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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!

Vuelta al Pasado! Back to the Past! PSU History Gets New Voices

11.07.2023 / , , , , , ,

3rd year students of the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, PSU, have successfully defended and tested a group project in partnership with the Museum of PSU History. The team of Arina Azanova, Evgenia Demchenkova, Anastasia Efimovskikh, Elizaveta Mayorova and Elizaveta Tyurina designed and delivered the “Back to the Past: the Origin of PSU” tour for university students from China, Colombia, and Peru – followed by tour guides printed in Russian, English and Spanish.

Luckily, the ‘language tours’ by PSU students met a request for volunteer initiatives by the Museum. “We love such coincidences. They prove the museum is not just a repository of artifacts, but a living part of the University, incorporated into the educational process,” admits Maria Mingaleva, head of the Museum of PSU History. “In the students’ move, we saw a strive to make a good and sought-after product. We will be glad if they become our volunteers and help guide tours for foreign students.”

“The Chinese group appeared much more uneasy to interact with, as it was difficult for them to rely on voice only, without text. Most of all, they were intrigued by an old Chinese book,” shares Arina Azanova, a project participant. “The guys from Peru were easier to communicate with, we felt more spontaneous and confident, and maintained to run a dialogue. Sometimes it seemed that it was them who made the tour. Despite the groups were quiet different, we managed to get an extraordinary cultural experience.”

“It was truly exciting to create the original product of ours. No one gave us a ready-made text for translation. Surely, we did rely on materials available, including tours by the Museum staff, books and articles on PSU history. Our task was not just to collect data, but also transform it and adapt for another ‘mindset’. It’s been important for us to find balance within the text without overloading it with unnecessary information, and at the same time, make it interesting,” notes Evgenia Demchenkova.

“Not only did we try to immerse international students in the university history, but also create a kind of new tradition – the one that reflects our hospitality towards foreign guests, and eagerness to interculturally communicate,” says Elizaveta Mayorova. “As far as we discovered, tours around Museum of PSU History have not been conducted in other languages, before. So, we feel like a part of new trend or University tradition, which we do hope to develop!”

59 students from the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures prepared 12 reports aimed at both the University community and Perm Territory residents, as well as wider Internet audience. A distinctive feature of the group projects is their target audience focus, offer and demand character, ability to run dialogue with an employer, and customer-oriented result. Students practice creating multi task teams, using individual talents and knowledge, and challenge themselves with new objectives – like creating websites, shooting videos, recording podcasts, designing posters and writing press releases.

The project activities for the Faculty students in 2023 included the support of the LAMPA International Film Festival, supervision of PSU international students, support of environmental initiatives and comfortable campus space, running city tours and helping University museums, child training in robotics, interaction with PSU partners, promotion of language centers and PSU Academic Library, popularization of local urban folklore and Komi-Permyak culture.

“It was great to realize that our students’ initiatives have something in common regardless their association with different faculties. Taking that cross-field path is extremely promising and important for the University, especially when such initiatives aim at implementing socially significant tasks, contributing to the overall University progress,” notes Olga Meshcheryakova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Extracurricular Activities, PSU.

“We Are”: Perm-Based International Students Celebrate Cultures at PSU

22.12.2022 / , , ,

On November 17, Perm State University hosted for the “We Are” Inter-University Festival of International Students – uniting international students from

35 contestants from 10 countries of the world performed at the Festival, supported by 200 natives and many more Russian friends – 13 group advisers, 60 volunteers, as well as representatives from 7 Perm-based universities: Perm State Medical University, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy, Higher School of Economics, Perm Branch, Perm State Institute of Culture, Perm State Agro-Technological University and Perm State University.

The Festival program included a recognition of the brightest international students of Perm, the Cultural Fair, the Sport Together barrier line, the World Cuisines culinary battle, the Graffiti Walls art stage, and the final live performance, followed by a friendly tea party. The Festival guests relaxed in a Creativity Space – practicing art therapy, creating a multicolored patchwork of sketches and prints.

The Cultural Fair united PSU Center of Foreign Culture,  PSU Students’ Media Center, PSU Students’ Eco Council, PSU Student Teams, Perm Regional Center for Foreign Students (at the Ministry of Education and Science of Perm krai), the All-Russian Civil Movement “Medical Volunteers” in Perm krai.

On the day of the Festival, a culinary battle took place: having received recipes and products, the participants were challenged to cook dishes of various cuisines of the world — from okroshka to bruschetta — as part of international teams. The winners became a united team of students from China, Turkmenistan and India from three Perm universities  – presenting their variation of the Japanese sushi.

According to Diana Kipyatkova, the Festival organizer at PSU, ‘We Are’ appears the brightest and most unusual venue in Perm, second to none, a palletful of colors, national costumes and languages, a virtual trip around the world. Having uniting the universities of the city, the Festival gives an opportunity to see foreign students not only as representatives of cultures, but as personal talents:

“We hope all the participants felt the friendly atmosphere of the Festival, and passed its vibe further on. This is the place to meet real friends and join a wider student community – getting to know oneself, sharing national culture, growing individually and most importantly, enjoying the moment!”

Mohammed Al Lami (Iraq), student of the Faculty of Geography and a graduate of the Faculty of Chemistry, PSU, shares his sparkle:

“This is the most amazing festival! Last time I was an organizer and presenter, it was a wonderful experience. A lot of people and positive emotions are what remained in the memory. This year I expect even more interesting activities, bright colors, people. I’m sure it will be fun!”

Jakkapob Dach-In (Thailand), a student of the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, recollects:

“In 2018, I went on stage to talk about life in Russia as a foreigner. I remember there were a lot of international students from all over Perm. Some shared their experience of living here, some performed, singing or dancing. This year I am gladly broadening my vision of that.”

According to “We Are” organizers, the goal of the Festival is to help international students adapt to the Russian student community – involving them into student associations, creating positive atmosphere in hostels, initiating new international projects. For the Russian students, it is an opportunity to practice foreign languages ​​with native speakers, with foreigners experiencing less language gaps.

International Linguists Discuss Teaching Practices

28.12.2022 / , , , ,

On 24-25 October, 2022, an international online conference “Linguistic Technologies and Innovative Language Teaching” was held at Perm State University, as part of Perm International Forum “Science and Global Challenges of the 21st Century”. 

Despite Covid restrictions in 2021 and growing number of objectives, the scholars managed to dive into the process of fruitful collaboration, internationally. The Department of English Language and Intercultural Communications at Perm State University (PSU) encouraged a broader dialogue – inviting colleagues from all over Russia, as well as long-time partners Prof. Dr. Michael Losavio and Prof. Dr. Adel Elmaghraby (University of Louisville, USA), and Prof. Dr. Reima Sado Al-Jarf (King Saud University, Saudi Arabia) to participate. Due to Professor Svetlana Polyakova, one of the key contributors to science diplomacy at PSU and in Perm, academic links grow into bigger projects and sister cities’ links.  In 2022, the conference participants included students and teachers from Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and the USA.

The scholars’ reports considered corpus-oriented approach to analyzing texts of different genres, comparisons within English scientific and technical discourse; news bioethics terminology; ethical-legal-technical challenges with the Internet of things; impact of pandemic crisis on university management; metaphors in philosophical discourse; cognitive linguistic analysis in advertising; economical, linguistical, juridical and educational issues in naming companies; approaches regarding British fiction as a tool in  tertiary level education.

“As a Conference co-organizer and contributor, I feel a certain tendency of scholars at finding something unexpected, yet catchy and prospective, long ahead standard expectations. Comparing reports of our foreign partners to those from Russian universities, I’d say the former tend to be more tech-oriented – regarding issues of digital technologies within the use of artificial intelligence, or machine learning in relation to a more humane world. Revealing the difference in academic paradigm in Russia, the Western countries and Eastern world, seems like a promising topic for a new research,”

says Konstantin Klochko, Head of the Department of English Language and Intercultural Communications, PSU.

Among the Conference participants are the University of Louisville (USA), Delta State University (USA), King Saud University, Moscow State University, St Petersburg University, National Research N. P. Ogarev Mordovia State University, and many more scholars from joint research projects.

PSU Celebrates International Translation Day

22.12.2022 / , ,

Students and teaching staff of the Department of Linguistics and Translation, Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, PSU, have celebrated International Translation Day.

For the Faculty, the 2021-2022 academic year had been fruitful in achievements and events. The Faculty students became winners in international translation competitions and language contests, research,  international projects with Mexico and Spain, translation volunteering and inclusive training at the University of Grenoble-Alpes (France).

The Department of Linguistics and Translation is recently teaching about 400 undergraduate and graduate students in Linguistics, as well as in Translation and Translation Studies. At the holiday, the Faculty announced best students in studies, social activity and translation achievements. Partners from and PSU alumni studying in Spain, Mexico and France shared their video greetings. Video ‘cards’ and creative performances by PSU first-year students topped the holiday celebration.   

The holiday also marked joint research projects by 4th year students in Linguistics and Translation, announcing the prize winner project – a multilingual website for PSU Situation Center, containing info on PSU values, student life, hostels, social and library services, psychological assistance and safety, as well as feedback, all using Russian, English, Chinese and Turkmen languages.

International Translation Day is an international day to recognize translation professionals. Celebrated on 30 September, introduced by the UN General Assembly resolution in 2017, the holiday is linked to St. Jerome, the Bible translator, considered historically as a patron of translators. The day expresses solidarity with the worldwide translation community and translation profession that has become increasingly essential in the era of globalization.

Dr. Boris Proskurnin Becomes PSU Distinguished Professor

22.12.2022 / , ,

PSU Academic Council has awarded the title of Honored Professor of Perm State University to Dr. Boris Proskurnin, Head of the Department of World Literature and Culture, Doctor of Philology, Professor.

For more than 50 years, Dr. Boris Proskurnin has been contributing to PSU progress – starting as a student and a fellow assistant, and reaching the professor and Doctor of Sciences status, devoting most of his life to alma mater. His biography covers building the University literally, as part of a student construction team, as well as a running PSU Student Club (1973-1976). Combining research and teaching activity with the Head of the Department of Foreign Literature post, Dr. Boris Proskurnin also headed PSU International Department (1999-2003) and PSU Methodological Council (1998-2003).

Dr. Boris Proskurnin is among key researchers of Victorian literature in Russia, and an expert on Anthony Trollope (1815-1882). His name is associated with the first contacts with the University of Oxford, contributing to growing sister city relations of Perm and Oxford. For almost twenty years, Dr. Boris Proskurnin served as a Dean of the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages ​​and Literature. Thanks to his personal strive and the team he led, PSU gained new prospects fruited in solid national and internationally recognized projects.

Since 2002, the title of Distinguished Professor has been awarded to professors who have made a significant contribution to Perm State University progress. At the present moment, 27 names of prominent scholars are listed in the Book of Distinguished Professors, stored at the Museum of Perm State University History.

PSU Philologists Contribute to Academic Library Collections, Create New Reading Space

07.09.2022 / , , ,

On 1 September, at the start of the study year ‘2022-2023, PSU Academic Library opened a new reading and interactive space, uniting its collections with the contributions by the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, PSU.

The new branch unites sources on foreign and Russian languages, linguistics, literature, teaching, publishing activity, journalism and public relations. Most of publications are presented in a single copy. PSU international students interested in Russian literature will also find the Library collection useful, getting a handful advice by the Library staff. 

“While creating a new Library space, we have been following those wishes of teachers and students of the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature. The collection will include both by books from other Library sections and newly acquired items. It is important that the Library acts as a space of meaning, combining information sources and a professional approach with a cozy environment and friendly atmosphere of the native ground,”

says Svetlana Solareva, Head of PSU Academic Library.

Among the contributors to the Library branch is the only Victorian Center in Russia, founded in Perm with an assistance by Anglists from Oxford (UK), Stanford and Indianapolis (USA), including Dr. Christopher Harvey, a well-known British expert in English and Scottish history and literature, professor at the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen (Germany).

“Since the launch of the Victorian Center in 1997, we have managed to form a unique collection of books, magazines and materials, starting with British pre-Romantic period (end of the 18th century) to late Victorianism (the beginning of the 20th century), as well as publications on the theory and history of English literature, as well as social and political history of Britain in the Victorian period. The Cente has been subscribed to a number of English and American scientific journals specializing in British literature and culture of the time. The Center co-founder was Mrs. Karen Hewitt, PSU Professor Emeritus from the University of Oxford (UK). Karen strongly supported the idea of ​​passing the Victorian Center collection to the newly opened PSU Library space,”

says Dr. Boris Proskurnin, Head of the Department of World Literature and Culture, PSU.

The collection will available through an open access. In addition, readers might enjoy the opportunity of hiring a book overnight, on weekends or holidays. The branch is headed by Maria Bryukhanova, a graduate of the Faculty of Philology, and a fellow at the Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Folklore Studies, PSU. Maria has already introduced freshmen into the Library collection.

“We are very pleased to have a new library space in our building, where students are able to get acquainted with dedicated academic literature, engage in educational and scientific research. We hope to most effectively fit it into the educational and scientific activities of our staff and students,”

comments Daria Pavlova, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Philology, PSU.

To see the new PSU Academic Library branch, please visit PSU building 5, rooms 140, 142, 144 (Faculty of Philology, Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, PSU.

International Conference in Digital Didactics: Applications Start (due to 20 October)

05.09.2022 / , , ,

On 24-26 November, 2022, the II International Scientific Conference “Digital Didactics” will take place at Perm State University (PSU). The event is initiated by the Department of Linguodidactics and the Office for Innovative Pedagogical Resources, Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, (PSU).  

The Conference participants include speakers from the following European and Northern American institutions: University of Rostock (Germany), University of Louisville (USA), Coventry University (UK), Delta State University (USA), Central Michigan University (USA), Oxford-Brookes University (UK).

The Conference will cover the following research fields:

  • Global and national contexts of modern online education: trends, development scenarios, strategic goals;
  • Digital educational environment: technologies, methods, tools, EdTech;
  • Digital teaching methods and digital didactics standards;
  • Technical components / digital media: App tools, social networks and educational platforms;
  • Design of distance-learning programs and online courses;
  • Digital educational and methodological complexes, modern educational platforms and services;
  • Gamification of teaching process in digital educational environment;
  • Discourses in digital didactics;
  • Media literacy / artificial intelligence;
  • Teacher’s competencies in digital age;
  • Migration and digital education / multilingualism;
  • Analog into digital transfer, and vice versa.

The Сonference is interdisciplinary in nature. Invited to participate are students and teachers of various fields of expertise and specialty, showing interest in digital education and methods of teaching, and ready to share their relevant experience.  

Working languages of the Conference: Russian, German, English.

Forms of participation:

  • online presenter;
  • attendee.

Application dates: due to 20 October, included.

Conference Dates: 24-26 November, 2022

Location: ZOOM platform

For participation, please, register here.

For further information, please, see info letter.

Please, address further questions to: Ekaterina Kupriyanicheva, Executive Secretary, tel.: +7 (902) 804-52-39; e-mail: katya_bukreeva@mail.ru

Linguists Meet PR: PSU Students Defend Group Projects

11.07.2022 / , , ,

Keen on East Slavic mythology? Want to try promoting your national product on the Russian market? Learn places about Perm to chill out, taste national cuisine or make sports? Help international students adapt to the University? Dive into an online tour around PSU campus, museums and Botanical Garden? These topics and more served the starting points for joint research projects by students in Linguistics and Translation at the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures, PSU. The projects’ presentation in the form of the assessment took place on 1 July, 2022.

Addressing the project participants, Dr. Boris Proskurnin, Dean of the Faculty, referred to two major trends in Russian education – an accent on the fundamental knowledge, a reliable theoretical support, in the first place; and, its practical orientation, the applicability to situations in real life, in the second place. In Dean’s vision, PSU students in linguistics and translation act as a link for other university students in their appeal to a bigger multinational world of education and science, which is both a joy, and responsibility.

The students’ presentations showed both dedication to our home University and interest in international cooperation, with a fair strive to help foreign students adapt to the local environment. Along with quite able performance of translation tasks, the project participants demonstrated skills of creating illustrations, videos, websites and media – acting as copywriters, bloggers, SMM managers, PR specialists and journalists.   

Ms Elena Malkova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, PSU, paid attention to three particular characteristics while assisting the students’ research activity. Firstly, the student is no more an object, but rather a subject, an obvious key to action and transformation of reality. Secondly, in the process of work, the students come to understand the ways the university works. Thirdly, while reporting, the teams should think of involving undergraduates into their projects, providing the latter a continuous, cyclical character.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Department of Linguistics and Translation staff and personally to Natalia Khorosheva for a truly and productively organized group project activity,” Ms Elena Malkova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, PSU, has admitted. “This has a potential of growing into a system of events, as well as information and methodological support at working with international students, which complies with the overall youth and social policy at the University.”

The Group Project Activity is a new applied discipline at Perm State University (PSU) included into the overall study plan of all 3rd year students, complies with the federal academic leadership program Priority 2030. The goal of the Program is to form a large group of universities that will become the leaders in creating new scientific knowledge, technology, and developments for introduction into the economy and social sphere in Russia. Within the Group Project Activity, students are invited to implement scientific, cultural, educational or social projects, allowing them to apply their competencies and practice team work.

10 projects have been presented at the assessment event:  

  • The Faculty Promo: presentational video in English with subtitles in Russian and Spanish, introducing the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, PSU, for potential foreign applicants
  • “Media on Perm: People, Events, Places”: a website in Russian and English, with five sections each: “About us”, “Places”, “People”, “Brands”, “Phenomena”, providing original look at most interesting and relevant info about the city for tourists and foreigners living here, with dive in the local culture and “the opportunity to become part of the local community”
  • “PSU Assistance Centre”: a multilingual website for PSU Situation Center – with versions for computers and mobile gadgets. Eight sections – ” Declaration  of Values” , “Student Life”, “Hostels”, “Social Services”, “Psychological Assistance”, “Safety”, “Library Services” and “Feedback” are divided into subsections with most recent information, existing services and official documentation in Russian, English, Chinese, Turkmen languages
  • HOME: “Helping international students with adaptation at the university”, a Telegram channel as a source of information on PSU, with frequently asked questions. The goal of the project was to provide students from abroad with information on the basic structure of the university  – using most fast, comprehensive and friendly ways to deal with questions from studies to everyday life, as well as problem situations
  • “UNI-Quest”: Meet the First in the Urals”: a quest tour around PSU campus for international students (promo video)
  • “Heritage”: a site on East Slavic mythology, introducing foreign and Russian-speaking students into Russian culture
  • The translation of an office design project for a Spanish construction group.

“You Can’t Do Science When You Don’t Know Where to Buy Food”

11.07.2022 / , , ,

As part of group project activity, students of the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, PSU, have presented the HOME multimedia platform – standing for a comfortable adaptation of international students in a new environment – in the city and the university.

Following a formal translators’ task, the project participants intend to pass basic yet important information on Perm State University to the newcomers – using most fast, comprehensive and friendly ways to deal with questions from studies to everyday life, as well as problem situations. As the HOME team states, “it’s impossible to do science when you don’t know where to buy food”.  

The unique feature of the project is that it unites the University and the surrounding area of campus and the city. Addressing specifically the youth audience, the project team uses most appealing formats like infographics, subtitles- and voice- supported video, short posts, memos, etc.

“Having started the project, we discovered that beyond formal procedures and documentation, the University needs a new channel of information – enough comprehensible and useful for international students. This made us choose such a convenient and multifunctional format as a Telegram channel,”

shares Vera Pachgina, 3rd year student in Linguistics and Translation.

The Telegram is known as a cross-platform app accessible from any device, like mobile, laptop or computer. At the moment, 36 people have subscribed to the HOME channel. The Project team is actively engaged in its advertising, and expects positive dynamics:

“Not only does a small step into the Telegram territory enable the improvement in educational activity, it also allows international students to be informally accepted by the University and the city – enabling connections, acting as network elements of a larger mechanism of academic and social activity, rather than a separate, self-contained group. We regard it as key to contribution to the whole student life in Russia,”

the HOME team states.

The launch of the Project provides its makers an opportunity to continue during their 4th year of study, as well as share their duties with the freshers. According to Diana Maslova, head of the team, the HOME is likely to overgrow the initial educational task: “We are keen to support our channel with useful content, following the latest events and relevant information, and expand the language component.”

At PSU, the Group Project Activity is a new applied discipline included in to the 3rd year schedule, as a part of the overall educational process in Russia, under the Priority 2030 Program. Within its framework, students implement scientific, cultural, educational or social projects – allowing students to apply their newly acquired competencies and personal inclinations and into team work.

Need help? Call our International Department at +7 (342) 239-66-55
or feel free to contact us by email: international@psu.ru

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