First-year Estonian, taught by Guntis Šmidchens, guntiss@uw.edu
Class meets 9:30-10:20,
MTWThF (ESTO 101 - 5 credits)
or MWF (ESTO 111 - 3 credits)
Thomson Hall 215,
Learning a foreign language and culture takes time, patience and persistence, and lots of courage. AND it is fun! 😊
Learning Objectives: This course aims to build basic skills in the Estonian language (listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation). The first quarter will focus on...
- Understanding basic vocabulary (about 500 most commonly used words);
- Understanding how meanings of words change when their endings change;
- Using cutting-edge digital tools to transcribe, translate and generate Estonian texts;
- And gathering useful facts about Estonia and Estonians, a culturally rich, digitally-savvy, politically powerful people.
This class satisfies the Arts & Humanities distribution requirement (approval in process, Spring 2023): Learning a language includes learning about the people who speak it, and the history and culture they share.
The Plan:
- The class meets in person three times per week (3 credits) or five times per week (5 credits).
- Reading text: basic vocabulary and grammar, one chapter per week:
Grammar reference = Juhan Tuldava, Estonian Textbook Grammar Exercises Conversation (1994) - on sale at UW Bookstore. - Written exercises, practiced in class and due on the following day;
- In-class and online quizzes (and the final exam) will check what you remember.
Grades:
- In-class participation & problem solving (25%),
- Written homework exercises (25%)
- Weekly quizzes (25%),
- Final Examination (10%)
- Weekly online discussions (in English) about culture and current events in Estonia (15%)
Note:
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/).
- Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).