Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA2151: Intermediate Persian II

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

Building on your Persian learning experience to date, this module aims to develop a deeper knowledge of grammatical and syntactical structures; to develop active and passive knowledge of Persian through

A wide range of written and audio-visual materials; to strengthen your awareness of different styles and

registers; and to develop your skills in composition and translation. The module also aims to  consolidate your use of spoken Persian.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Extract a sense and specific details of authentic written texts from various genres at CEFRL level B2.
2. Present a detailed argument written in Persian in answer to essay questions on a range of topics at CEFRL level B2.
3. Verbally communicate with competence in Persian at CEFRL level B2. Engage in an oral discussion of a range of (mainly contemporary) topics in the target language, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
4. Give an oral presentation in Persian on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion and debate of the topic presented at CEFRL level B2, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
5. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources from various genres (including literary and journalistic) into and out of Persian.
6. Apply your growing knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of Persian to a variety of linguistic tasks.
Discipline-Specific Skills7. Learn how to consolidate your own learning independently by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process with guidance from course tutors.
8. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology individually and as part of a group.
9. Use a bilingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms.
10. Engage, under guidance and independently, with Persian media, printed and online.
Personal and Key Skills11. Work in groups at solving linguistic tasks at CEFRL level B2.
12. Deploy time management strategies through developing skills of self-study.
13. Exercise autonomy and judgement by enhancing your independent learning skills.
14. Deploy strategies for coping with unpractised linguistic, social and cultural situations.
15. Show an enriched appreciation of the literature and cultures of the people who speak (and spoke) Persian.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, the syllabus will cover the following topics:

  • Reading: You will be introduced to different types of authentic texts; including literary, practical and journalistic.
  • Writing: You will be introduced to different styles of writing. Personal and formal correspondence, instructions, description and comparison, narration, argumentation etc. You will learn how to present a topic, a discussion and a conclusion.
  • Translation: Here you will become familiar with a range of text types by translating them from Persian into English and from English into Persian.
  • Listening: This includes listening to a variety of clips, which might include media, broadcasts, news, interviews, documentaries etc.
  • Speaking: You will practice speaking about various topics in Persian.
  • Persian language through literature: You will have a chance to practice your skills and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Persian cultures and literatures.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
441060

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 44Teaching varies between lectures and (Persian>English) exercises done collectively by the whole class; Reading 1h/w Dictation 30 minutes/w Grammar 30 minutes/w Group exercise 1h/w Teaching new lesson 1h/w Conversation 1/w
Guided Independent Study106Independent study including reviewing new grammar rules learned in class; learning vocabulary; practising grammar and vocabulary through drill exercises; preparatory reading and vocabulary acquisition; reading for comprehension and language development; listening to and watching DVDs; writing short compositions; web-based activities; revising for examinations.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

Safar Moghaddam and Yadollah Samareh’s Persian Language Teaching: Elementary Course, Book II

Narguess Farzad, Modern Persian (London: 2004)

Anne Lambton, Persian Grammar (Cambridge University Press, 1953)

L. Elwell-Sutton, Elementary Persian Grammar (Cambridge University Press, 1963)

W. Windfur, Persian Grammar: The History and State of Its Study (Mouton, the Hague, 1979)