LV EN RU DE FR

Latvian Language I

Course developer

Course abstract

Latvian communication skills of the students are developed in the study course so that they are able to speak and understand simple monologues and dialogues on everyday topics such as introductions, a place of residence, one’s family, a town, shopping. Students understand simple grammar structures. The interactive language learning method is used in the study process, all four language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing) are developed; the vocabulary learning is based on social and personal issues simultaneously providing elementary knowledge of grammar and pronunciation. The language proficiency level of the course corresponds to A1 (CEFR).
The goal of the study course is to acquire the ability to use the Latvian language at a basic level (A1).

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge. Students know and understand greeting and introduction
phrases, vocabulary of a place of residence, one’s family, a town,
shopping according to the grammar rules. Students know and understand
the use of personal and demonstrative pronouns, the change of noun
endings in the nominative and locative case, the agreement between
adjectives and nouns, appropriate use of verbs.

Skills. Students are able to use phrases of greeting, introductions,
fill out simple forms. Students are able to create a monologue,
dialogues and discuss in simple sentences about the place of residence,
family, shopping, orientation in the city. Students understand the
agreement between the possessive pronoun’s and the adjective’s
conjugation with nouns, the use of prepositions, nature of verb
conjugation. Ability to responsibly plan time and perform assigned
tasks. Students are able to find the necessary information on the
Internet, dictionaries, etc.

Competence. Students are able to tell in simple sentences about
themselves, their family and the environment. Able to make small
dialogues. Understand simple texts.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Latvian alphabet. Letters. Sound pronunciation.(2 hours)
2. Introduction. Greeting phrases. Personal and demonstrative pronouns. The verb "to be". (2 hours)
3. Information about yourself. Noun endings in the nominative case. Geography of Latvia. (2 hours)
4. Getting to Know Others - Creating Dialogues. Making questions. (2 hours)
5. Place and time. Noun endings in the locative. Test 1. (2 hours)
6. Residence, apartment, its furnishings. Residence dialogues. Adjectives. (2 hours)
7. Family. A monologue. The verb "to be" in the meaning of to have. (2 hours)
8. Latvian national holiday and celebration days. (2 hours)
9. Shopping vocabulary. The verb conjugations. (2 hours)
10.Orientation in city, transports. Dialogue. Possessive pronouns. (2 hours)
11.Travelling vocabulary. Prepositions. (2 hours)
12.Cultural events. Free time. The tenses of the verb. (2 hours)
13.Daily plan. Test 2. (2 hours)
14.Food and drink names. Word formation. (2 hours)
15.The meal in the restaurant. Vocabulary. The menu. The structure of sentences. (2 hours)

16.Conversations: interviews, dialogues, questions about the study course. Reading the text with understanding. (2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Formal Test (pass / fail). It is made up of cumulative assessment. Active work in classes, successfully written two tests, included homework.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Home-work done according to requirements.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment (pass / fail) is composed of the grades in tests and activity in classes. The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct. Homework should be a positive evaluation.

Compulsory reading

1. A1 Laipa. Interaktīvs mācību līdzeklis latviešu valodas apguvei. Pieejams: http://maciunmacies.valoda.lv/images/speles/Laipa/index.html
2. Atvērsim vārtus. Mācību grāmata A1. Rīga, LVA, 2014.
3. Atvērsim vārtus. Interaktīvs mācību līdzeklis latviešu valodas apguvei. Pieejams: http://maciunmacies.valoda.lv/images/speles/AtversimVartus/Pamats.htm
4. Auziņa I., Berķe M., Lazarea A., Šalme A.. A1 Laipa. Latviešu valoda Mācību grāmata. Rīga, LVA, 2014.
5. Auziņa I., Berķe M., Lazareva A., Šalme A. A1 Laipa. Latviešu valoda Darba burtnīca. Rīga, LVA, 2014.
6. Cīrule L. It’s time for Latvian! Basic Latvian for beginners. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2020.
7. Māci un mācies latviešu valodu. E-nodarbības. Pieejams: http://maciunmacies.valoda.lv/valodas-apguve/e-nodarbibas#tab2

Further reading

1. Dumpe D. Latvian in Three Months. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2013.
2. Latviešu valodas apguve internetā. Pieejams: http://www.sazinastilts.lv/
3. Ko Tu teici? Interaktīvs līdzeklis iesācējiem. Pieejams: http://valoda.ailab.lv/latval/iesacejiem/
4. Koluža R. Mazā latviešu valodas pareizrakstības rokasgrāmata. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.
5. Latvian folktales in Latvian and English. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2017.
6. Learn Latvian Language. Pieejams: https://learnlatvian.wordpress.com/
7. Sarma I., Ābola S. Latviešu valoda studentiem. Lasīšanas tekstu un uzdevumu krājums I. Rīga, LVA, 2017.
8. Skujiņa V., Anspoka Z., Kalnbērziņa V., Šalme A. Lingvodidaktikas terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Rīga, Latviešu valodas aģentūra, 2011. Pieejams https://valoda.lv/wp-content/uploads/docs/E-Gramatas/08-Vardnica.pdf
9. Svarinska A. Latviešu valoda 25 nodarbībām. Latvian in 25 lessons. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2003.

10. Talce Ā. Mācos latviešu valodu. Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 2018.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Angļu-latviešu vārdnīca 5. izdevums. Cēsis, Design & Printing Services, 2007.
2. Latviešu-angļu valodas vārdnīca internetā. Pieejams: http://www.sazinastilts.lv/language-learning/vocabulary/
3. Latviešu–angļu valodas vārdnīca. Letonika.lv. Pieejams: https://www.letonika.lv/groups/default.aspx?g=2&r=10621033

Notes

The mandatory study course is intended for international students in LBTU bachelor and master's study programmes.