Welcome to the department’s web page of the Russian Language and Literature. We invite everyone – those who are interested in our work, goals, our successes, and achievements.
It is a miracle that in the United States of America, in the capital of the world, in this diverse metropolis we are able to hear the voice of Chekhov, Pushkin, and Dostoevsky.
Our children, who are the future of this country, study the Russian language, read the works of the great Russian writers and poets, as well as absorb the cultural and historical values. Someone great had once said, “The more languages you speak, the more of a person you are.”
Our children have a wonderful opportunity not only to know one more language, but to preserve the connection with previous generations. To help them in this endeavor, we have teachers who are experienced, well-qualified, and enthusiastic about teaching this subject. Our staff is using the best Russian and American pedagogical approaches and methodologies.
Even though students do not acquire a class as an introduction to the Russian language in kindergarten, they do engage in activities that establish some knowledge of the Russian language. They begin to familiarize themselves more with the Russian language as they progress on their school journey.
The course of acquiring the Russian language, titled RLD (Russian Language Development), begins in first grade. Little kids listen to tales and memorize poems written by Marshak, Barto, and Mihalkov. The program’s curriculum is based on the oral skills of the Russian language and literature.
During the first and second grade, students learn the alphabet, reading rules, and acquire the skills to work with simple passages. In addition, students learn how to answer questions and how to analyze the text. Technology, various types of illustrations, and the viewing of films are widely used as well.
As a result, by the time students enter third grade, they can to read, and they gladly participate in playing games that are based on the skills of the Russian language.
One of the very important learning aspects is the writing skills.
The principle on which our program is built is that our students first learn the elementary skills; and then eventually they gain and build their knowledge of the more complex.
At the end of the Russian Language and Literature course at “Bambi”, our graduates have the ability to read well, analyze the text, express their thoughts and feelings, and translate from English language to Russian language. They master the grammatical rules and punctuation.
An important key in the study of the Russian language is the work that takes place outside of the classroom: Subject Weeks,Various Contests.
But, the most essential treasure is the production of plays in which the students take active roles. These plays are based on the works of the Russian writers and poets. This is the unique collaborative work of the staff in our department.
Students have the ability to:
- write and copy texts from the blackboard and the textbook
- differentiate between the printed and cursive texts
- skim through the text to answer questions
- students are introduced to the basic parts of speech and their role in sentences
- students work on building sentences
- students develop oral and written language skills
- students are able to answer and to ask questions
- thorough knowledge of the parts of speech (singular and plural nouns, conjugation, time of action)
- comparison between the English and the Russian grammar; the study of morphology and such patterns as the morphemes
- development of oral and written communication skills
- interdisciplinary studies (Social Studies and Science)
Grammar:
- detailed knowledge of the parts of speech and sentences
- introduction to the various types of sentences
- development of oral skills with topics such as school, family, animals
- translation from English to Russian
Literature:
- reading with expression and emotion
- reading comprehension skills
- retelling of the text in connection to the plan
- building questions based on the text
- reading with assigned roles
Grammar:
- detailed study of the syntax and the semantics
- punctuation in simple and complex sentences
- discussion topics include media, press and television, information about culture, science, and travel
Literature:
- discussion of texts read by students independently
- analysis of characters’ behavior and their actions
- connection between literature and life
