Russian

THE RUSSIAN CLASSROOM AT UW-MADISON

The Russian-language curriculum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a four-year, four-skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing), learner-centered communicative language program that teaches students contemporary standard Russian with an emphasis on the current norms of language use in Russia. As a consequence, students improve their understanding of the structure of English and other languages. At every level of instruction, students are expected to work towards greater understanding not only of Russian culture in particular, but also, more generally, of the multiplicity of world cultures. Our focus on culture includes not only literary culture and other aspects of “Olympian” culture (e.g., opera, ballet, film, painting), but also “hearthstone” culture (e.g., Russian phone and Internet etiquette, how Russians take off their shoes and put on slippers, and so forth). UW-Madison Russian-language instructors work to prepare our students to communicate with Russians in Russia and with Russians here in Wisconsin. We also work to prepare students to use Russian sources and Russian perspectives to understand texts and ideas relevant to disciplines other than language and literature, and our courses complement with many others on campus in history, political science, sociology, international studies, and others.

At the end of the second year of instruction, most students in the UW-Madison Russian-language program achieve intermediate level-proficiency in listening, reading, speaking and writing according to the Proficiency Guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). In their third or fourth year, we strongly encourage students to study in Russia on our study abroad program under the auspices of the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), where many students can achieve advanced proficiency. Some students also choose to study in a Russian-language summer immersion programs here in the United States or in Russia, although this is not a requirement.

Many students who complete four years of Russian-language instruction at UW-Madison and who participate in our study abroad program in Russia for at least a semester get jobs requiring Russian- language expertise here in the US, both in the private and government sectors, as well as in various contexts in Russia. Many students who complete the Russian program at UW-Madison go on to graduate studies in language and literature, history, political science, law, business, and other disciplines. To hear from alumni who had the opportunity to study the Russian language at UW-Madison, head to the profiles of Kassandra, Hannah, Jonathon or, Brett.

We are pleased to provide learning accommodations for students with disabilities who have been working with staff at the McBurney Disability Resource Center .

STUDY ABROAD

Studying abroad is not only a great way to solidify your knowledge of the Russian language, but also a chance to experience the culture first hand. To hear more about this opportunity from students who have pursued it themselves, click on the profiles below.