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School of Culture History and Language · ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
This course builds on the skills acquired in Burmese 1001 and continues the study of spoken-style Burmese in both oral and written forms. Students will expand their vocabulary, develop greater grammatical accuracy, and learn to express abilities, experiences, and comparisons. Instruction emphasizes both language skills and socio-cultural awareness, enabling students to engage with everyday conversations and read simple passages in Burmese script. Course topics include the education system, part-time job interviews, Myanmar’s geography and ethnic diversity, traditional festivals, and the contrasts between urban and rural life. Authentic materials and cultural content provide meaningful contexts for communication, while guest speakers—Burmese native speakers and Myanmar specialists—offer students exposure to authentic language and cultural perspectives. By the end of the course, students will have strengthened their receptive, interactive, and productive skills, gaining greater confidence in both spoken and written Burmese.
Participation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weekly Online Quizzes (10 x 1.5 % each)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5
Midsemester Written and Reading Assessment (The written component requires students to write 100 words in Burmese Scripts)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5
Midsemester Listening Comprehension and Oral Assessment
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Final Written and Reading Assessment
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5
Final Listening Comprehension and Oral Assessment (The written component requires students to write 150 words in Burmese Scripts)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weekly Online Assignments (10 x 2 % each)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The total workload for the subject is 130 hours over 12 weeks of class and the examination period. Each week students are expected to study for 6 hours as follows: 1. 90 minutes in total, before each online class, working on the written and audio materials for the week, and, memorising the written and spoken forms of that week’s vocabulary 2. 180 minutes in total, participating in two 90-minute online classes 3. 90 minutes in total, completing online follow-up exercises regarding listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and vocabulary It is also expected that students should spend at least 4 hours of individual study practicing the week’s written and spoken language forms and vocabulary and reviewing feedback on their work. Other Information Equivalent to CEFR A1-A2; MLT (Myanmar Language Test) MB-M1 On successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to engage at a Beginner level of Burmese. Students with native speaker proficiency (may include cognate languages and dialects) must review the language proficiency assessment site and contact the CAP Student Centre for appropriate enrolment advice. Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language placement test to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level. Relevant past experience includes: - Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.) - Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend - Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken - The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself) Students who are not sure if they need to take a placement test should seek advice from the course or language convenor. Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Integrity Rule 2021 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may result in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course. Students are not permitted to enrol in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.
Original ANU weekly teaching materials will be available on the BURM1003 - Burmese 2 Wattle site. Students are strongly recommended to obtain this dictionary. Pocket Burmese Dictionary (Burmese-English / English-Burmese) Publisher: Periplus, Edition: 2008, eBook (2014) is also available. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Burmese by Ear or Essential Myanmar Author: John Okell Notes: Available for free download from here. https://www.soas.ac.uk/bbe/ Burmese: An Introduction to the Spoken Language Book 1 Author: John Okell (Northern Illinois University Press, 2010) Burmese: An Introduction to the Spoken Language Book 2 Author: John Okell (Northern Illinois University Press, 2010)