Russian Language and Area Studies Program

Mon May 26 20:49:20 UTC 1997

Dear Colleagues,

I'd like to take this opportunity to let you know about a language and
area studies program that will be held in Tver, Russia, this summer.
Summer School participants will have the opportunity to improve their
Russian language skills while immersed in Russian life.

Please forward this message to those who may be interested.

Sincerely,
Melinda Farris
Tver InterContact Group

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SUMMER SCHOOL OF RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES
Sponsoring Institutions:
* Institute of Russian Language and Culture
* Tver State University
* Tver InterContact Group
* Tver City Department of Education

Study Russian in Russia's Friendliest City!

June 23, 1997, will mark the opening of the Third Annual Summer School
of Russian Language and Area Studies in Tver. The program will feature
intensive training in the Russian language and associated area studies
complemented by an extensive program of excursions, a unique opportunity
to live with a hospitable Russian family, and the chance to get to know
Russian students at the Institute of International Communication.
Program participants will long remember their visit to the very heart of
Russia.

In addition to the core classroom program, comprised of courses on
Russian language and communication, and lectures and seminars on
literature, philosophy, history and geography, the students will be able
to participate in creative workshops and studios, where they can study
Russian folk art, songs and traditional Russian folk dancing. In the
evenings, participants can gather in the Institute's lounge to practice
their newly-acquired language skills in conversations with their peers
and colleagues to the accompaniment of guitars and songs from around the
world. Weekends feature excursions to area museums and sightseeing trips
to Moscow, St. Petersburg and the ancient Russian provincial cities of
Sergiev Posad, Torzhok and Ostashkov.

The Summer School is held in Tver, an ancient city on the Volga River.
The city is located directly between Moscow (170 km from Tver) and St.
Petersburg (600 km from Tver). The numerous and convenient
transportation routes to Russia's southern and northern capitals make
Tver an ideal place to learn about the national culture, both of the
capitals and the provinces. Tver itself, with nearly 500,000 residents,
has everything necessary for an interesting and active vacation:
museums, galleries, theaters, concert halls, gyms and night clubs. The
bulk of the program's academic activities takes place at the Institute
of Russian Language and Culture, which is located in the city's
historical center on Tryokhsvyatskaya Street. In the summer, this
pedestrian street becomes the city's favorite place for relaxation,
strolling around the shops and meeting with friends. It is only a few
minutes' walk from Tryokhsvyatskaya Street to the historical city park,
located on the Volga's right bank. The source of this great Russian
river is found in the Tver region, Lake Seliger, a natural pearl of
European Russia.

The Summer School invites everyone: students and teachers, professionals
and amateurs, tourists and experts of all ages and interests to visit
Russia during her most beautiful season, to see with their own eyes her
rich culture, lovingly preserved in the Russian provinces. Do not make
the mistake of seeing Russia through a tour bus window; Russia can only
be understood by living it!  To everyone who chooses to come to Tver in
the summer of 1997 for the opportunity to study and vacation, the Summer
School promises education, entertainment and memories that will last a
lifetime.

SUMMER SCHOOL CALENDAR

The School opens its doors on June 23, and continues through September
8. Students can select from programs of various lengths, from 2-12
weeks. If a student would like to continue studying through the fall
semester, arrangements can generally be made for an extension.

The academic program includes Russian language courses and lectures and
seminars on related area studies. In order to receive the program
certificate, students are required to participate in all academic
activities. The students may select the excursions, creative workshops
and studios in which to participate, according to their individual
interests.

There are also many surprises in the form of unexpected and interesting
acquaintances and meetings which await the program's participants, each
of which may become the basis for new friendships and a better
understanding of Russia. The participants will also have ample free time
for relaxation and recreation.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

The Short Program starting on June 23, and every 2 weeks thereafter,
includes:
* Russian language courses (32 hours)
* a cultural orientation program (8 hours)
* creative workshops (8 hours)
* cultural enrichment program

The Medium Program (3 to 6 weeks) starting on June 23, July 14 and 21,
and August 4 and 18, includes:
* Russian language courses (48-96 hours)
* area studies and humanities seminars (12-24 hours)
* creative workshops (12-24 hours)
* cultural enrichment program

The Full Program (7 to 11 weeks) starting on June 23 and July 21,
includes:
* Russian language courses (112-176 hours)
* area studies and humanities seminars (28-44 hours)
* creative workshop (28-44 hours)
* research work or internship (variable) - new program component,
students may prepare a research paper on a selected topic under the
guidance of a supervisor or participate in a work-study program in a
selected field
* cultural enrichment program

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The program includes 3 basic components:

* Russian language courses (from beginning to advanced levels, 16 hours
per week, Monday through Thursday);

Core Practical Russian Course
- Basic Conversational Course (Survival Russian - elementary to
low-intermediate levels);
- General Russian Language Course (Intermediate to advanced levels).
- Elective Russian Language Classes

All of the Russian language courses are conducted in Russian by
experienced instructors. Each is not only an expert in teaching Russian
as a foreign language to students at different proficiency levels, but
is also a specialist in the theory and methods of teaching the Russian
language.

The Russian language courses encompass all aspects of written and
conversational Russian. The advanced level courses allow students to
improve their skills of communication and pronunciation, to
stylistically enrich their Russian speech, and to improve their
understanding modern Russian. The students will have access to the
Institute's study aids, including newspaper and literary texts, video
and audio materials, dictionaries and other tools which are essential
for training in a foreign language.

* Seminars and lectures in area studies and humanities (Twice a week, 4
academic hours)
- Russian Literature
- Historical, Political and Philosophical Studies
- Linguistic and Translation Studies
- Creative workshops and studios

CERTIFICATES

At the completion of the programs, the Academic Council of the
International Institute of Russian Language and Culture will award to
each participant an official certificate showing those courses
completed, with an indication of the total hours of study in each topic.
The certificate is certified by the Department of Education of Tver and
accredited by the Tver State University. The certification is supported
by the Tver City Council on Education.

US students can receive academic credit through Western Maryland
College. For more information please inquire at the Institute's
International Admissions Department.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

* Students may choose to live in a carefully selected Russian family (a
separate room for one with all of the modern conveniences). This option
includes half board: breakfast and supper. Students are usually invited
to participate in all family activities. Students are requested to
complete a questionnaire on the application form, which aids in placing
the participants with compatible families.

* Or, at the applicant's request the Institute will procure a private
apartment as accommodation. This option does not include half board.

- The International Summer School of Russian Language and Area Studies
is a specialized annual program of the International Institute of
Russian Language and Culture, which is conducted with the financial
assistance of Tver InterContact Group and under the patronage and
partial funding of the Tver City Department of Education. This allows
the Summer School Administration to provide the academic program with
partial tuition waivers for all participants, as reflected in the prices
below. The only expenses to be covered by the students are: round trip
transportation to Russia and living expenses, registration and
administrative fees, room and board, and participation in the
cultural-enrichment programs and excursions.

FOR A COMPLETE INFORMATION PACKET,
PLEASE CONTACT:

Marina Oborina,
Academic Programs Director
International Institute of Russian Language and Culture
c/o Tver InterContact Group
P. O. Box 0565, Central Post Office
170000 Tver, Russia

Tel: +7.0822.425419 or .425439
Fax: +7.0822.426210
E-mail: inforuss at postman.ru or renyxa at redline.ru