Learn Language and Culture in Tandem (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

Five step scale

Objective

The student learns the basics or develops the foreign language skills in everyday situations. He/she understands the essentials of the target culture and knows general information about the foreign country. The student gains contacts and understands the meaning of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds in communication.

Methods of completion

Introductory lectures. Collaborative work done in tandem pairs.

Content

12 optional topics (e.g. habits and traditions, everyday situations, studying, own professional field, hobbies) of which at least three must be cultural visits (e.g. concerts, theatre, cinema, sport events).

Materials

No specific material used.

Teaching methods

Learning methods - Active collaboration with the tandem pair - Teaching and sharing own language and culture to the tandem pair and the tandem group - Visits to cultural events with the tandem pair - Writing written and oral blogs with the tandem pair Primary completion method - 2 compulsory meetings together with the whole tandem group - Tandem pairs work and meet according their own plan and schedule that they make in the beginning of the course. Assessment - Assignments to return to Moodle together with the tandem pair: Plan (to set up the schedule), 2 written blogs, 1 video blog, self-evaluation (individual work) - To pass the course, all the course assignments must be done and returned in time. - Evaluation scale: Pass/fail Course schedule - The tandem course starts on week 6 (2 hour orientation meeting) and end on week 16 (2 hour final meeting).

Student workload

Student's workload (3 credits = 80 hours of work) - Meetings: 4 h - Planning the schedule with the tandem pair: 2 h - Working on chosen topics and teaching and learning the target language and culture: 60 h - Writing the blogs (2): 6 h - Making the video blog: 6 h - Writing the self-evaluation: 2 h