95041 - First Level Hindi

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student reaches a first level of skills in the Hindi language: basic grammar structures and pronunciation, reading and writing in devanagari, elementary forms of oral and written communication. They also become familiar with the tools for continuing to learn the language.

Course contents

The course provides an introduction to the knowledge of grammar and elementary lexicon of the Hindi language. The student will gradually develop the ability to read and write in devanāgarī, and will acquire the basic grammatical structures of the language.

Pronunciation and listening practice will provide an important aid in acquiring basic sentences for every day communication.

Lexicon, syntax and grammar will be acquired through texts analysed during the classes thanks to themed conversation examples on topics for the every day context and will be assimilated through patterns and drills.

Readings/Bibliography

- Taneja, S., Practice Makes Perfect - Basic Hindi, McGraw-Hill Education 2012.

- Other material will be available for students on the teacher's IOL platform

The following dictionary is suggested:

- MacGregor, R.S., The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary, OUP Oxford 1997

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with reading, translating, speaking and comprehension practice.

During class pair and group activities are facilitated.

Attendance is highly recommended, as the lessons are largely interactive and based on the continuous exchange between teacher and students.

Assessment methods

At the end of the course, students will have to take a short written exam and a short oral test (the two tests will take place one after the other).

The written part of the exam will consist of a multiple choice test through which the student will have to prove of assimilating the topics of grammar, syntax, and lexicon acquired in class and the set of sentences exemplifying the language structures explained.

The oral part of the exam will consist of a linguistic assessment, based on sight reading and translation of sentences consistent with the program carried out during classes and a few simple questions in Hindi on the topics acquired during the lessons. Alternatively to answering the oral questions in Hindi the student can opt to prepare an oral self introduction in Hindi previously corrected with the teacher.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

-Writing test: same as attending students. The material will be shared on the teacher's IOL section.

Oral exam: same as that of attending students.

DEGREES OF EVALUATION:

• The test of those who prove to have perfectly assimilated the grammatical structures and the lexicon explained in class, being able to put them to practice through the comprehension, translation and spoken output of simple sentences both written and spoken, as well as to be able to read in devanāgarī will be assessed as excellent.
• The preparation of those who prove to have assimilated most of the grammatical structures and vocabulary explained in class and prove to be able to translate, understand and produce basic sentences in the langue to an acceptable to intermediate degree will be assessed as sufficient to intermediate, as well as being able to read and write, with few uncertainties, in devanāgarī
• Those who fail to prove of assimilating the basics of the program and lack a sufficient ability to translate, understand and produce basic sentences in the language, while their oral or written tests cannot be considered suitable as the student manifests serious gaps in learning grammar and vocabulary will not be able to pass the exam.

Teaching tools

- Audio segments

- Audio-visual projector

- Power-point presentations

- Other course material provided by the teacher

Office hours

See the website of Marged Flavia Trumper