The aim of the program is to introduce international students to the Russian language and the culture of Russia, as well as to develop basic communication skills in Russian. During the course, participants learn the alphabet, pronunciation rules, basic grammar, and essential vocabulary; they practice reading and writing simple texts, as well as understanding and using common conversational expressions. Classes are held in an interactive format and include dialogues, game-based tasks, and practical exercises aimed at developing communication skills.
The program is designed for students with different levels of proficiency — from beginner to advanced — and helps them gradually deepen their knowledge of the Russian language, expand their vocabulary, and improve their speaking and writing skills. During the course, participants also explore elements of Russian culture and gain practical experience communicating in a Russian-speaking environment. This format allows students not only to learn the language but also to better understand the cultural context of Russia and prepare for further study or life in the country.
The program is designed for students with different levels of proficiency — from beginner to advanced — and helps them gradually deepen their knowledge of the Russian language, expand their vocabulary, and improve their speaking and writing skills. During the course, participants also explore elements of Russian culture and gain practical experience communicating in a Russian-speaking environment. This format allows students not only to learn the language but also to better understand the cultural context of Russia and prepare for further study or life in the country.
ITMO Russian Language and Culture School
Key Information
The course is held at ITMO University. Classes take place on weekdays from 10:00 to 13:00 and include both theoretical and practical sessions aimed at mastering the material and developing participants’ skills. This format allows students to study the program step by step and gain knowledge at an intensive yet comfortable pace.
As part of the program, students work on projects and participate in extracurricular activities that help them better engage with the university environment. Upon completion of the course, participants receive an official certificate from ITMO University confirming successful completion of the program.
Required Documents
Passport scan
(identity document)
Education document scan
(student ID + transcript or higher education diploma)
CV
(resume with information about education, skills, and experience)
Who can participate?
Students
University graduates
Students are assigned to groups based on their language proficiency after completing a placement test
Education Levels
- ✦ BeginnerA course for those who want to get acquainted with the basics of the Russian language, including the alphabet, pronunciation, basic grammar, and vocabulary. You will learn to read and write simple sentences, as well as listen to and understand basic conversational expressions. Students will take part in dialogues, games, and other activities that help develop basic communication skills in Russian. All classes are conducted with a focus on practical language use and in an interactive format under the guidance of qualified and talented instructors from ITMO University.
- ✦ ElementaryA course for those who have already started learning Russian at some point and want to continue progressing along this challenging yet engaging path. In this course, you will review key grammatical structures, the case system, and verbs of motion. The program focuses on communicative language use. You will participate in dialogues, discussions, role-playing games, and other practical activities that help you apply your knowledge in real-life situations.
- ✦ IntermediateA course for those who already know a lot and want to know even more. If you are already confident in most core grammatical structures and can communicate in Russian without major difficulties, we invite you to join the B1-level course. You will deepen your knowledge, expand your vocabulary, discuss contemporary topics, and study relevant grammar and lexical structures such as passive constructions, verb governance, and gerunds.
- ✦ AdvancedA course for those who already have a strong command of the language and want to advance further. During the course, you will work on various aspects of the language, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You will learn to use complex grammatical structures and rich vocabulary to express your thoughts more precisely and effectively. Classes are held in an interactive format with a focus on communicative practice. You will take part in dialogues, debates, role-playing activities, and other tasks that help improve your language skills and deepen your understanding of context.
The course duration is 1 week. Students can choose no more than 2 courses for the entire study period
Program
✦ Speaking Practice
The Speaking Practice course is designed for students who already have basic Russian language skills at B1 level or higher. The aim of this course is to help students develop professional communication skills necessary for effective interaction and confident communication in a Russian-speaking environment. During the classes, students will compare Russian culture with cultures of other countries and global standards, as well as discuss other relevant topics.
✦ History of Russian Social Thought
The course "History of Russian Social Thought" is an engaging and informative journey through centuries and political regimes of Russia. The aim of the course is not only to expand knowledge of Russian history but also to develop analytical thinking and the ability to critically evaluate historical events. Students will discuss and analyze various historical periods, which will help them better understand historical processes and their impact on the present.
✦ Russian Culture
The Russian Culture course provides students with in-depth knowledge of Russian culture, helps develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of Russia’s cultural context. The main focus is on studying key moments and events that have shaped the development of Russian culture. Students will discuss and analyze various aspects of Russian culture, such as literature, art, religion, and history. This will help them better understand the особенностей Russian culture and its contribution to world culture.
✦ Politics and Diplomacy of the Russian Federation
The course is dedicated to the study of the concept of modern Russian statehood and its key aspects, such as the evolution of political system forms, the formation of civil society institutions, and interaction with international organizations — the UN, BRICS, WTO, as well as the EU. The course is adapted for students learning Russian as a foreign language and is aimed at acquiring knowledge of Russia’s political history and improving proficiency in the Russian language, which is one of the six official languages of the UN, UNESCO, and other international organizations.
✦ Russian Poetry
The Russian Poetry course is designed for international students who wish to immerse themselves in the world of Russian poetry, expand their knowledge of the Russian language and culture, and develop emotional and aesthetic appreciation of poetic works. During the course, students will explore various aspects of Russian poetry, including its history, stylistics, themes, and influence on literature. Students will actively participate in discussions and analysis of poetic works, which will help them better understand and appreciate their aesthetic and cultural value.
✦ Culture of the Russian North
This course will help students learn about the Russian North, its nature, culture, and history through the study of the region’s unique characteristics. Students will explore the geographical features of the Russian North, its climate, as well as the history and culture of the region. The course provides an opportunity not only to expand knowledge about Northern Russia but also to improve language skills at a more advanced level. It will help students become more confident in using the language and better understand the cultural особенности of the region.
✦ Great People of Russia
In this course, students will deepen their knowledge of Russian culture and history by studying the lives and achievements of outstanding figures from both the past and present. Students will analyze biographies of famous individuals and discuss their contributions to national and world culture. Each topic will be accompanied by reading original texts, watching video fragments, and in-class discussions. The main focus of the course is on expanding students' vocabulary, as well as practicing grammatical forms and structures.
✦ Russian Cinema
The Russian Cinema course offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Russian filmmaking and expand your knowledge of Russian culture and history through films. During the course, students will explore various aspects of Russian cinema, including its history, genres, and famous directors and actors. They will analyze and discuss different films, study their plots, symbolism, style, and distinctive features. Each topic will be accompanied by watching film excerpts, reading original texts, and classroom discussions.
✦ Part-Time Russian Language
This course is designed for students who plan to combine it with their main academic program or other disciplines. The Part-Time Russian Language course is an excellent opportunity for those who want to start learning Russian or improve their existing skills. A key feature of the course is its flexibility and personalized approach. The program is tailored to each student’s level of Russian proficiency, allowing them to use their time as efficiently as possible and achieve their language goals.
Cultural program activities are held for on-campus students every Saturday
Cultural Program
City Sightseeing Tour
Saint Petersburg is a magnificent city with a rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks. During the sightseeing tour, you will get acquainted with the city’s main symbols, such as the Hermitage, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Enjoy the atmosphere of its streets, art, and architecture that reflect the history of this unique city.
Themed Quest by a Buddy
A traditional competitive quest around the famous landmarks of Saint Petersburg, where you can take great photos, gain memorable impressions of this amazing city, and interact with Russian-speaking ITMO University students from the Buddy System.
Event “Poetic Map of the World”
Let’s embark on a poetic journey around the world: we will explore how poets from different countries and eras have influenced one another. All participants will have the opportunity to share poems from their home countries! And if there are poets among you, we will be happy to listen to your works both in the original and in translation.
Virtual Journey “Russian North”
An engaging event that offers international students of different Russian language levels the opportunity to explore the geography and cultural features of the Russian North in an interactive format. Over the course of an hour, participants will immerse themselves in the fascinating world of this unique region through watching and discussing informative video fragments, and experience the true atmosphere of the North.
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The project is implemented with the support of the Innovation Promotion Fund under the "Student Startup" program as part of the "University Technology Entrepreneurship Platform" initiative of the federal project "Technologies".
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