St Petersburg University conducts Russian language testing in Uzbekistan

A foreign language certificate of at least C1 level is necessary for teachers to work in state organisations, universities, schools and even in private courses — global practice shows that a diploma in philology alone is not enough for this. In 2021, Jizzakh State Pedagogical Institute approached St Petersburg University with a proposal to start cooperation and conduct testing in the field of TORFL. Experts from St Petersburg University promptly organised the work, and the first test session was already held in December. Now, a few months later, a new exam was held for teachers who wanted to receive state-recognised certificates. In just six months, more than 100 teachers were tested, showing a high level of Russian language proficiency.

Having a certificate of proficiency in Russian at C1 level and higher in Uzbekistan counts as professional development for teachers, and from this year entitles school teachers who teach Russian in Uzbek classes to a pay rise.

The state test in Russian as a foreign language was held in a face-to-face format with a specialist from St Petersburg University. ’In difficult circumstances, despite everything, we manage to find an opportunity to send experts from St Petersburg University to conduct the test, thus showing the attention we pay to the development of learning Russian as a foreign language in other countries,’ said Dmitry Ptyushkin, Director of the St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre. ’In the near future, as part of the opening of the University’s branch in Tashkent, we plan to conduct not only state testing and examinations to confirm the qualifications of teachers and professors, but also training seminars and webinars. We intend to develop major work in the field of Russian as a foreign language, as a result of which our branch will become the main point of attraction for Russians in Uzbekistan. We will develop the same kind of work in other countries.’