A boost for the Russian language: St Petersburg University holds an online marathon for teachers from over 100 countries
For the month of April, leading experts in Russian as a foreign language and language testing at St Petersburg University will speak about new approaches to teaching. They will give recommendations for candidates to prepare for examinations, and share their experience and expertise in teaching Russian for business communication. Furthermore, they will present the University testing system for schoolchildren and ongoing international projects.
According to Dmitry Ptyushkin, Acting Director of the Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University, the demand for distance learning has been growing as a result of global self-isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
We used to hold webinars on Russian as a foreign language, but now the number of applications is breaking all records. We have recently received over 1,000 inquiries from more than 100 countries. Under the current circumstances, we simply have to do everything possible to ensure that people get a chance to develop and gain new knowledge despite the circumstances.
Acting Director of the Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University, Dmitry Ptyushkin
The Director explained that the marathon will include events in both the Russian and English languages.
Russian as a foreign language has been taught in the University since the mid-20th century. The methodology of teaching Russian as a foreign language in our country has been largely formed at St Petersburg University. Combining the most advanced scientific base and modern technologies for education, St Petersburg University has established itself as a leader in this sphere.
Any person can take part in the webinars. To become a participant in the marathon, please contact the organisers by e-mail //e.mail.ru/compose/?mailto=mailto%3atest.language@spbu.ru">test.language@spbu.ru.
St Petersburg University is closer than it may seem
Acting Director of the Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University, Dmitry Ptyushkin
Today the University conducts official testing in Russian as a foreign language together with 80 partners in 35 countries. St Petersburg University also hosts events to support Russian language and culture: St Petersburg University held the largest Olympiad in Russian as a foreign language, and is actively involved in developing the Online School project.
The work performed by St Petersburg University to support and popularise the Russian language in foreign countries is one of the activities aimed at promoting Russian education in the international market. It is part of the federal initiative "Export of Education" implemented within the national project "Education".
It is noteworthy that for the second successive year St Petersburg University is the most popular higher education institution in Russia for foreign students.