Teaching English to Russian College Students
Over the past month I’ve compiled a short list of teaching ideas that I will try to implement come September when I start teaching English at Novosibirsk State Technical University. This is what I’ve come up with so far, but I’m looking to improve upon, eliminate, and add teaching ideas…
1. On the first day of class, pass out a questionnaire asking students why they’re in the class, what they hope to achieve, and a couple of personal questions.
2. Bring in pictures of yourself, family, America to show class on first day as an introduction.
3. When students make mistakes in English try to correct them on the spot if it won’t disrupt their train of thought.
4. Sometimes jot down notes of the mistakes you hear during class, then at the beginning of the next class pass out examples of sentences that were spoken and ask students to look for the mistakes.
5. Make students give presentations. I’ve heard Russians tend to love to speak, particularly in front of people. They may be reluctant at first but over time they will likely open up and get into it.
6. Make them recite a poem in English in front of the class. I’ll break the ice by reciting some poems in Russian first. Pick out some poems to assign as defaults, but allow students to pick their own if they wish.
7. Show good American movies or cartoons, or at least some clips (depending on time).
July 20, 2007 at 2:28 am
I taught some English while living in Russia and one of the students’ favorite lessons was on crime and crime vocabulary. Russians generally seem as fascinated by violence as your average American. I never saw the students work so hard as in that lesson.
Also, my advice is to keep some short lessons of varying levels with you at all times because you never know when a teacher will ask you to “help” with a class. Finally, avoid participating in the oral exams as much as possible. Most of the teachers have already decided what grade to give each student based upon the student’s behavior, so it is a quite torturous process because of the amount of time it can take and the favoritism you will see some students receive.
Good luck!
July 30, 2007 at 12:14 am
Dear Teacher,
I envy you a little but wish you luck. I was born in Ukraine but Russian was our First Language. To speak Ukrainian in public was looked down – considerate to be of peasant background, etc Although I have a B.A. (U.of T., Toronto, CA) I learned languages – FOUR foreign Languages because of necessity. I can say that at times Necessity teaches just as good as University. This give you a little profile of me.
As a foreigner in Russia you will be looked upon with respect, envy and jealousy. Yet ,you have to keep in mind that they are a Product of the Bolshevik-Soviet upbringing:
which means while deep down they envy the West, but they seldom give credit for all the Achievements (Freedom, Democracy, Prosperous Life) to those countries, especially U.S.A., since it is THE leading country of the World.
The reason for it is that we(the Soviet citizens) were insistently pointed out that the “West” is composed of Capitalists and Fascists and therefore forever ‘exploiting’ the ‘poor’ while it is only in the U.S.S.R. where the ‘ruling proletariat’ lives happy, prosperous and free. Much too late the West found out the TRUTH. So you should project humility and modesty, because the Soviets (and there is a slogan) wanted to “catch up and overtake the America and since they never even got close there is (even now some animosity etc. – as it is so natural amongst the living.
1. As to pass out a Questionnaire, in my opinion, I would say NO. We have to remember that Russia used to be a Police State, which indoctrinated the society that the Westerners were enemies,spies,etc. Hence, there still would be the ‘thought’ of where the Personal Information will end up. Perhaps after they get to know you personally you could hand it out, remarking that it’s not obligatory.
2. Is well taken.
3. “THE REPEAT AFTER ME” is the best practice I have experienced and when being at that that to prepare the students to do so THREE times in a row without telling them to do it one more and one more.
4 and 5 are excellent and the
6th is the BEST of them. Learning songs, proverbs and poems helped me to speak a foreign language within a year .(that is living and working in that particular country). The poems and songs I learned in School are stored in my memory forever.
7. Movies are good, but most of them would be viewed ‘as propaganda’ items. One has to KEEP in mind that it was Russians who invented Electricity, etc., Football, Hockey,etc. Historical facts are distorted in todays Russia as they were in the Soviet Russia. Russians know it ALL and the BEST…(I would presume that this is because their Country is large so many must think so is their brain).
Those remarks are not negative or hateful. I came to the American Continent after the WWII. In spite of ALL the GOODNESS I experienced I still felt homesick (probably because I was ‘evacuated’ during the war against my will.) Longing to meet newcomers from my Native Land was a treat to me only to be told that the ‘New Emigration’ did not consider the after the war immigrants as their compatriots.
On the other hand when I meet people who speak one of the foreign Languages I am proficient in they treat me as I were their distant ‘relative’.
Russian people, as known in the distant past, had a deep respect and admiration of the West. They (the masses) recognized the fact that they lived behind the ‘Iron curtain’ even during the Czar’s times and are different if not somewhat backwardly. (The same philosophy applies to all nationalities that were (and still are) under the influence of Moscow.) Of course, they are exceptions – they always were.
You, personally, are going to be loved, respected and admired – but there is that element that you are a foreigner and especially American whose lifestandards, etc. are
above theirs.
Oh, please do not show the Cartoons – Movies or written – Russian People have different understanding of humor. If I may suggest, after they learn the language I would introduce at first a cartoon for criticisms – like any short story and see their reaction and take it from there. ‘Nice’ Movies would be considered as ‘Propaganda”, but I, personally, still would do it preparing that this particular Movie was filmed for the benefit of the American public, but being realistic and truthful found it’s way abroad.
This contribution is without any prejudice. I lover the Russian Language. In my opinion, because of the grammatical structure of the nouns and verbs (changing of their endings) it makes this language one of the richest. On the other hand there are expressions that are colorful and rich only in the original language and I often have to use it in the original since the translation does not reflect the meaning.
I trust this would be of some help to you.
(From what I heard lately people in Siberia were not as strongly brainwashed and controlled by the Soviet Regime as the European Russians – being always said that Sibirjaks are very proud, opinionated and independent Nations. Of course ,they are many people, who live in Siberia, are of Slavic descent and how much they retained from the past only God knows)
It would be most appreciated to hear from you after you settle down and observe some of the above and tell me if my remarks were of any value to you.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Sincerely,
Olga N. O’Mara (omaraolga@yahoo.ca)
TO THE EDITOR: In view of these sincere remarks, based on memory and later observations, they may not appeal to some individuals so I was wondering if withholding my name would be appropriate.
August 27, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Good Luck with your teaching, I have lectured students of that age group for 24 years now. If they wish to read my blog ‘An Unrepentant Communist’ they will see that there are a wide range of political views in the West.
I find this blog most informative of life currently in Russia…Some of you may be interested in my blog from Ireland which contains an article linling to a lot of Soviet Music..
I would like to invite your students and you in Russia and elsewhere to view my blog ‘An Unrepentant Communist
http://unrepentantcommunist.blogspot.com/
Greetings to you all from County ’ Kerry in Ireland!
August 30, 2007 at 1:48 pm
how did you find a position at Novo State U and do you need credentials?
many thanks
September 4, 2007 at 5:46 am
Chris,
I got the job here through a U.S. fellowship program called Fulbright (http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html). I didn’t find it on my own. I have some limited teaching experience, but my main credentials were those required by the Fulbright program– my application, essays, proficiency in Russian language, etc.
Gabriel,
Thanks for the comment, I’ll check out your blog at some point.
-Dusty
February 3, 2008 at 7:28 pm
where is this Paris Hilton sex tape video tip
Recently leaked footage of the new Paris Hilton sex tape.
September 10, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.