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Introduction
Administered
by RUPP's Institute of Foreign Languages, Khmer
for Foreigners is a non-degree private course for foreigners who
wish to learn to read, write and speak Khmer.
Students
may complete the whole course (all four levels) in one
year, or they may choose to undertake some levels. Each level is
run four times throughout the year over 8-10 weeks. Classes are
1.5 hours a day in duration and offered in the morning or evening, 5 days
a week.
Students
who progress through all sections and have a high proficiency of Khmer may
choose to continue their studies by taking classes with native students at
the Department of Khmer Literature.(back
to top)
Background
The Khmer for Foreigners course was established in 1983 when the Cambodian
Minister for Education sent students to study in communist allied countries
including Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia and Vietnam. In return, students came
to study at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and the Khmer for Foreigners
course was established to cater for them. The course was also designed for
foreigners who come to work in Cambodia, particularly for non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). From 1999-2001, approximately 200 students attended
this course.
(back to top)
Admission
The course costs $800 for one year, or $200 per level.(back
to top)
Assessment
Students who wish to receive certification must sit the examination at the
end of their study period or level.(back
to top)
Staff
and Resources
All teachers have gained their undergraduate degrees in Khmer Literature from
the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and two teachers have taught Khmer language
in Germany for five and seven years respectively. The teachers can speak English,
German and French.
(back to top)
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
Level
1
This
section introduces students to basic reading and conversation skills. They
learn to read consonants, vowels, feet of consonants, punctuation symbols,
independent vowels and subscripts. Topics of conversation include introductions,
biography, shopping, asking favors, time, family, comparisons and color. Textbooks
used in this module are Khmer Literature for Foreigners -Book 1 (Souer Kethya)
and We Learn Khmer (Souer Kethya, Soeung Phos and Prum Sisaphantha).
Level
2
Students review consonants, vowels and consonant feet, and construct sentences.
Topics include shopping, going to the restaurant, going to the post-office,
family, school, housework, and seeing a doctor. Textbooks used in this course
are Khmer Language (Ngoun Phan and Monh Sary) and We Learn Khmer (Souer Kethya,
Soeung Phos and Prum Sisaphantha).
Level
3
This module builds further on students' vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar.
Topics include: going to the bookshop, appointments, weather, shopping, meeting
at the airport, asking for information, interviewing, greeting, talking about
your family, greeting cards and how to write a letter. Students also read
stories and legends, such as The Glasses Seller and the Ignorant Man and The
Judicial Hare. The textbook used in this course is We Learn Khmer (Souer Kethya,
Soeung Phos and Prum Sisaphantha).
Level
4
This module builds further on students' vocabulary, comprehension, grammar,
and knowledge of Khmer culture and literature. Topics include: streets of
Phnom Penh, traveling in Cambodia, the countryside, names and birthdays, politeness,
restaurants and markets, mealtimes and food, hospital and medical treatment,
geography, people and plants, marriage and family, and the history and characteristics
of Khmer letters. Festivals such as Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben (celebration
for dead people) are studied. The textbook used in this course is We Learn
Khmer (Souer Kethya, Soeung Phos and Prum Sisaphantha).(back
to top)
