Courses

Elementary Vietnamese (Ba / Bb) provides students with a basic ability to understand, speak, read and write Vietnamese. This course features a comprehensive and systematic survey of the fundamentals of Vietnamese phonetics, spelling rules, grammar, usage of vocabulary and gives students a basic conversational ability through an interactive and communication-oriented approach. In the second semester, texts on Vietnamese culture, ads taken from Vietnamese newspapers and magazines, and other similar materials are used to enhance students' reading skills.

Intermediate Vietnamese (120a / 120b) is a continuation of Vietnamese B. This course aims to develop speaking, reading, reading, writing skills and aural comprehension through introducing Vietnamese grammar and usage of vocabulary at a higher level. The topics of the texts include Vietnamese geography, history, culture, and customs. Audiotapes, videoclips and similar materials are used to enhance students' listening skills. The course is conducted entirely in Vietnamese and students are expected to speak Vietnamese during all class discussions.

Advanced Vietnamese (130a / 130b) is designed for students who wish to gain proficiency in Vietnamese in speaking, aural comprehension, reading and writing. Students are introduced to more complex grammar and vocabulary, using texts on Vietnamese history, culture and customs. Discussions focus on selected short stories and poems. Audiotapes and videoclips of Hanoi TV broadcasts are used. In addition, students practice translating from English into Vietnamese short paragraphs from U.S. newspapers. The course is conducted entirely in Vietnamese.