Tomsk State University and Shenyang Polytechnic University resumed language summer schools, which were temporarily stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. In July, more than 50 Russian students went to study Chinese at Shenyang Polytechnic University, a partner of the Confucius Institute of TSU. The training will mostly be devoted to Chinese culture.
– Students who will study in China are not only Tomsk residents, there are students from Moscow, Kuzbass, Altai Territory, – says Irina Shvedova, director of the Confucius Institute of TSU. – The study program is designed for four weeks. Unfortunately, for several years, such schools were not available due to the coronavirus. At the same time, we believe that such schools are one of the most effective ways to learn the language. People are immersed in the language environment, that is, they do not simply study during classes, but continue to communicate 24/7.
Students read signs, order food, ask directions, communicate with native speakers in shops, transport, cafes. This significantly speeds up the language learning. A person learns to understand different accents and slang expressions.
– Another important aspect is that students hear live speech, – says Irina Shvedova. – It, of course, differs from what they study in textbooks and hear in the classroom, since this is a refined version. When immersed in the language environment, they learn a lot more. It is also worth noting that classes are taught by professional teachers specializing in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. They combine grammar, speaking, writing, which motivates students for further study.
The program also includes excursions, master classes, tours to Liaoning Province and acquantance with its traditions. All this will contribute to understanding the context of the language.
According to Irina Shvedova, 1,500 people from different cities of Russia and different countries of the world will study at the summer school. Such joint learning in Chinese allows making friends and then, maintaining the knowledge of the language at a decent level after returning home. Such trips help to learn new culture, immerse in it and motivate to study and develop.
It should be added that in 2025, the Confucius Institute launched three new programs. One of them is “Business with China: Strategies, Tools, Opportunities”. Teachers from various Russian and Chinese organizations talk about the state structure of China and interaction with government agencies of the country, about business protocol, etiquette, cultural features of the country that are important for doing business, about support tools and much more.
The second program is designed for students who know Chinese. Students master the art of negotiations, taking into account the specifics of China. They learn to write letters, official requests, and so on.
The third program was launched in a test mode. It is learning Chinese online. The program complies with the request from people who want to learn Chinese, but do not have the opportunity to do at their place of residence.
It is worth noting that TSU began to cooperate with Shenyang Polytechnic University when both institutions signed a partnership agreement in 2007. In 2008, the Confucius Institute was opened on the basis of Tomsk State University, which became one of the main platforms in Siberia for cultural exchange, in-depth study of Chinese language and traditions of China. Then, TSU opened a joint Center for the Russian Language named after A.S. Pushkin in Shenyang, which revealed new opportunities for Chinese citizens to study the Russian language and culture. The center is the only one in Liaoning Province.