Language Resident Name: Xeniya Amelina
Day and Date: Wednesday, April 17
Language and Level (please circle): Russian Intermediate
Class theme/topics discussed: filler words and texting culture
Goals of the class: to introduce filler words in Russian, to discuss unspoken rules of texting and video calls etc
How did you structure the class? I began from asking my S to imagine a situation when he needs to tell a really long story to a friend in a different city. He had to choose how he’d do it: vie text, voice message, video call or a carrier pigeon . After that we transitioned to discussing filler words, why they are used, whether or not they should be used etc. We broke down the Russian term for filler words, since it has a peculiar background story. Then I asked my S to listen to 2 voice messages https://youtu.be/Zxcuea-biCM?si=sZrHBwzQdmR2y9XJ and note down any Russian filler words he can hear. Spoiler: they were riddled with them! We had an interesting discussion afterwards, talking about how many ways there are in Russian to fill your speech with nonsensical words. After discussing the video, I gave the S 7 printed out comments that I found under that video. They either contained great idioms, something funny or something related to culture. Having laughed at and discussed the comments together, I asked the S to fill out the EVAL.
What technology, media or props did you use? (Internet resources, handouts, etc.)
Whiteboard, laptop, presentation, printed out comments
What worked well in this class? What did not work?
We were laughing a lot! The S said it was a super culturally-immersive CC
How could this class be improved/ modified?
As one of the follow-up activities I could give the S a text (or a set of comments, again), for him to spot the filler words and cross them out, making the speech clearer and better.