Fairy tales, drama performances and Russian songs are some of the ways leading to the deep secrets of the everlasting richness of the Russian language and culture
An exhibition entitled “The Russian centre at Varna Free University – 5 years in the world of Russian World” and a round table “Young Specialists in Russian – an Important Part of the Russian World” marked the beginning of the 6th International summer qualification school “Modern Pedagogical Technologies in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language”.
The international school is one of the most successful projects of Russkiy Mir Foundation, which started back in 2009, when the university centre was opened. For the six years of its existence, the school has turned from a national into an international event, with around 300 students having taken part in it. It has built a reputation as one of the most prestigious forums for Russian language specialists in Bulgaria.
This year, the school welcomes 60 participants from 13 universities from Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
The international summer qualification school was opened by the President of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” Prof. DSc Anna Nedyalkova and the CEO of Russkiy Mir Foundation Vladimir Kochin.
I think this project is unique, in the first place, with the fact that it is oriented towards those students who have chosen to pursue a career in teaching Russian as a foreign language. I would like to congratulate you on your choice, dear young people, and I’m sure that a good future awaits you. I think the uniqueness of this project also lies in the fact that it meets the new requirements for incorporating advanced technologies in education, for a knowledge-based economy and society. It is also unique because it builds bridges not only between universities and countries, but for the first time this year, it does so between Europe and Asia. I hope that this year the school will impress you with our remarkable lecturers, with the people who once again will show you that it is absolutely possible to travel through the fairy tale, the drama performance and the Russian song, and reach the deep secrets of the everlasting richness of the Russian language and culture, said Prof. Nedyalkova in her opening speech.
The CEO of Russliy Mir Foundation Vladimir Kochin highly appreciated the organization of the event, and thanked the President of Varna Free University for the support the higher education school gives to the development and popularization of the Russian language and culture, not only in Bulgaria but also in Europe. He reminded the audience that, being part of the official languages of the UN, Russian is competitive, therefore using modern educational technologies, which is the school’s priority, is so important.
Welcoming words were said by the general consul of the Russian Federation in Varna, His Excellency Yuriy Solovyov. He emphasized the uniqueness of the forum, and the professional continuity between different generations of Russian language specialists.
On behalf of the mayor of Varna, Mr. Ivan Portnih, an official address to the participants of the international qualification summer school was read by Lilia Hristova, Head of the Education, Youth Activities and Sport Directorate: “I congratulate you on your ability to build up the authority of the Russian Centre of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” as a major qualification centre for pedagogical practice, and to inspire with the wisdom of the past and the faith in the future.” reads the congratulatory address of the mayor.
Present at the opening ceremony were also the Rector of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” Prof. DSc Galya Gercheva, the Vice Rector for research Prof. Pavel Pavlov, PhD, the Vice Rector for educational affairs Prof. Valeri Stoyanov, PhD, faculty deans, university lecturers and staff.
The school’s programme continues with a master class „Get to Know Russia at the Primary Stage of Learning Russian as a Foreign Language“, led by Dr. Stoyanka Pochekanska, Chief Expert in Russian at the Ministry of Education and Science, followed by the lecture of Prof. DSc Efremov “Russian Language on the Internet: Linguistic and Didactic Aspects”. On Tuesday, August 19, Prof. Efremov will have a second master class, “Internet Dictionaries and Dictionaries on the Interrnet”.
The programme also includes a master class in Business Russian on Wednesday, August 20, at 10:45. The Starry Night of Russian Language Specialists, which has turned into one of the school’s symbols, will take place on the same evening. The following day, Thursday, August 21, is dedicated to the Russian centres, and is going to take place in the town of Nessebar. The school finishes on Friday, August 22, with a master class „Game Techniques in Teaching Russian“, a seminar on contemporary Russian, and a following round table “Innovation in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language: a Review of the Latest Developments” moderated by Prof. Moskovkin and Prof. Shamonina.
