Future teachers of Russian as a foreign language from 30 countries began their practical training at SPbU
St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre conducts a practical part of the training for teachers in Russian as a foreign language (RFL). As part of the additional professional retraining programme designed by St Petersburg University with the support of the Russkiy Mir (Russian World in Russian) Foundation, participants of the programme have started training aimed at developing the competencies necessary for effective work with international students.
A key objective of this part of the training is to let participants apply theoretical knowledge in practice. During classes, students of the "DOPP 360″ programme (Additional retraining programme 360) will hone various language-related competencies, as well as analyse subjects that pose particular challenges for foreign learners. This approach will enable future teachers to better understand difficulties students face in learning Russian and to develop effective strategies to overcome them.
The programme was designed by the St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation and has already gained recognition in professional community due to its practice-oriented focus. "DOPP 360″ is the longest online course provided by the Centre.
Currently, the second batch of students is undergoing the educational programme. In early December 2024, future teachers from 30 countries across four continents began their training. Among the programme participants are citizens of Uzbekistan, Qatar, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Chad, Cuba, the United States, Peru, Italy, Greece, Spain, and other countries. This national and cultural diversity creates a positive environment to share experience and enhances the effectiveness of professional training for teachers of Russian as a foreign language.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the significant amount of contact hours (250 hours), which include interactive sessions, discussions, and practical exercises. Throughout the course, students not only study advanced methods of teaching the Russian language and explore modern informational resources, but also develop their own unique teaching materials to use in future pedagogical activities.
As part of the final assessment, students, under the guidance of experienced instructors and mentors from the University, are required to design and conduct a fully-fledged study session for real international students of the St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre. Such format ensures an optimal combination of theoretical training and practical experience, preparing highly qualified specialists capable of effectively teaching and motivating international students to learn the Russian language.
The first and second student batches of the educational programme brought together 90 specialists eager to teach Russian in their home countries.
St Petersburg University, being one of the leading centres of Russian Philology, actively promotes the Russian language, culture, and history abroad, with a particular focus on training of specialised professionals in this field. For example, in 2021, SPbU became one of the first universities to actively support the spread of the national language traditions on the African continent. During the training, international students have an opportunity to explore Russia’s rich cultural heritage and discover new educational and career prospects.