School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Slavonic Studies

Polish Level 1 course code : 1KFB
(40 credits)

(September 2007 to June 2008)
(normally five hours per week at times to be arranged)
(Course Convener: Dr John Bates)

ENROLMENT MEETING: Thursday 20 September 2007 at 11.00 am, in Room 133, Level 1, Hetherington Building, Bute Gardens.

It is, however, desirable that students taking the course should have recent experience of learning a foreign language. They should normally have reached the standard of SQA Higher or its equivalent in either a classical or a modern foreign language, though careful consideration will be given to those who cannot meet this requirement. It is part of the regulations for this course that all prospective students should be interviewed by a member of the Department. All students, especially those intending to take Honours in Polish or in Central and East European Studies, are strongly recommended to take at least two modules in Slavonic Studies in their first two years.

Aims
This course is intended to provide students with:

1. a sound basic knowledge of the Polish language and the more important fundamentals of Polish grammar;
2. basic speaking, reading, writing and listening skills in Polish;
3. an active vocabulary of c.1,000 words and a passive vocabulary of c.2000 words;
4. access to a range of learning resources for the purpose of studying Polish language and culture.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of the most frequently encountered endings for nouns, adjectives and verbs, as well as an acquaintance with some of the more complicated points of grammar, such as aspect of the verb;
2. translate short unseen texts from Polish;
3. ask questions concerning language usage with confidence and seek effective help from grammars and other reference sources;
4. read and understand within their cultural context a variety of short texts and cope with basic material relating to current affairs, where necessary using appropriate reference works;
5. make themselves understood in basic everyday communicative situations.

• a) Core language instruction: two hours per week. Students are required to work through exercises to implement and practise their understanding of the rules and irregularities. Students will also be encouraged to use computer, audio and video materials to improve their language skills. By the end of the course students should be able to express themselves both orally and in writing on a variety of topics at an everyday, practical level.
• b) Comprehension class: one hour weekly is devoted to the application of grammar and reading comprehension exercises. These classes will involve the writing of short essays in Polish, role play and other communicative games.
• c) Conversation class: there is a weekly oral class with the Polish Lektor, to encourage students to use Polish actively, based on audio and visual aids. Appropriate attention will be devoted to pronunciation and reading practice, as well as to the preparation of topics for the Oral Examinations.
• d) General grammar class: There will be one hour per week for all students in Level 1 Czech, Polish and Russian which will introduce students to the basic principles of grammar relating to the Slavonic languages. NB: There will be one Progress Test based on this material.

• Donald Pirie, et al. Kierunki. Foundation Course in Polish. (provided by the Department);
• Bolesław Mazur, Colloquial Polish, London & New York 2001
• Nigel Gotteri and Joanna Michalak-Gray, Teach Yourself Polish, London, 1997;
• Stanisław Mędak, Chcę mówić po polsku, Warszawa, 1997;
• Władysław Miodunka, Let's Learn Polish, Part 1, Warszawa, 1996;
• Janusz Kucharczyk, Zaczynam mówić po polsku, Łódź, 1993;
• Pocket Oxford/PWN Polish Dictionary, 2005.

ASSESSMENT
Students should note that a system of mixed-mode assessment operates in Polish Level 1.

The assessment for this course will be made up of the following elements:

1. Progress Tests: throughout the session, eight short progress tests will be held at intervals of approximately two weeks. These are intended to help students (and lecturers) to identify problems and questions of grammar or vocabulary which may require further attention. The progress tests are worth 10% of the final mark.
2. Writing Project: all students are required to submit a Writing Project (c. 600 words) as part of the assessed course-work for Level 1. Two (word-processed) copies of the Project should be submitted to the Office of the Course Convener, Room 317, Level 3, Hetherington Bldg, by 5pm on the Thursday of Week 21 (i.e. the first week after the Easter break). You should staple a completed 'Declaration of Originality' to your Project (these forms will be available in an envelope on the Slavonic Studies Office door, Rm 314, Level 3, Hetherington Bldg) and make sure that your MATRICULATION NUMBER AND NOT YOUR NAME appears clearly on both copies of the Project. (Further details about topics, drafting, editing, bibliograhies and references will be given at the special Writing Workshops which will be held at regular intervals from October to March). Project work will also be linked to the Oral Classes and all students will be required to give a short oral presentation on the topic chosen for the Project. The Writing Project is worth 15% of the final mark.

Please note that plagiarism is a very grave academic offence and any suspected plagiarism will result in a zero mark for the Project concerned and further disciplinary proceedings.

3. End-of-Course written examination: there will be one two-hour written examination at the end of the year which will test grammar, vocabulary, translation and comprehension skills. The end-of-course examination is worth 50% of the final mark.
4. Oral examination: there will be an oral examination at the end of the year of approximately 15 minutes' duration which will test reading, comprehension and speaking skills. The oral examination is worth 25% of the final mark.

In exceptional circumstances a student may leave the course at the end of the first Semester and, after the appropriate assessment, may receive 20 credits for the work done. Any student wishing to avail him/herself of this exit point must inform the Course Convener, the Head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and his/her Adviser of Studies at the latest by the Wednesday of Week 11 of Semester 1. Assessment in such cases will consist of such progress tests as take place during Semester 1, a shorter Writing Project to be submitted by the end of Week 1 of Semester 2 and one oral class test to be held in the examination period after the end of Semester 1.

Special note on attendance and progress
From the points of view of both grammar and vocabulary Polish has less in common with English than either French or German, and it may for that reason seem a difficult language for beginners. The Slavonic Studies Section of the School, however, sees no point in running a course which students are doomed to fail and takes account of these difficulties, so that a student who is linguistically qualified and who works steadily throughout the year should normally expect to gain a good grade without undue problems. Non-submission of course work and non-attendance may result in credit refusal.

In order to maintain steady progress during the whole year, students are strongly urged to make every effort to attend all classes and to keep unavoidable absences to a minimum. If illness or any other personal or academic crisis means that classes have to be missed, regular attendance should be resumed at the earliest opportunity.

This point is stressed, because in the past some students who have been forced for whatever reason to miss classes have continued to stay away, presumably because they are too frightened or embarrassed to re-appear. This course of action invariably has disastrous consequences. For this reason any student who experiences problems is strongly urged to consult the course convener at the earliest opportunity.

Polish after Level 1
Students who successfully complete (at grade D or better) the End-of-Course Examination may continue their Polish studies in Polish Level 2. All students intending to do so are encouraged to attend a four-week summer course in Poland. Some scholarships from the Polish Government are usually available.