Conversation Class

Lesson Summary 

Language and Section: Russian Advanced 13

Date: December 8, 2013

Class theme/topics discussed:

Wrap-up

Goal of the class:

Have an enjoyable tea-party with delicious cookies and listen to/watch some genuinely fun examples of contemporary culture and also talk about some aspects of simultaneous translation.

GREAT for MID-TERM class

Structure of the class (unless you attach your lesson plan below):

Warm-up – sign Christmas/New Year’s cards in Russian. Cards are provided. How do you wish things in Russian, etc. – 10 min

Activity 1 –  Song & Parody – 15 min

  1. 1.     Russian pop song about a girl who longs to go to Manhattan and be pals with Demi Moore – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwIpy_RiUvo  Handout 1
  2. Russian parody song about Demi Moore who longs to go to Russia and live a “normal” Russian life –  lots of fun stereotype inversions etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx_OLNxyt3Y Handout 2
  3. Discussion – what makes the parody funny? What Russian stereotypes are involved?

Activity2  – Russian talk show “Vechernyj Urgant” – interview with Mark Zuckerberg35 min http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shacYpc4CZk

Simultaneous translation and language transformations involved (cf. “make the world more connected” – “сделать мир более открытым», “the challenge is..” – “задача в том, чтобы….”, “a lot of why we’re here..” – “главная причина, по которой мы здесь…») – you can sometimes hear both languages, interesting to compare.

What technology, media or props did you use? (satellite tv, internet resources, playmobiles, etc.)

Video, text

What worked well in this class? What did not work?

The goal was without a doubt fully achieved! The students are also so proficient already that it makes sense to talk about certain application of language such as simultaneous translation. It is fascinating to them and certainly can be something they could try!

How could this class be improved/ modified?

Please attach your lesson plan and handouts for this class below – if you used any.

HANDOUTS Russian Advanced 13 F13 Wrapup