The study of Russian language provokes interest at a much deeper level. To begin with, the Russian alphabet is radically different from English. Imagine the opportunity to learn a language from the ground up, to construct it yourself from its basic building blocks. And yet, the Russian alphabet is strikingly simple to learn because it is phonetic. This means there are no silent letters or trick pronunciations. Each word is pronounced exactly as it is written. Furthermore, Russian language has unique elements that appeal to those who love structure and organization as well as those who love expression and emotion. Russian grammar is highly structured and provides an incredible framework that appeals to the mathematician and puzzle-solver. But Russian vocabulary and intonation are finely tuned and expressive, perfect for the poet and the author. For those who have a general love of languages, Russian opens a door to the rest of the Slavic languages. An understanding of Russian can help you communicate with the citizens of Czech, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Belorussia and Ukraine and all of the former republics of the Soviet Union.

Russian language classes provide an excellent path to the material benefits and the pure joy of learning the Russian Language. In Russian classes we use role-playing, pictures, films, cultural activities and games to provide a variety of approaches to learning the language. Students will learn to read Russian literature and newspapers and they will have rigorous conversation practice. Every year students participate in state and national competitions such as the Minnesota Olympiada of Spoken Russian and the National Russian Essay Contest. This year one of our students won the Olympiada Grand Prize at the national level and traveled to Russia to compete at the international level!

 Russian language courses can provide full preparation for and participation in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which allows students to demonstrate their knowledge according to rigorous, internationally agreed-upon standards. We prepare for the IB by developing oral presentation skills, writing essays and completing other written exercises. (The IB can be another one of those “flashing signs” on a college recruiter’s desk.) In addition, students may have the option of participating in the prototype Advance Placement (AP)