Web-based courses - FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our web-based courses. If you have questions which are not answered below, please contact Olga Viberg (ovi@du.se). For answers to frequently asked technical questions, click here.
Method of instruction
Are distance courses easier than traditional courses that have seminars and lectures on campus?
NO, distance courses are not easier than campus-based ones. Our distance courses follow the same syllabi as those taught on campus in Falun. Some students plan to study in the evenings after a workday. That is certainly feasible, but you should be aware that distance studies require just as much work as traditional studies on campus. If a course is taught halftime, then it means that approximately 20 hours per week are required for study.
Are there any compulsory on-campus lessons in Falun?
NO, there are no compulsory on-campus lessons in Falun. All distance courses in Russian, including lectures, seminars, and exams, take place via internet only. However, all internet-based lessons are compulsory.
I have studied Russian previously, but it isn’t shown on my academic transcripts. Can I still register for the course(s)?
YES, but first you should speak with the teacher, Olga Viberg (ovi@du.se), in advance so that she can evaluate your level. In some cases we can make an exception to the course prerequisites. For example, if we determine that your knowledge is equivalent to having completed Russian for Beginners I, you can receive an exemption and begin with Russian for Beginners II.
How do I register for the course?
Apply at www.universityadmissions.se.
Times, schedules and attendance
When do the lessons take place?
All on-campus lessons in Russian take place in the afternoons. For distance courses there are both morning and evening groups, so you can choose a time which suits you best. Lessons are scheduled once per week.
Lessons are never scheduled for Fridays or weekends. Russian for Beginners II begins immediately after Russian for Beginners I ends, so it is possible to complete both courses in one term. Russian for Beginners III is a 15-credit course and meets in the afternoons. All courses are offered on a 50% basis in both autumn and spring terms. Russian for Beginners I and II will be offered as the fulltime courses in the summer 2010 term.
Are all lessons compulsory?
YES. It is important to attend all lessons when studying by distance. During lessons you have the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice and instructions from the teacher. You can also share ideas and problems that come up in your studies and get to know your classmates!
It can be easy to lose enthusiasm for studying if you are isolated and study alone without contact with the teacher and other students. For all of these reasons, all of the lessons are compulsory, and it is important to participate actively in the lessons.
What if I am unable to attend one of the compulsory lessons? Is it possible to fulfill the requirement in a different way?
It is possible to be excused (due to family or health issues, scheduled holidays, etc.) from no more than 1/3 of the scheduled lessons. If you miss more than 1/3 of the lessons you will have to take the course again during another term. Furthermore, it is not possible to receive a grade of VG in the course if you miss more than 1/7 of the lessons, regardless of test results.
The internet-based seminars missed (regardless of reason) cannot be made up, just like on-campus seminars. For this reason it is quite important to take part and be active in seminars.
Since internet-based lessons can be recorded, it is possible to ask the teacher to record and send you a link to the recorded session. The lesson-recording function is there only to assist during the lesson, for example to review what the teacher or other students have said.
Course literature
Do I have to buy all the books on the reading list?
NO, it is not necessary to buy all the books on the list. You only need to buy the books listed as compulsory. For Russian for Beginners I you can choose between the Mozjno books, if you are studying in Swedish, or Ruslan 1 if you are studying in English. If you wish to immerse yourself in the language beyond what is necessary for the course, you can buy the books listed as reference literature. If you have difficulty with grammar (one of the most important parts of learning a new language) and grammatical terms, it is a good idea to order Grammatisk ABC by Gunilla Florby. All course books can be ordered from Swedish internet bookstores (www.adlibris.se eller www.bokus.se). If you are outside of Sweden you can order from sites such as www.amazon.co.uk. Be sure to order your textbooks well in advance.
If I am studying by distance can I still borrow textbooks from the university’s library?
Högskolan Dalarna’s library has at least one copy of each book on the course reading list. Books can be sent to your home by post if you live in Sweden. However, you must pay for the return postage when you send it back. The borrowing period is one month. The first person to order a book gets to use it first and subsequent requests for the same book will be put in a queue. More information about how to borrow books can be found at here. You can also find much of the course material in the course room on the web as soon as you have registered for the course.
I already have one of the books on the reading list, but it isn’t the most recent edition. Can I still use it?
That is usually fine for dictionaries and grammar books. It is best to try to stick to the editions indicated on the reading list for other books, particularly workbooks and anthologies, which often change noticeably from one edition to the next. If you have thoughts or questions, you can direct them to the teacher.
Contacting the teacher
Can I use my personal e-mail address when I want to contact the teacher?
NO. All communication with the teacher must be sent from the @du.se address you receive when you register at Högskolan Dalarna. It is, however, possible to direct the messages you receive at this address to another address. To do this follow the following links on the university’s website: My Pages > My Account (on the left) > E-mail forwarding.
If I send an e-mail to a teacher can I expect an immediate answer?
NO, but we answer as soon as we can. Our policy is to answer every e-mail within three working days (this does not include Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
Students residing outside of Sweden
I live outside of Sweden. Is there anything special I need to think about?
Order your textbooks well in advance, as delivery can take longer.
If you live in a country that has a large time difference from Sweden, lessons may be scheduled when it is night time where you are. In such a situation, please write to use and we will try to find a solution.
During the term I will be travelling. I will have internet access only at internet cafes. Will I still be able to participate in the lessons from an internet cafe?
A good internet connection is necessary for distance courses. Therefore, before you travel you should arrange to have private internet access at your destination. Another possibility is to connect from your own laptop computer (using a mobile phone, wireless internet, purchasing an internet connection at your destination, or using friends’ or relatives’ connections). Many internet cafes do not allow you to install additional programmes to their computers for security reasons.
Always contact your teacher in advance when you are planning to travel so you can get help in solving potential technical problems.
