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RUS-90004 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

RUS-90004 - Russian 4
Coordinator: Alison Long Tel: +44 1782 7 33146
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733960

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Russian 3 or equivalent (e.g. CEFR A1+).

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The module will build on skills acquired in Russian 3 or equivalent (e.g. CEFR Level A1+) and expand students’ vocabulary base and ability to interact in everyday situations in Russian. You will consolidate and broaden your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar in class, as well as practise communicative skills.
The topics covered in this module include giving and understanding directions, making polite requests, asking for permission, discussing family and educational background in more detail, expressing likes, dislikes and wishes, and talking about travel plans and future intentions. As the focus of this module is on communication skills, a large proportion of class time will be dedicated to oral work — speaking in groups and pairs through a variety of question-and-answer and role play exercises. You will also develop your reading and writing skills in Russian, including further practice with the Cyrillic alphabet.
The course material will provide a clear structure to the module and will be supplemented by regular online and video work, grammar exercises, and other resources. Aspects of contemporary Russian culture and society will be explored throughout the course via texts and audio-visual materials.

Aims
This module builds on the foundations established in Russian 3, continuing to develop students’ competence in the target language with a focus on improving communication in familiar, everyday contexts. Students will consolidate core grammatical structures, expand their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of the Cyrillic alphabet.
The module also introduces further aspects of culture-specific behaviours and everyday life in the Russian-speaking world. The module also encourages greater learner autonomy and reflective language use.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and understand basic sentences related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. personal information, studies, hobbies, etc.) when people speak slowly and clearly: 2,3
Read and extract key information from simple sentences and texts related to areas of personal relevance, written in Russian, and translate them to English: 1,2
Interact in familiar situations, asking and answering questions in areas of immediate need, being able to ask for repetition or clarification, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly: 3
Write sentences and texts related to areas of personal relevance in Russian: 1,2
Understand and use simple grammatical structures and rules and compare them to the English language: 1,2,3
Recognise and act upon cultural differences as encountered in everyday situations and demonstrate knowledge of common traditions in Russia: 1,2,3

Study hours

22 hours of contact time in class.
40 hours assessment preparation and completion.
88 hours guided independent study.

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form.
Students are only permitted to take one Russian language module per semester.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 30%
Class Test
Students will complete an in-class test (maximum duration 45 minutes) to assess competence in receptive and productive skills. Tasks may include writing a short text in the target language, undertaking a dictation, translating a passage, or completing vocabulary and grammar exercises. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

2: Flexible Class Test weighted 20%
Flexible Online KLE Test
Students will complete a series of online exercises on the KLE platform (maximum duration 60 minutes) designed to assess reading comprehension, listening, grammar and vocabulary knowledge and writing skills in the target language. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

3: Speaking Assessment weighted 50%
Spoken Interaction Assessment
A 6-10 minute Spoken Interaction Assessment designed to assess learners’ competence in speaking (production), listening (reception) and conversation (interaction). Tasks may include a presentation, role play, or description of a visual or audiovisual prompt, followed by a question-and-answer section. Where assessments are conducted in pairs or groups, each student will be assessed individually and awarded separate marks.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025