Distance learning in Lithuanian

Today spoken by some 3.5 million people worldwide, Lithuanian is the last of the Baltic languages, along with Latvian. Spoken by a peasant population nestled in dense forests and marshy lands, it has remarkably preserved various features of ancient Indo-European. Inalco is the only French institution to offer training in Lithuanian. In Europe itself, Inalco offers the most comprehensive curriculum, combining in-depth study of the language with that of Lithuanian geography, history, culture and literature.

The language and civilization degrees form a coherent four-year curriculum. Each year of study results in the award of a diploma: DLC 1, 2, 3 and 4 (only DLC1 is in comodal exemption).

The aim of the course is to:

• equip students with a linguistic competence that can be used directly for oral and written communication in Lithuanian, and for the exploitation and translation of all types of documents and texts written in this language (target proficiency level: A2 at the end of 1st year, B1 at the end of 2nd year and B2 at the end of 3rd year)
• provide a general knowledge of Lithuanian history, culture and society, enabling access to the cultural references and social and communicational codes in force in the country, a prerequisite for maintaining professional or non-professional relations with speakers of Lithuanian

Find out more about teaching Lithuanian at Inalco

This course is designed primarily for people not seeking a national diploma but wishing to learn Lithuanian in depth and acquire a solid knowledge of Lithuania and its culture.

First-year courses are designed for absolute beginners. No prior knowledge of the language is required. Those who already have some knowledge of the language can apply for direct admission to DLC 2, 3 or 4, depending on their level (check with the course leader).

DLC1 Lithuanian studies

Semesters 1 and 2
=> Grammar:
Grammar 1 and 2
Grammar exercises 1 and 2
=> Language groups:
Phonetics and Laboratory 1 and 2
Oral practice 1 and 2
Written practice 1 and 2
=> Civilization (one of 3 courses taught):
Lithuanian history 1 and 2
Lithuanian geography 1 and 2
Lithuanian culture and folklore 1 and 2

• recordings of texts, grammar lessons in film form and course materials for grammatical exercises and written expression available on Inalco's Moodle platform;
• synchronous video-conferencing courses in oral expression and civilization.

Knowledge assessment is by default continuous assessment. As part of distance learning, homework assignments are requested every week, as are regular tests by videoconference. End-of-semester exams are held at Inalco.