Latvian Language

Total Hours in Course162

Number of hours for lectures10

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes54

Independent study hours98

Date of course confirmation25.09.2019

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developer

Iveta Līce-Zikmane

Dr. paed.

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to develop conversational skills and the ability to use the language in everyday situations, to communicate in grammatically correct language, to develop language communication and intercultural competence for further use of Latvian in the study process and in professional activities. It is designed for students without preliminary knowledge in Latvian. Students develop lexical, grammatical and functional language competences, allowing them to comment the topics included in the course in the Latvian language oral and written way of communication, including terms related to professional activities. The language proficiency level corresponds to A1 (CEFR).

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge - able to: understand usage of familiar words, the individual phrases and frequently used word in statements, what has a relationship with himself/herself, his/her family, place of residence, nearest surroundings, shopping, studies, leisure time; can perceive the main idea in simple and clear texts. (Work in classes, Home-work, Test 1-3, Presentation)
Skills - able to: read short and simple texts; communicate in routine and every day situation requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities in specialty-related situations; write simple texts in grammatically correct construction. (Work in classes, Home-work, Test 1-3, Presentation)

Competence – able to: catch separate phrases and simple sentences; engage in a short conversation, to communicate; use the Latvian language knowledge and skills in self-life related situations as well as in studies. Can take responsibility. (Work in classes, Home-work, Test 1-3, Presentation)

Course Content(Calendar)

1.Latvian is one of the languages of European countries. Understanding of the Latvian language. 2h
2.The alphabet of Latvian. Phonetic sound. Softening. Stress. Vowels, consonants, Diphthongs. Greetings and introductions. 2h
3.Polite expression. Intercommunication. Personal Pronouns (Nom., Acc.) and Demonstrative (that) Pronouns. The verb ‘to be’ in the present. 2h
4.Occupations. Nouns in Nominative. Gender, Number, Case. Question formation. 2h
5.Phone and address. Numerals in nominative. Business card. Language for daily communication. 2h
6.School, higher school. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, studies, students, lecturers, specialty. Lexis. The verb ‘to study’ in cases. 2h
7.Identity of the person. Place of residence. Countries, nationalities and languages. Nouns in the locative case. Preposition ‘from’. The verbs ‘to speak’, ‘to live’, ‘to work’. 4h
8.Geography of Latvia. Seasons. Anniversary celebrations. Adjectives. 2h
9.Verbal communication. Self-presentation. The verb 'to be' in the past and in the future. 2h
10.Practice of the acquired topics. Test 1. 1h
11.Living environment. City, countryside. Objects characterizing them. Nouns in singular and plural nominative, accusative and locative. Matching nouns and adjectives. Context-related verbs (to see, to visit, to take pictures etc). 4h
12.Living residence. Home and apartment furnishings. Prepositions ‘at’, ‘on’, ‘behind’, ‘under’. Context-related verbs (to live, to rent, etc.) in all grammatical times. Nouns in genitive and dative cases. 2h
13.Family. Numerals. Possessive case (my, to me). Discussions on place of residence and family. 2h
14.Communication with students of the faculty. Discussions. Studies and practice at the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Forestry. Specialty-related terms 3h
15.Transport. Getting around. Checking the direction of travel and transport. Context-related verbs (to ride, to fly, to go, etc.) in all grammatical times. Prepositions ‘with’, ‘to’, ‘about’, ‘along’. Adverbs: to the right, left, straight, near, far, fast, slow. 4h
16.Daily works. Meals. Context-related verbs (to do, to wash, to cook, to read, to sleep, to drink, to eat, to clean, etc.) in all grammatical times. Frequency: rarely, often, always, usually, sometimes. 4h
17.Clock-time. My daily routine. Talks on daily works and study. 2h
18.Practice of the acquired topics. Test 2. 1h
19.In-store and marketplace shopping. Vegetables. Fruits. Clothing. Footwear. Stationery. Accordance of the noun and the adjective word in accusative case. Numerals in genitive case. Context-related verbs (to buy, to sell, to pay, etc.) in all grammatical times. 3h
20.Daily conversations by phone and at university. Dialogue. Terms related to professional activity. Communication by topic. 2h
21.Communication in the market and in the store. Buying vegetables and fruits. Product selection according to needs. 2h
22.Work in the kitchen. Kitchen-related furniture, appliances and dishes. Food products. Context-related verbs (taste, like, etc.) in all grammatical times. Noun conjunctions – a noun in genitive case with a noun in nominative case. 2h
23.Cooking. Context-related verbs (to bake, to cook, etc.) and adjectives in all grammatical times. Communication in the cafe. Ordering of food and drink. 3h
24.Leisure in everyday life and holidays. Cultural events. Types of sports. A construction with a verb ‘to like’. Context-related verbs (to dance, to draw, to play, to skate, to do gymnastics, to do sport, etc.) in all grammatical times. 3h
25.Terminology used in the study programme ‘Biosystems Machinery and Technologies’ and ‘Sustainable Forestry’. Experience. Communication by topic. Discussions. 2h
26.Practice of the acquired topics. Test 3. 1h

27.Presentation of independent work. Study experience. Closing. 3h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Test with mark. It is made up of cumulative assessment.
- Active work in classes (participation in group work, role play and discussions).
- Homework is done.
- Successfully written three tests.
- Self-prepared and presented presentation by topic.

- The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 9%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

- Home-work done according to requirements.
- Preparation for classes by topic and requirements (new words, vocabulary and grammar constructions, etc.).
- Preparing for tests.

- Prepared and presented PowerPoint presentation by topic in front of the class (6 minutes).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment is composed of the grades in tests (mark), assessment during classes (pass/fail), home-work (pass/fail) and presentation (mark).
The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct. Home-work should be a positive evaluation. Student's presentation is evaluated according to the evaluation procedures.

Compulsory reading

1. A1 Laipa. Interaktīvs mācību līdzeklis latviešu valodas apguvei [tiešsaite] [16.08.2019]. Pieejams: http://maciunmacies.valoda.lv/images/speles/Laipa/index.html
2. Auziņa I., Berķe M., Lazarea A., Šalme A.. A1 Laipa. Latviešu valoda Mācību grāmata. Rīga, LVA, 2014.
3. Auziņa I., Berķe M., Lazareva A., Šalme A. A1 Laipa. Latviešu valoda Darba burtnīca. Rīga, LVA, 2014.

4. Māci un mācies latviešu valodu. E-nodarbības [tiešsaite] [16.08.2019]. Pieejams: http://maciunmacies.valoda.lv/valodas-apguve/e-nodarbibas#tab2

Periodicals and other sources

1. Angļu - latviešu vārdnīca. 5. izdevums. Cēsis: Design & Printing Services, 2007.
2. Latviešu - angļu valodas vārdnīca internetā [tiešsaite] [16.08.2019]. Pieejams: http://www.sazinastilts.lv/language-learning/vocabulary/

3. Latviešu – angļu valodas vārdnīca. Letonika.lv. [tiešsaite] [16.08.2019]. Pieejams: https://www.letonika.lv/groups/default.aspx?g=2&r=10621033

Notes

Compulsory course in bachelor's programme Biosystems Machinery and Technologies and Sustainable Forestry.

Atsauksmes