translation help

[Irina Shevelenko]

In (1), do you mean "teaching of foreign language"? In Russia, they often cater foreign language instruction to one's field of study, with ability to read texts in a foreign language in this field as a main focus of instruction. "Estestvennaia spetsial'nost'" sounds somewhat awkward, but must be a designation of a field of study ("natural sciences").

(2) There is no equivalent of VAK in the US. VAK confirms degrees such as "kandidat nauk" and "doktor nauk." After one defends, his/her dissertation and other relevant materials are sent to VAK, and VAK either confirms or does not confirm the degree. In the US, an institution where a defense takes place is the sole authority to confirm the degree.

I.Sh. 

On 11/06/11, William Derbyshire   wrote:
> Dear SEELANGERS,
> I am helping a friend translate his academic credentials, and I have come  
> across
> two terms that have stumped me. Can anyone suggest good translations?
> 1.) the first has to do with the teaching of foreign as a:    estestvennaya 
> spetsial'nost
>             Eto chto  takoe??
> 2.) What would be the American equivalent for:  Vysshaya  Attestatsionnaya 
> Kommissiya ?
>  
> Many thanks in advance.   WWD
>  
> *************************************************
> 
> William W. Derbyshire
> Professor Emeritus - Rutgers  University
> 
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