psulanguages

PSU Student Wins All-Russian English Dictation

02.02.2024 / , , , , ,

Perm State University (PSU) has hosted for the All-Russian English Dictation among university students, initiated by the Kazan Federal University (KFU). In 2023, more than 32,000 participants from 75 regions of Russia, as well as Argentina, Belarus, Cuba, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Thailand, UK and Uzbekistan joined the Dictation, including 117 students from PSU and other Perm-based educational institutions.

The main theme of the recent dictation has become “21st Century Skills Set” – reflecting upon fast change and exponential growth induced by the modern age. The dictation text had been prepared by teachers of the Institute of International Relations at KFU.

“Public events such as dictations motivate students to learn English and help improve students’ literacy. Dictation in English is a great opportunity to get acquainted with updated examples of the living English language, enrich one’s vocabulary, test the knowledge of English spelling and punctuation, and practice listening comprehension,” says Natalya Khorosheva, Dean of the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, PSU.

The winner of the All-Russian dictation in English in 2024, as well as in 2023, has become Dmitry Smirnykh-Pershin, a student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at PSU. We challenged Dmitry with a brief interview on his victory and related circumstances that help him to keep the winner’s shape for that long:  

– What attracts you to the English language?

– Brevity.

– What helped you win the All-Russian English Dictation? And, what advice would you give to the future contestants?

– I believe my personal natural desire for literacy helped me at winning the Dictation. I would advise anyone interested in such competitions to grow the habit of reading English literature, in their everyday life.

– Which ways would you like to practice your knowledge of English?

– The language provides opportunity to communicate with both famous and ordinary people, it all depends on the tasks assigned. If I were giving a tour around Perm, I would probably show foreigners the location of the Kama Valley: unsuitable for construction previously, incorporating new construction technologies, they are going to build the new international student campus here.

– Do you have a favourite joke in English?

– In terms of humor, the English language is pun- and play-on-word inviting. It is great when the joke comes naturally, born in context, and you are its author: “For instance, if a person is called a ‘deer’ in Russia, this is a manifestation of discontent, but for English language speakers it might appear very amicable. The explanation is that the words “deer” and “dear” are homonymous, while in Russian they sound totally different.

– Do you have a hobby? Does it have anything in common with the English language?

– I like chess. English, like any other language, and communication in general, resemble this game: I speak only after I have thought through the complete phrase. Discovering a new figure of speech or another language phenomenon can be compared to learning a new tactics in a game. Comprehension of the language, as well as the rules of chess, help to develop foresight – the ability to calculate all possible steps, to follow.

– Thank you and good luck with your studies, Dmitry!

– Thank you!

Young Talents Announced by PSU Olympics in Languages

18.03.2022 / , , ,

The Young Talents Olympics in Foreign Languages ‘2022 has taken place in Perm, Russia. More than 200 schoolchildren showed their knowledge in French, English and German. 120 students of 8-11 grades, coming from Perm territory, Moscow region and neighboring countries got the opportunity to take part.

The final stage of the Young Talents, held in a shape of a Translation Quest, consisted of several original texts of different genres – to be translated into Russian. Each language was linked to a specific field – the English part regarded traces of the national character, the French one – aromas, and the German one – cars. A particular task in English and French was linked to poetry, considered as fairly hard by many.

During the assessments, the jury checked the ability of contestants to interpret texts of different genres, correctly express ideas in Russian, create a text in the style required, deal with realities of foreign culture, as well as evolve the sense of language and a creative approach in translation.

The Young Talents Olympics was organized by the Department of Linguistics and Translation, Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, PSU.

PSU Celebrates International Mother Language Day

22.02.2022 / , , ,

PSU experts in history and humanities discussed languages spoken in Russia, comprising its culture and serving its overall diversity.

Of all the languages of Russia, Russian, the most widely spoken language, is the only official language at the national level. There are 35 languages which are considered official languages in various regions of Russia, along with Russian. There are over 100 minority languages spoken in Russia today.

Dr. Nadezhda Borisova, Researcher in Language Policy, and Dean of the Faculty of History and Political Science, Perm State University, spoke about the state of languages in the new edition of the ScienceCast University broadcast.

“The legislation regulating languages exists in almost all national republics within Russia – allowing regional authorities to support the languages of ethnic minorities. In Tatarstan, for instance,  there are conditions exist for learning Mari or Udmurt, besides Russian and Tatar,”

comments Dr. Borisova.

In the broadcast, Dr. Nadezhda Borisova focused on the importance of comprehending native languages along their preservation. Besides most obvious values of such an activity, she also mentioned its contribution to the overall positive national image, as well as the practical use of learning.

Speaking about the improvement of Russian as a state language, Dr. Nadezhda Borisova says, the overall historical background should be taken into consideration – like recent amendments to the Russian Constitution in 2020. At the same time, ethnic minority languages still depend on regional legislation.

 “A language lives as long as it is being used. One should enjoy the opportunity to apply to the court or authorities or be able to read “Harry Potter”, using one’s native language. All this requires dictionaries, textbooks and even keyboards. Supporting language is a timeless job,”

said Dr. Nadezhda Borisova.

International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of Linguistic diversity and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. First announced by UNESCO in 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.

Mother Language Day is part of a broader initiative “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world”. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh, fighting for recognition of their  Bangla language since 1948.

PSU Scholars Participate 3rd Winter School of Translation

31.01.2022 / , , , , ,

On 27-29 January, PSU linguists, translators and interpreters are taking part in the 3rd Winter School of Translation (St. Petersburg, Russia). Empowered by its online format, the number of the School participants has already exceeded 1200 people from 39 countries, which is a record.

The School program covers over a dozen language sections, including English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, German, Dutch, Japanese, and more. In 2022, the Turkish section is being held for the first time.

Well-known teaching professors and practicing experts in translation have been invited as speakers. Both lectures and workshops urge to update knowledge in a variety of subject areas, exchange experience, establish professional contacts, and expand skills in various aspects of translation.

The School has been organized by St Petersburg University (SPbU).

According to the School Organizing Committee, “the relevance of topics, as well as speakers’ status and experience make it sure the 3rd Winter School of Translation is gaining attention among the professional community. No doubt, the School’s regular character is already becoming a solid foundation for strengthening ties and maintaining interest within the translation profession.”

PSU Student from Columbia Wins Russian Language Contest

27.12.2021 / , , , , , , ,

Fernando Castro (Columbia), 1st year student at the Faculty of Geology, PSU, took 3rd place at the Perm City Inter-University Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language.

In 2021, students from 9 countries and 6 Perm-based universities, entered the Olympiad. The contest tasks included a test, an written, and oral tasks. The winners of the Olympiad are:

1st place – Umaima Guidir, Morocco

2nd place – Wongai Chimamise, Zimbabwe

3rd place – Fernando Castro Eszibel Eloy, Colombia

To apply for the Olympics, contestants had to introduce themselves, talking about their age, studies and and hobbies, country of origin, future profession and future plans, as well as feedback about Perm.

The founders and organizers of the Olympiad were Perm Agrarian and Technological University; Perm City Youth Parliament; Perm Ethno-Centre Non-Profit Partnership; and Perm City Youth Palace. For the second year, the Olympiad takes place in online format. The has been supported by grant from Perm City Competition of Youth Initiatives Improving Inter-Ethnic Harmony.

Supporting the initiative, the grant competitors offer projects aimed at inter-university interaction of foreign students, improving inter-ethnic relations and international communication in Perm. Some projects regard social and cultural adaptation of foreign students, other aim to develop their creativity and individual progress, preventing inter-ethnic conflicts.

Russian Language for Foreigners? Give It a Try!

17.11.2021 / , , , ,

International undergraduates studying in Perm will take part in the IV City Inter-University Olympics Test in Russian as a Foreign Language, to be held on 30 November (10am, local time), in an online format.

Students of preparatory departments and 1st year undergraduates are welcome to participate. Certificates will be given to all the contestants. The winners will receive special prizes.

To participate in the Test, you must record a presentation video, and fill out the form. The video should contain answers to the following questions:

  • What is your name?
  • How old are you?
  • Where did you come to Russia from? (city, country)
  • What is your future profession?
  • Why did you choose to study in Russia?
  • What are your hobbies or interests?
  • How do you spend your spare time?
  • What do you like about Perm?

The answers may be video-recorded via phone, photo- or video-camera, and must contain clear image and sound.

Applications are accepted until 17 November, included.

Please, look for a full application link below the post.

Application form.

Details of the Competition.

Be inspired – Previously, we told you how PSU International Students Succeeded in Global Russian Language Test.

PSU Geographer Becomes Best Guide and Translator, Nationally

07.10.2021 / , , , , , ,

Azat Safaryan, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Perm State University (PSU) has been announced a winner of the All-Russian Professional Competition in Tourism, within a “Guide-Translator” sub-nomination. For the second year in a row, Perm-based professionals are being awarded this title.

Besides his research and teaching competences in Geography, Azat speaks fluent English. For more than five years, he has been showing progress as a guide-translator. He also contributed to the making of the Perm Map Brand App, a city database developed through real feedbacks from citizens.

The Perm Map Brand App allows users to learn about Perm landmarks, providing photos and locations, including museums, monuments, hotels, restaurants, dance clubs, learning and study sites, sport and yoga centers, gardens and parks, or just nice places for ‘picture opportunity’.

Perm is a multicultural community, and Azat bears roots in Armenian culture.

“Perhaps, my advantage is the fact I am not a native Permian. The mixed view on behalf both the local resident and a tourist gives me the opportunity to adapt the content individually for each visitor,”

says Azat Safaryan.

The All-Russian Professional Competition in Tourism is held annually by the Federal Agency for Tourism. 145 participants from 50 regions of the Russian Federation became its nominees on the federal level, in 2021.

Interested in Perm Map Brand App? Load for free.
More news on PSU at the University international website.

Learn New Profession with No Studies Sacrificed

14.09.2021 / , , ,

Seeking for an extra advantage for your CV? Curious about studying in abroad, yet longing to upgrade your language? Looking for additional income, now?

Should you be positive about any of these questions, then the “Manager for Intercultural Communication” course at the Littera Language Center, PSU is likely for you!

Based on a credit-modular training system, the course combines core disciplines with a personal plan by the students: the English language and translation classes are accompanied by electives (business and academic communication, oral interpretation, and running city tours), plus optional modules (preparation for IELTS, mediation, second foreign language, pronunciation, intercultural communication, etc.). Both online and offline modes are available.

After completing the program, the student gets a certified diploma by Perm State University, stating the qualification of a Manager in Intercultural Communication. The diploma allows to officially perform as a specialist in international relations, a translator, a mediator, or a tour guide.

To remind, the Littera Language Centre is a part of the Regional Institute of Continuing Education, a division of Perm State University. It owns an exclusive license to run official IELTS and TOEFL international exams, regionally. The Center provides English language courses for adults and children on a constant basis. The teaching process involves communication techniques and CELTA international standards, as well as multimedia equipment, English native speakers and interactive formats. Since 2004, the Center has trained more than 5,000 specialists in the field of communication, translation and extended use of foreign language.

Learn more about the Program here (Russian source).
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