Nearly 300 South Africans complete SPbU Russian language courses
A total of 298 South African citizens have successfully completed Russian language courses organised by the Centre for Open Education at St Petersburg University. The courses were part of a wider initiative to promote Russian language and culture across the African continent.
The large-scale efforts of Saint Petersburg University to promote the Russian language internationally have been ongoing since early 2021. In this context, in February 2022, with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of South Africa, the university launched online courses for learning Russian as a foreign language. At the initial stage of the project, 50 learners from South Africa enrolled in the course.
Andrey Lesin, Acting Director of the Language Testing Centre at Saint Petersburg University, highlighted the growing demand for the university’s educational resources. He noted that this reflects a strong interest among South Africans in learning Russian and contributes to strengthening economic and cultural ties between Russia and South Africa.
The Centre for Open Education project at St Petersburg University is supported by the Russian Ministry of Education and the "My History" Foundation for the Support of Humanitarian Sciences.
In 2023, as part of its global strategy to promote the Russian language, St Petersburg University, in partnership with the "Russkiy Mir" Foundation, launched a new initiative to upskill 50 Russian language teachers from 14 African countries, including South Africa. Participants who completed the training received certificates confirming their successful completion of the course. This initiative not only broadens the cultural horizons of participants but also plays a key role in building a sustainable network of qualified Russian language teachers abroad.
From June to November 2024, St Petersburg University’s teaching staff provided Russian language training to over 2,970 learners from 11 countries, including South Africa. In August 2024, the university’s Centre for Open Education in Cape Town held its first classes for South African learners. Yevgenia Usacheva, a lecturer at St Petersburg University, shared her impressions, noting the students’ enthusiasm for learning Russian from the very first lesson and their determination to continue their studies and achieve meaningful progress.
The Centre for Open Education in South Africa offers six free educational programmes for those interested in learning Russian. Developed by experts at St Petersburg University, these programmes go beyond grammar and phonetics, incorporating practical sessions to develop communication skills. The curriculum is tailored to the cultural and linguistic context of South Africa, ensuring relevance and accessibility for local learners.
In addition to language training, the project included two major cultural events celebrating Russian culture. At the "Literature Unites People" book fair, which attracted over 50 participants, a lecturer from the Cape Town Centre presented an exhibition featuring works by Russian classics and a new series of educational materials titled "We Study Russian."
During the November book fair, "Russian Evening," participants attended a lecture on great Russian writers, explored how historical context influenced their works, and discussed modern interpretations of famous literary pieces. The event also showcased exclusive editions of Russian language textbooks for foreigners, developed by St Petersburg University specialists.
A webinar for South African educators was also held, featuring Anna Bendarzhevskaya, the author of educational materials for children. She shared innovative methods for incorporating games into Russian language lessons, including both active and quiet play, as well as written exercises. The webinar also introduced specially designed educational materials for preschoolers starting their Russian language journey.
Proficiency in Russian is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage for young South Africans seeking to study in Russia or work in Russian-speaking markets. The Centre for Open Education at St Petersburg University plays a vital role in attracting talented South African students to Russian universities. Graduates of the programme can pursue careers in various fields, from teaching to tourism and logistics. To support this, the university offers tailored courses for prospective students, teachers, and tourism professionals.
The new Centre for Open Education in Cape Town also provides in-person Russian language classes. The programme focuses on developing basic communication skills for social, domestic, educational, and cultural contexts. By the end of the course, participants will be able to handle everyday communication tasks with confidence.