accomplish the goals under «Content and Goals», the lecturer offers the students a broad variety of activites to pratice their linguistic competences. The course is geared to the most modern methods of foreign language learning; it is interactive and communicative. Working with authentic media (literary, media and specific texts, films, audios and internet sources) is especially prioritised.

Teaching Materials

All teaching materials will be distributed by the lecturer during the lessons.

Audience and Conditions of Participation

In order to attend the Russian courses of our Institute, you have to be enrolled at the University of Bern or Fribourg (additional information can be found on the homepage of the Admissions Office). The Russian courses are extremely time-consuming and primarily aimed at students of slavistics. Apart from the six lessons per week, a lot of homework has to be done. However, we gladly welcome students of other study programs, as long as they can keep up with the pace of the course.

Students without previous knowledge may only start with Russian I in the autumn semester. Students who do have previous knowledge may have the possibility to start at a higher course, only after consulting the lecturer.

If you have any questions regarding entering the Russian II course or one of the Russian III courses or regarding the validation of ECTS points, please contact the lecturer. (Please find the timetable here). For any other questions regarding the Russian courses, please contact our secretary. You can either sign up for the course in advance through KSL, or directly with the lecturer after the first lesson.

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