Cornell University Registrar

This course will introduce basic Burmese language and elements of Burmese culture to anyone who would like to learn about the country.

This course is designed to give beginning learners a solid foundation in reading and writing Burmese. Reading and writing skills are essential first steps to learning the language, and this is the only course where you will learn the script. You will also learn some basic spoken Burmese and important grammatical concepts. Some of the assignments are completed online using interactive video and audio materials.

This course focuses on building up confidence in speaking and understanding spoken Burmese at the beginner level. Emphasis is put on language you will need if you visit the country, and significant practical skills are learned along with essential information on some customs and traditions of Burmese culture. Some of the assignments are completed online using interactive video and audio materials.

This course is for you if you have taken elementary Burmese at Cornell or learned some Burmese elsewhere and know how to read and write Burmese script. You will continue developing proficiency in learning all major aspects of the language with a focus on reading authentic texts, engaging with audio-video clips and at the intermediate level, including reading and understanding formal-style texts. Some of the assignments are completed online using interactive video and audio materials.

This course builds on and expands your Burmese language skills. It focuses on improving oral expression, reading, interpretation of written texts, and further developing listening skills and cultural understanding through real-life scene videos. Some of the assignments are completed online using interactive video and audio materials.

This course develops your Burmese language skills further, targeting growth in all four core areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. All materials used in the course are authentic Burmese short stories, current event reports, various digital media such as blogs and YouTube videos. The particular materials used in any given year may vary depending on the proficiency level of the students. For students who are involved in Burma/Myanmar related research, their projects may also become part of the course.

This course is a continuation of the previous level, focusing on further development of all four Burmese language skills. All materials used in the course consist of authentic Burmese short stories, news articles, digital media content, and other original resources from Myanmar. Students will enhance their presentational skills through regular discussions, formal presentations, and cultural analysis of these authentic materials. The particular materials used in any given year may vary depending on the proficiency level of the students. For students who are involved in Burma/Myanmar related research, their projects may also become part of the course.

This course will further develop the student's reading proficiency in Burmese. Challenging authentic texts will be read, analyzed, and translated to English. A certain amount of discussion in Burmese is also part of the course, but the primary objective is to learn to read and understand the typical texts that appear on websites about current events, cultural trends, as well as short literary works by contemporary authors. Heritage speakers of Burmese as well as students who are learning Burmese as a foreign language are welcome. Reading materials are selected depending on the needs and interests of the students and differ from year to year.

This course continues to develop Burmese reading proficiency, building on skills from previous coursework. Students will engage with challenging authentic texts, analyze their content, and translate them into English. While the course includes some Burmese conversation, it primarily focuses on developing reading comprehension for practical materials such as websites covering current events, cultural developments, and contemporary literary works. The course is designed for both heritage speakers of Burmese and students learning Burmese as a new language. Reading selections vary year to year, tailored to match student interests and learning objectives.

Intended for advanced language study.

Intended for advanced language study.

Topics vary by semester in relation to student needs.

Topics vary by semester in relation to student needs.