St Petersburg University organises a professional development programme in Tanzania for Russian specialists in Africa
The Language Testing Centre at St Petersburg University, with the support of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), has conducted a professional development programme for African experts in Russian studies. Approximately 30 participants from various cities in Tanzania attended the course to study with the University experts and explore the latest trends in teaching Russian as a foreign language. Additional 200 individuals joined the programme online.
About 29,000 students from African countries are enrolled in degree and non-degree programmes of St Petersburg University.
The Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University has dedicated significant efforts to popularise the Russian language in Africa since 2021. During this period, the University has provided free distance Russian language courses for foreign citizens and Africans. Over 2,000 people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Algeria, and Niger have received training from qualified University lecturers.
In 2023, as part of its efforts to expand activities and enhance cooperation, St Petersburg University inaugurated a centre for open education in Russian in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This centre was made possible through a grant received from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. It offers speaking clubs for applicants and intensive Russian language courses.
The St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre was established on 22 August 1997, with the aim of organising and conducting the state test of Russian as a foreign language (TORFL). The exam can be taken not only in Russia but also abroad. The University collaborates with 115 centres in 50 countries worldwide for the TORFL.
Dmitry Ptyushkin, Director of the St Petersburg University Language Testing Centre, emphasised that the primary goal is to support and promote the Russian language. The events organised by the centre in Tanzania will greatly contribute to the quality of Russian language education in the country and strengthen the connections of the University with teachers and potential applicants, fostering direct interaction.
The important issues of the Russian language teaching and studying will be explored by philologists, Russian language teachers, experts in teaching methods, and literary critics during the anniversary 15th Congress of the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature ‘Russian language and literature in a changing world’. For the first time in 20 years, this Congress will be held in Russia and is scheduled to take place from 12 to 16 September 2023. The event is being organised in partnership with St Petersburg University.