Russian as a Foreign Language for Diplomats

Natalya Andreevna Afanasyeva
Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Its Teaching Methods at St. Petersburg State University.

- Developing oral speech and communication skills in Russian in diplomatic situations.
- Developing reading and comprehension skills in Russian, including official documents and diplomatic literature.
- Fundamentals of Russian grammar and syntax.
- Russian culture and traditions: country studies, history, art, customs, etc.
- Expanding vocabulary and specialized terminology in the diplomatic field.
- Developing intercultural communication skills and understanding the peculiarities of the Russian mentality.
- Utilizing modern technologies and online resources for learning the Russian language.
- Practical exercises, role-playing games, and workshops.

- A prestigious educational institution: St Petersburg University (SPbU) is one of the leading universities in Russia with a rich history and a high level of academic teaching.
- A team of highly professional instructors actively involved in various international projects and possessing extensive experience in teaching Russian as a foreign language (RFL) both in Russia and abroad. The instructors are authors of popular textbooks and teaching materials on RFL.
- The emphasis on a diplomatic discourse: the program pays special attention to developing skills in official communication and diplomatic discourse. Students will receive not only language training, but also practical skills, necessary for diplomatic negotiations and successful communication with colleagues and partners.
- Staying in St. Petersburg, one of Russia's cultural and historically significant cities, provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Russian language and cultural environment. It allows them to apply their language skills in practice, interact with native speakers, and explore the rich heritage and history of Russia.

Upon completion of the program, trainees will know:
- the peculiarities of formation and usage of the studied language phenomena;
- the most significant cultural and regional realities.

Trainees will be able to:
- in speaking: engage in a dialogue in everyday and professional communication situations, taking on the role of both an initiator and a responder;
- in writing: compose an official letter (inquiry) to a Russian organization;
- in reading: read and comprehend the texts based on the studied language material within the topics covered in the training program;
- in listening: listen to and understand the main content of audio texts within the topics covered in the training program.