This course is an introduction to contemporary spoken and written Vietnamese for complete beginners. This course introduces the tones, vowels and consonants, essential syntax and the writing system of the Vietnamese language. By working through a series of contextualised dialogues the students will begin to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. The context of language use focuses on basic greetings, self-introduction and introducing one’s family and friends, time and date and describing one’s daily habits. Attention is given to the social and cultural context of language use. This course will prepare students to proceed to higher levels of Vietnamese.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Recognise and properly pronounce Vietnamese vowels and consonants and the six tones.
- Use an active Vietnamese vocabulary of around 150 words and a passive vocabulary of around 200 words.
- Use basic Vietnamese to conduct simple conversations at slow speed on daily topics such as self-introduction, introducing a friend, talking about family, asking about the time and date and describing one’s habits.
- Read and write simple sentences and short essays on topics covered in the course, and use the Vietnamese computer keyboard to type Vietnamese.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Vietnamese cultural norms and practices in relation to language use in interpersonal relations within the family, at workplaces and in daily life.
Other Information
On successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to engage at an Introductory level of Vietnamese.
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 undertake a language proficiency assessment 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 undertake a language proficiency assessment 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.
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As language courses are sequential, this may mean that students can only commence their language course in the following semester.
Indicative Assessment
- Periodic Assignments (5% each X 8) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Mid-term Oral Test (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final Oral Test (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Mid-term Written Exam (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Final Written Exam (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Class Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Peer engagement and support (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
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 at least 10 hours as follows:
- 90 minutes studying the written and audio materials for the week e.g. dialogues/ conversations, oral practice and vocabulary, and prepare for the next lesson.
- 180 minutes, participating in two 90-minute online sessions.
- 120 minutes reviewing the online lessons e.g. reviewing the class recordings, organising their notes and studying new grammar and vocabulary introduced in class.
- 90 minutes completing regular exercises and self-practice, and reviewing feedback on their work.
- 120 minutes of independent study
Students are expected to study for at least 10 hours for the exams.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Nguyen Van Hue et.al., Vietnamese as a Second Language I (VSL 1), Giao Duc Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City, 2003
(Textbook and all course materials will be available to students on the course Wattle site)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.