Cornish beginners: module 1
Why not also join our lively online Cornish taster session in September? Search using the course code LHT1.
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- Start Date: 23 Sep 2025End Date: 02 Dec 2025Tue (Evening): 19:35 - 20:35OnlineFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00
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What is the course about?
You will learn to communicate simply in a range of everyday situations and conversations. You will also learn
about some basic elements of the Celtic culture of Cornwall via the history of the language revival, and about the
origin and meaning of Cornish place-names.
What will we cover?
Topics: Greetings and introductions, describing yourself and others, telling the time, discussing daily activities and the weather.
Grammar: all the grammar required by the Cornish Language Board for the Grade 1 Examination, including
simple present and present continuous tenses, simple past tense of auxiliary verbs, imperfect tense of the verb
TO BE, uses of the verb noun, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, imperatives, declensions of prepositions, rules of mutation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- make simple introductions.
- describe yourself and others in simple terms.
- tell the time using 12 and 24 hour systems.
- talk about daily activities and the weather.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Beginners level - no previous knowledge or experience required. For further details of the specific foreign language skills required for this level, please see the languages self assessment chart at the start of the languages section of our course guide or at http://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-level
You will also need to be able to respond to simple instructions and explanations, as well as read course documents, in English. You will need to be at ease with the use of numbers for daily activities (e.g. using money, telling the time, using the 24 hour clock, reading timetables). It would also be helpful if you had some knowledge of basic grammar terminology such as: a verb, a noun and conjugation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is based on the communicative approach:
- active students’ interaction
- emphasis on speaking and listening skills
- pair and group work
- role plays
- use of realia, pictures and authentic material
- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate
Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
BORA BRAV (2nd edition) by Polin Prys, published by Kesva an Taves Kernewek.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Cornish beginners: module 2 in January.
Dr. Gary Retallick Mathematics and Science Gary obtained his Phd in Philosophy of Physics from Kings College London in 2006. His thesis explored the physics of time, touching upon relativity, field equations, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and metaphysics. Gary began his teaching career in computing, going on to teach philosophy for the WEA and Mary Ward Centre, and physics and mathematics at both Birkbeck College London and the Open University. He currently teaches various science related courses, spanning topics in physics, chemistry and mathematics, at City Lit. Languages - Cornish Aside from his career in Science, Gary has an ongoing interest in languages, in particular Cornish, the language of his ancestors. He began studying Cornish at City Lit in 1998, and after passing the grade three Cornish exam with distinction he started to assist his tutor, Jo P'rhys. After a number of years as language assistant to the class, Gary was formally appointed as teacher of the Cornish beginners class, allowing Jo to concentrate on the higher level classes. Gary now teaches both the beginners and lower intermediate classes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.