For example, in May, the Centre for Russian Language Studies opened in the Cuban capital, where hundreds of Cubans can study Russian for free. The Centre is based at the Orthodox Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Havana. In total, more than 600 applications have been received for the courses, 180 people are currently studying. After that they will be able to take a free Testing in Russian as a foreign language and receive an international certificate confirming their level of Russian language proficiency.
“We are pleased that interest in learning Russian in Cuba is high, and it is worth noting that interest in its study and Russian culture in general is steadily growing,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
In addition, on 16 and 17 November, lectures, master classes and quizzes to promote the Russian language, Russian education and culture were held at the Universidad de la Habana (UH) in Havana. The event was organised by the Moscow State Linguistic University with the support of the Russian House in Havana and the Russian Embassy.
From 17 September to 13 October this year Cuba hosted the educational expedition “Ambassadors of the Russian language in the world”. This is the first visit to Liberty Island by volunteers of the programme.
Volunteers from Pushkin State Russian Language Institute conducted lessons for Cuban students and schoolchildren. All lessons were specially designed by methodologists and took into account different levels of knowledge. The lessons were held in a game form in the form of master classes, quests, there were also creative tasks.
“Volunteers of the programme “Ambassadors of the Russian language in the world” still remember with a smile the days spent on Liberty Island. Classes with schoolchildren, excursions from students of the University of Havana, communication with teachers and the University management – all these moments will definitely be included in the piggy bank of memories of the programme participants. We believe that it is possible to fall in love with Russia in this way, through dialogue, mutual creativity and learning,” said the head of the program Svetlana Ulyanova.
In addition to classes with students of the University of Havana, the ambassadors held open Russian language lessons for students of the Pedagogical University of E. J. Varon, who are just beginning their journey of getting acquainted with it and our culture. In total, more than 330 Cuban schoolchildren and students took part in the events.
“About the Russian language ambassadors who were in Cuba, I can say that they are absolutely beautiful girls with wonderful teaching experience. They worked with preparatory, first and third year students. Our students loved the lessons, learnt a lot and learned a lot of interesting things about Russia and Pushkin. They learnt about Russian songs,” said Arlet Davila Naranjo, first year Russian teacher, Department of Russian and Italian at the University of Havana.
“They also taught Russian lessons in various schools from fourth to ninth grade. I attended these lessons myself and saw them teach the kids the Russian alphabet and a few words. All the kids were very interested and the lessons were dynamic. I was impressed by how quickly they were able to get the kids interested in a completely new language,” she added.
Studying Russian opens up a wide range of opportunities for residents of Latin American countries for further study at Russian universities, professional fulfilment in Russian companies and international business development.
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