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2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
ARAB5025M Turkish for Beginners
30 creditsClass Size: 15
Module manager: Dr John Moreton
Email: j.e.moreton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
This module is mutually exclusive with
| ARAB1006 | Turkish for Beginners |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
Turkish is one of the major languages of the contemporary Middle East. This module assumes no prior knowledge of the language, and it offers students an opportunity to develop basic but useful skills in four areas of language acquisition: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. They should gain added self-confidence and self-esteem as well as transferable analytical skills through tackling the challenge of a difficult language, which is a useful addition to knowing other European, Middle Eastern and/or other non-European languages. Turkish is a ‘community language’ in the UK, in addition to being important and widely spoken in parts of NW Europe, in North Cyprus and in some other places around the world to which Turkish-speakers have migrated. Belonging to the non-European Turkic family of languages, it is related to (and can therefore serve as an entry to) the languages of Central Asia, all the way from Azerbaijan to the north-western borders of China. At the same time, Turkey itself is constantly growing in political, strategic and economic importance, and some knowledge of its language would be valued not only by many UK government departments (FCO, GCHQ, Business and Trade, etc) but also by the EU and by media and financial organizations, various NGOs or research bodies and a range of commercial employers.The module is designed as a discovery/optional module for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.Objectives
This module is designed for those who wish to gain a sound basic understanding of the Turkish language, covering the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It aims to equip students with an essential grounding in Turkish grammar, to be applied in speaking, reading and writing tasks. Essential grammatical structures will be covered and vocabulary built up in order to cope effectively with key areas of everyday communication. Students will be introduced to the Turkish alphabet, the sound system and the morphology and syntax of the language. Understanding of these, together with practice in basic sentence construction, reading and conversation will serve as a solid foundation for those who wish to pursue further their study and use of Turkish.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should have acquired:
- A basic knowledge of Turkish grammar and a range of vocabulary sufficiently wide to allow students, with the aid of a dictionary, to read basic modern texts and to conduct basic everyday conversation.
- become familiar not only with the Turkish alphabet and sound system but also with the way Turkish grammar works and with the ways in which vocabulary (including vocabulary newly introduced to the language) is constructed.
- be able to read and write at least simple texts, and to engage confidently and effectively in simple conversation, making appropriate use of a range of fixed expressions such as greetings and other important items of vocabulary.
- be aware of how the Turkish language works and thus be well-prepared to go on to expand and apply their knowledge more independently in future.
Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should have acquired the skills to engage confidently and effectively in simple conversation, making appropriate use of a range of fixed expressions such as greetings and other ‘cultural’ items of vocabulary.
Syllabus
This module will first of all offer an introduction to some important general considerations relating to Turkish, and will then follow a graded presentation of key grammar points and useful, everyday vocabulary through a functional approach to language use. This will take students from the position of complete beginners to a Lower Intermediate level of proficiency in Turkish. All the four language skills will be practised along the way in class, while grammar understanding together with reading and writing skills (the latter at the level of sentences and short paragraphs) will also be developed and reinforced through regular coursework. A wide range of topics will be presented in class, including the use of related audio, written and online materials. The course encourages simple conversation, as well as interactive communication in class through the use of a variety of materials. The increasing use of and exposure to elementary Turkish in class will thus be encouraged. Suggestions for further study/independent learning beyond the classroom will also be offered.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 21 | 2.00 | 42.00 |
| Private study hours | 258.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 | ||
Private study
The total of 258 hours of private study is to be spent on: preparing for / revising language learning units, completing regular coursework (50 hours), completing set or suggested language consolidation exercises (including basic writing exercises) (50 hours), preparing for in-class oral (e.g. role-play) practice exercises (30 hours), consolidating key vocabulary (38 hours), preparing and revising for the end-of-year oral assessment and written exam (50 hours), studying useful reference material provided as handouts and exploring suggested online materials (40 hours).Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students’ progress will be monitored and recorded from early in the academic session through regular language coursework, with the Tutor providing general feedback in class and, if requested or appropriate, meeting students privately outside class contact hours. Given the limited contact time available in class, students are free to seek further feedback or advice at any time from their Tutor by email or by arranging a visit during Advice and Feedback Hours.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Oral Presentation | 15 Minutes | 10.00 |
| Practical | Set written coursework (grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing, translation) | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 25/10/2022
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