Language Centre

Kurdish (Kurmanji) Beginners course

Timetables
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Key information

Duration
1 term per sub-level; 10 weeks per term
Attendance mode
Part-time, on campus

Course overview

The course focuses on both grammar and practical use of the language. After explaining a grammatical point, a relevant text or a dialogue is used to show use of the grammar just introduced. Students participate in role play; e.g. one acts as a waiter in a restaurant, another as customer. Dialogues are scripted where students introduce their friends, followed by general inquiries, e.g. “Where are you from? What is your profession?” etc. Also, videos are used to familiarise students with the culture (music, dances) and hearing the words used in an everyday environment. This course is delivered by the Language Centre

Course aim

This course introduces basic grammatical forms, essential frequent vocabulary and key aspects of pronunciation. You will have opportunities to practice communicating in Kurdish (Kurmanji) on daily topics (see course content in the Structure tab), listen for the gist of a short conversation, write about basic information (email, text message, postcard) and read short texts.

Method

This on campus course is taught in Kurdish (Kurmanji) and English and covers the four essential skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with guided practice in language usage and use of authentic communicative activities. Regular reading, dictation tasks and reading in pairs from scripted dialogues will be carried out to consolidate knowledge and to increase confidence. Role acting will also be practiced when possible.

You are expected to attend classes regularly, participate in class and complete any homework to ensure learning progress.

Materials

The course material will be provided by your tutor. Additional material (e.g. authentic simplified Kurdish stories) will be provided to be covered at your leisure.

Location

Bloomsbury campus of SOAS, University of London

See SOAS campus maps

Room details will be provided once the enrolment period for the course has closed.

Entry requirements and progression route

For the first stage of Kurdish Beginners (i.e. Beginners 1), no previous knowledge is required. To be able to join Beginners 2 or 3 you should have completed Beginners 1 and 2 respectively at SOAS Language Centre or have an equivalent knowledge of guided learning hours (20 hours per each sub-level). The progression route from Kurdish (Kurmanji) Beginners 1 is to Kurdish Beginners 2; from Beginners 2 to Beginners 3.

Please note, that each term, courses are subject to quorum requirements.

For course dates and information, please see our timetables

Structure

Kurdish (Kurmanji) Beginners 1 

By the end of the course you should be able to:

  • spell out words
  • greet and introduce yourself and others using different forms
  • ask and give personal information (name, age, profession, nationality)
  • use numbers 0-20
  • talk about where one lives and how to get there
  • talk about jobs
  • talk about means of transport
  • make simple requests
  • order food and drinks
  • talk about your family
  • use days of the week, dates and times
  • describe the weather

The above is an indication of content that may be covered over the duration of the course but it could vary depending on the level and progress of students in the class.

Contact us

  • nme@soas.ac.uk

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules

Related information

See more information on Kurdish on the Language Centre Kurdish homepage

Back to the Language Centre

Timetables

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