St Petersburg University has hosted the Olympiad in ‘Russian as a foreign language’
St Petersburg University has hosted the Olympiad in ‘Russian as a foreign language’ for schoolchildren and students.
The main objective of the Olympiad is: to stimulate the interest of foreigners in the Russian language and Russian culture; to develop creative abilities and interest in research activities; and to create extra conditions to support and develop the Russian language abroad.
The registration stage for schoolchildren and students who wanted to take part in the competition began in December 2018. More than 1,450 people from 82 countries registered within one month.
During the correspondence (qualifying) stage, it was necessary to pass an online test with questions on the vocabulary and grammar of the Russian language, and also to write an essay. According to the results of the qualifying stage, 646 schoolchildren and students were shortlisted for the final.
The in-person stage was held in cooperation with St Petersburg University partners in 28 countries from around the world.
According to the results of the in-person stage of the Olympiad, 128 people became champions and prize-winners in the “students” category and 123 people in the “schoolchildren” category. Additionally, 15 participants who had not won prizes were awarded a special prize: ‘For the love of the Russian language’.
The first St Petersburg University Olympiad in ‘Russian as a foreign language’ has been completed. Over 1,450 participants from 82 countries took part in the competition. About 250 of them became winners and won prizes. They live all over the world: in Greece, Turkey, Syria, the USA, Hungary, Lithuania, Iran, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and in many other countries.
Dmitrii Ptiushkin, Acting Director of the St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre
Most participants were from Greece, Turkey, Italy, Lithuania, Armenia and Latvia. It should be noted that in the final stage of the Olympiad 75 people participated in four Russian cities: Simferopol, Barnaul, Elista and St Petersburg.
At present, awards are being given to the participants of the Olympiad all over the world. The champions and prize-winners are receiving their diplomas and memorable gifts from the University. Many graduates of foreign schools have established themselves in their wish to become St Petersburg University students in the future. A diploma of a champion or a prize winner will help them when enrolling on a portfolio competitive basis. Many schoolchildren have also become more motivated to study the language of Pushkin and Dostoevsky.
Anyone who did not have time to apply for participation this year, or have only recently learned about the St Petersburg University Olympiad in ‘Russian as a foreign language’ can do it in the new academic year. The registration will start this November.