‘I Will Soon Build the Confidence to Express Myself Well’

Learning Russian is one of the challenges international students face when they come to Russia. HSE University helps them not only with Russian classes, but with informal events such as the Russian Speaking Club, where they can absorb the language in a relaxed and non-competitive setting. The HSE News Service talked to the organisers and participants of the club about their impressions of the first meeting and plans for the future.

Alexandra Nazarchuk

Director of the International Preparatory Year

The speaking club is, of course, about communication, Russian language, and getting to know Russia, culture, HSE, and each other! Students from more than 50 countries study here, so they have things to discuss and compare.

This year, the Speaking Club became a dedicated project held once a month on a regular basis. Those interested can see the topics of upcoming meetings, a short description and dates, and sign up to attend.

The club was created by the management of the International Prep Year and with its direct involvement. We provide methodological, financial, and technical support, promote it on our social media channels, and hire photographers—but without doubt, the credit for the content of the club goes to the teachers. Anastasia Zinchenko has been the teacher in charge of the club for two years now.

The first meeting this year took place in October, and covered the topics of where and how young people get to know each other, useful channels about interesting places in Moscow, which stereotypes about Russians are true and which aren’t, and more. More than 60 students took part in this first meeting.

Mary Sarfo, Ghana, Prep Year

I have had the opportunity to partake in Russian Culture Day and joined the Russian-speaking club on campus, where I am able try out my new vocabulary. I find it very interesting and think it will help boost my ability to know and speak the language better.

Regardless of the cultural shock as a foreigner, this institution has helped break some of the stereotypes I held before coming. The teachers so far for my prep year, Anastasia Zinchenko and Maria Suvorova, have helped dispel all the stereotypical ideas I had. The students are an amazing group of people and have contributed immensely in creating this wonderful atmosphere.

I would say that my Russian is not bad at all when it comes to reading and writing, and I believe with dedication and zeal, I will soon build the confidence to express myself well with the help of the speaking club.

During our first meeting in the Russian-speaking club, I felt a huge sense of belonging

I could not wrap my head around my excitement, especially seeing other new people who wanted to know the language like me. Their reception and the facilitators’ patience explaining and making sure we all expressed ourselves in the language was heartwarming. At the meeting, we discussed the names of some emotional expressions in the language, some social media platforms here in Russia, some traditional items and their names, and also took four team tests. My team won twice, but the most important thing was that we all won as the team of the Russian speaking club.

 

Anastasia Zinchenko

Head of the Speaking Club

For the speaking club, we chose a format where all students could come and they aren’t divided into levels. This allows everyone to get to know each other (as they often do not know anyone except their group mates), to practice what they have learned in a relaxed environment over some tea and snacks. We try to mix the students up into work groups so that they can meet other people.

They all work together—there are no winners or losers. It’s a time and place where everyone can feel comfortable.

Topics are chosen based on students’ requests, the main ones being everything related to Russia: traditions, stereotypes, holidays, literature, cinema, people, regions, etc. The topic of the first meeting was ‘Who are you, my new friend?’ We talked about where and how young people meet each other, useful channels about interesting places in Moscow, and which stereotypes of Russians are real and which aren’t.

I have two groups this year. All the students work hard and don’t miss classes. There is nothing they can’t handle. They themselves don’t always understand how talented they are. The most important thing for me is the atmosphere in the group—that everyone supports each other and is patient with each other. That way, the students will feel less stressed and will absorb the information more easily.

The speaking club is held once a month, and we can see how the students have grown over that time.

The progress is always noticeable in the students who come regularly. They have a broader vocabulary, speak in Russian more, start speaking in full sentences, and feel more confident.

Hieu Nguyen Dinh, Vietnam, Prep Year

The Russian Speaking Club was a lovely event. I got to know more about Russian culture, met new friends, and learnt more Russian. My Russian is getting better day by day. And I love how this is going. The most difficult word in Russian I think is ‘общежитие’ (dorm)—I am still not able to spell it correctly.

Sajjad Asghari, Iran, Prep Year

I feel my Russian is good due to the classes, but I know I need to work harder because language is the most important thing. Our teachers, Anastasia and Maria, are excellent.

I participated in the Russian Speaking Club, and it was very informative with a friendly atmosphere. We learned about social media apps and talked about them. I feel that Russia's culture and traditions are similar to those of Iran.

The next meeting of the Russian Speaking Club, on December 26, will discuss New Year’s traditions. Follow the project page to stay up to date.