RUSSIAN (Edexcel)

A2 Course outline

What do I Study for Russian A2?
Russian at A2 builds on and is the logical progression from the AS. At A2 the students will work on developing the advanced language skills such as debating, writing research-based essays on a given topic and translation. For the debate (Unit 3) students will have to choose a controversial issue affecting life in the modern world. Students are free to choose any issue of their interest, national or international. In preparation for the exam, pupils will study the chosen issue, take a clear stance on it and make effective arguments in support of their stance.

For their research-based essay (Unit 4), the students will choose a topic from one of the following four areas determined by Edexcel. These areas must relate to Russia or a Russian-speaking country:

• Geographical area (e.g. region or a city);
• Historical study;
• Aspects of modern Russian-speaking society; and
• Literature and the arts.

During the year the students will conduct an in-depth research and study their chosen topic. As the final outcome, they will have to produce a 180-200 words' essay in response to a question relating to their chosen area during the exam.

At A2 the students will continue studying general topic areas that will include international topics such as:

• Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions;
• National and international events: past, present and future; and
• Literature and the arts.

Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of one topic from the general topic areas in Section B of Unit 4. They will be required to write a 180-200 words' essay in response to one question linked to the general topic areas. The general topic areas do not have to relate to Russia but the students are free to demonstrate their knowledge if desired.

What skills will the students develop when studying Russian at A2?
The main language skills - speaking, reading, writing, and listening and comprehension - as well as advanced language skills such as debating, essay writing and translation. The new specification supports the development of other skills such as communication, information and communication technology, improving own learning and performance, and working with others. Presentation skills and research skills can also be added to the list.

Russian (Edexcel) A2 Specification
Unit 3 11-13 min 35% of the A2 mark 17.5% of the GCE marks	Understanding and Spoken Response in Russian Students debate with the teacher on an issue of their choice. The exam is divided into two sections: a) students briefly outline their chosen issue, adopting a definite stance towards this issue; and b) they then defend and justify their opinions for up to four minutes; and c) the teacher initiates a spontaneous discussion in which two or more further issues are covered.
Unit 4 2 hrs 30 min 65% of the A2 marks 32.5% of the GCE marks	Research, Understanding and Written Response in Russian This unit requires students to demonstrate skills in advanced-level Russian writing and translation from English into Russian. It also requires students to demonstrate evidence of independent Russian-language reading and research. The paper is divided into three sections: a) a short written translation; b) a Russian language essay in response to one question from a choice of seven questions linked to the general topic areas; and c) a research-based essay linked to an area of interest to the student which must relate to the four research-based essay topic areas for this unit.

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 6 lessons per week. Homework will be set weekly and deadlines must be adhered to. Reading of textbooks and coverage of Russian culture and current affairs is essential.

Recommended Reading
The specification recommends the following textbooks although, they say, they "are not directly mapped to this specification":

• Daphne West and Michael Ransome Tranzit: A Bridge to Advanced Russian Language Studies (Bramcote Press, 1999)
• Daphne West and Michael Ransome Kompas: An Advanced Russian course for Schools and Colleges (Bramcote Press, 2002)
• Olga Glazunova Davaite govorit po-russki, 3rd edition (russkii iazyk, 2005)

Fees and Dates