Learning Russian in USA
Needs and opportunities for professional and personal use of Russian in the USA grow up. Among Russian emigrants
1 million 200 thousand people master Russian language, considering it the basic language. The number of studying Russian
in high schools and colleges is about 34 thousand people. The number of those who study Russian in the USA has changed
for last 20 years. Thus, in the beginning of 90th American students-specialists demonstrated a special interest to
Russian philology and Russian culture. Later it decreased. Within last years was planned the new rise, accompanied by
efforts of the American experts to work out the theoretical basis of studying llanguages. The national center of foreign
languages directly declares, that "ability to communicate in Russian is central for well-being of the United States,
and, possibly, it will mean even more in the foreseeable future".
Created in 1974 as professional association of the teachers of high and secondary educational institutions the American
association of teachers of Russian (ÀSPRYL) became now the organization working at expansion of scientific, methodical
and educational development in the field of studying Russian and English languages, and also at strengthening of
communications between researchers and teachers of language, literature and culture of the USA and former republics
of USSR.
Within last twenty years ÀSPRYL successfully supported studying of Russian and carried out programs of an exchange with Russia
(and other members of the CIS), publications of books, carrying out of scientific researches.
As a result the American government and members of the Congress cooperate with ÀSPRYL as with the qualified, reliable and favourable
partner in business of development of a world policy in the field of mutual understanding, construction of democracy, the technical
help and the international training of experts. Work of ÀSPRYL promotes development of learning Russian in the United States in
two directions: first, maintenance rather greater sums of scientific researches, preparations of teachers, improvements of textbooks,
grants, and secondly, programs of an exchange of schoolboys, students, experts, etc., (which are rather expensive programs).
Process of gradual "opening" of the Soviet society promoted creation of the American council on cooperation in the field of education
and language studying (ACCELS), playing the major role among the American organizations financed by the government of the USA and
developing academic and scientific programs of an exchange. Besides ACCELS allocates means supporting students, teachers and the science
officers interested in language employment, training, and also in carrying out and scientific researches in the CIS countries (except for
Russia) and in the countries Central and the East Europe.
The activity of ASPRYL, being private noncommercial academic association and working on conditions of an educational and
scientific exchange, is directed on increase of a level of an education system, improvement of vocational training and expansion of
opportunities of scientific researches in Russia and other countries of the world where language intermediary is Russian, and on support
of studying languages and cultures of this region in USA.
Recognizing importance of a high level of mastery of a language and deep the stone pine of culture of the studied country for
maintenance of normal attitudes between the USA and the countries of region, àñïðÿë/àêñåëñ pays special attention to studying and
teaching of Russian and other languages, creation of textbooks, and also carrying out of the academic programs in the country
of studied language and-or culture.
The basic purpose of all programs of ASPRYL is to attract interest to learning Russian at schools and universities of the USA
where the quantity of students-specialists in Russian philology for last years reduced. However administration of àñïðÿë/àêñåëñ hopes
that it is temporary process and expresses confidence, that in the USA there will be a need in the qualified experts working in the
different spheres and possessing knowledge of languages, culture of various nationalities living in the East Europe and territory of
former Soviet Union.
The program of a training exchange (Curriculum Consultant Exchange) enables Americans, without leaving the USA to improve skills
of Russian language, and to the Russian citizens - to improve the knowledge of English language. To solve these problems experts go
to schools, colleges, universities for a semester or for the whole academic year as regular advisers in the field of teaching Russian
and English languages. For the first time specialists in Russian philology-teachers ÐÊÈ have arrived To the USA per 1977, and from now
on the program never stopped. Â1993-1994 educational to year in the USA on full financial maintenance ÀSPRYL 11 teachers worked, and 31
more teacher by means of this organization has been directed to colleges and university of the USA, ready independently to finance
their stay.
In turn, 11 American teachers worked this year in Moscow Lomonosov State University and at the Russian state pedagogical university.
The program of an exchange is initiated by News agency of the USA and realized by ÀSPRYL.
The summer program of an exchange of teachers of Russian and English of languages has been created in 1986 for teachers of high schools
and universities. From the American part accepting high school in 1993 was university Dreksel where intensive language employment were
spent, and also questions of a modern technique were discussed, conversations about the American culture were conducted, the various
cultural program has been organized.
The American teachers were trained in Russia the State pedagogical university in them. Herzen and at philological faculty of the Moscow
State University it. Ì.Â. Lomonosov where except for adjustment employment on grammar, phonetics and a colloquial practice have heard at
the choice of ñïåöñåìèíàðû ëèòåðàòóðîâåä÷åñêîãî, linguistic or regional geographic cycles, and also have devoted a lot of time to the
decision of concrete questions of a technique of teaching of Russian - language as foreign.
Organizers of this program are assured, that, except for improvement of professional skill of the participant of a direct exchange, its
colleague and administration of schools - participants of the program also expand the professional outlook, having learned a lot of new
about an education system and the methodical approaches accepted in other country.
Except thel programs of educational and scientific cooperation, ASPRYL organizes also programs of vocational training and the retrainings intented for the experts in the field of economy, political science, management.
Besides teaching exchanges, ÀSPRYL pays attention to methodical supplying of educational process. In 1993/94 a number of educational books on Russian and English language has been created within the Program of changes in the field of the humanities (the program was subsidized by fund of Soros, it was actively supported by Goskomvuz and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, one of co-chairmen is D.Davidson).
ÀSPRYL initiated publishing of educational books which are capable to improve teaching of Russian language.
ÀSPRYL`s publishing plays the important role in maintenance of interest to studying Russian in America, and also in supplying of
colleges and schools with necessary educational and cultural-educational materials. In development of similar materials ÀSPRYL
applies the complex approach in teaching of the foreign language, incorporating communicative structures, grammar, and also
understanding of cultural features of the country of studied language.
Two basic series of manuals and materials deserve special interest: one series is developed for pupils of high schools, another
is addressed to students of colleges.
A school series under the name "Face to face", created by the teachers of Russia and America under Dan Davidson's general edition,
is calculated on 4 years of studying of Russian in the senior classes of high school and presented by the complete set of teaching
materials for êàæ äîãî year of the training, consisting of the textbook, the working book for students, videofilm, audiocassettes,
and also the book for the teacher. A series is the first and unique attempt to create the course of Russian language for high school,
providing sufficient preparation and logic base for continuation of studying of language at a level of high school.
A university series " Russian: stages of studying " covers 3 years of teaching of Russian at universities and is noted for combination
of the communicative approach with teaching of fundamental grammar and structure of language.
(From the book History of teaching of
Russian as Foreign Language/Ed. by Shukin A.N.)
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