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Volunteer in Siberia this summer!

  • 1.  Volunteer in Siberia this summer!

    Posted 05-31-2001 13:59
    From: Natasha Bodrova,
    Director of International Language School,
    Novosibirsk, Russia
    natasha@zgr.kts.ru

    Greetings from Siberia!

    I'm writing to let you know that we still have a few open teaching positions
    at the International Summer Language School, the multi-cultural educational
    program that we run annually in the city of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia.
    There are also open student positions for those who are interested in
    lerning the Russian language and culture.

    We seek participation from as wide a geographic distribution of cultures and
    nations as possible, so that representatives of a broad range of nations
    could have an opportunity to share their culture, express their opinions and
    make a lot of good friends to achieve a greater international understanding.

    At this point prospective participants from the United States, Great
    Britain, Canada, France, Finland, Italy, Holland, Germany, Austria,
    Argentina, Malaysia, Singapore have applied and confirmed their
    participation for this year summer program. We highly appreciate their good
    will and volunteer spirit and invite you to join this international team!

    There are two major areas of studies at the summer school, English and
    Russian studies. Courses in English are organized for Russian and
    international students who would like to improve their knowledge of English
    through taking daily classes being taught by native speakers of English, and
    participating in a variety of projects also supervised by native speakers.
    Within this area of studies a variety of courses are taught: Conversational
    English, English Grammar in Use, Language Games, Discussions, English
    through Drama, Idioms, Slang, Business English, etc. We also cover World
    History and Literature, Computing and Information Technologies. We carry out
    Interactive Projects using technologies of the Internet. Every teacher
    chooses a particular course to teach according to his/her educational
    background and professional interests.

    Another area of studies is related to the Russian language and culture. This
    course is provided for our international participants and volunteer
    teachers. The courses include language studies as well as Russian culture,
    history and society:

    - Intensive Russian, a course in survival Russian which provides an
    intensive introduction to Russian for study group participants who have had
    little or no Russian language study
    - Conversational proficiency (for intermediate and advanced students) with
    advanced Russian language practicums designed to increase fluency and
    sophistication in the use of Russian
    - Russian Culture and Society, introduces students to Russian life and
    culture, its history and traditions.

    TEACHERS of English and other subjects levels elementary school through
    University, SPECIALISTS in other fields (computing, business, journalism,
    music, etc.), MEDIA and TECHNOLOGY professionals, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
    worldwide are welcome to participate as VOLUNTEER TEACHERS AND PROJECT
    COORDINATORS. They also take a COURSE ON THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
    and fully participate in the activities of the cultural and social program
    of the summer school.

    COLLEGE and UNIVERSITY students, MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL students, ADULTS of
    different ages and professions WORLDWIDE are welcome to participate on a
    student status and take a COURSE ON THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE and be
    involved in projects and activities of the cultural and social program of
    the summer school.

    We hope you get encouraged to share your knowledge, experience and culture
    with collegues and students worldwide and invite you to join the program and
    get an opportunity to learn the Russian culture, and experience the
    advantages of living in a multi-cultural community, as well as improve the
    knowledge of Russian and be taught by native speakers of the langauges, who
    are certified teachers. The program focuses on the importance of complete
    linguistic and cultural immersion.

    INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS RESPONSIBILITES:
    - Roundtrip airfare to Novosibirsk.
    - Obtaining the Russian visa and visa fees.
    - Medical insurance.
    - Participation fees, which cover accommodation and board, local
    transportation, excursion and cultural program, and vary depending on the
    status of the participant.

    The DATES of the summer school sessions for the year 2001 are as follows:

    First Session: June 20th until July 4th, Second Session: July 5th until July
    19th, Third Session: July 20th until August 3rd, Fourth Session: August 4th
    until August 18th, Fifth Session: August 19th until September 2nd.
    There is no limit of number of sessions attended. Of course participating in
    two and more sessions rather than just one, a person gets more opportunities
    to experience the culture, learn the language, meet and interact with more
    people, enjoy a larger excursion, cultural and socializing program.

    The summer school 2001 is themed "Millennium Summer", so each day will be
    devoted to a certain topic within this general theme.

    We believe it is essential for young people to develop a deeper awareness of
    their role as citizens of the world through direct experience in other
    cultures and languages, and acquire global skills, knowledge and attitudes,
    needed to live effectively in the world characterized by ethnic diversity,
    cultural pluralism and interdependence.

    Siberia has just been opening up to the West and can offer lots of
    unexplored opportunities which you are welcome to experience. I will very
    much appreciate it if you could also forward the information on the
    International Summer Language school in Siberia to your collegues, the
    faculty, and the students, who might be interested.

    Thank you in advance. Please feel free to contact me at: natasha@zgr.kts.ru

    Regards,

    Natasha Bodrova,
    Director of International Language School,
    Novosibirsk, Russia
    natasha@zgr.kts.ru