Language of Friendship: Russian and Foreign Youth Conduct Joint Language Courses
International Friendship Clubs have launched classes of foreign languages for Russian and foreign youth. The courses have already started in the Kaliningrad, Tyumen, Volgograd, Leningrad, Astrakhan and Ulyanovsk Regions.
Foreign club participants study the Russian language, and Russian youth learn the languages of partner countries. For example, the International Friendship Club of the Ulyanovsk Region hosts Russian language webinars for young people from Brazil. Over 70 foreigners have already joined the course. In addition, youth from Russia study Portuguese. They are taught by university tutors, members of the National Preparatory Committee of the World Youth Festival of Brazil.
Young people from the Volgograd Region strengthen cooperation with representative of Tunisia and Egypt. Participants of the region’s International Friendship Club learn multiple languages: Russian, English, Arabic, French and Turkish.
“Russian and foreign students are really interested in learning languages of other countries. For example, over 20 people attended the first Arabic class. They learned about both the alphabet and the history of the language, Arabic culture, music, dances and national costumes. All classes are held in an informal way as students are taught by their peers from abroad. Thanks to such language schools, every student gets an opportunity to become an event organizer, they understand their importance and significance in strengthening international cooperation and building a multipolar world”, said Sofia Snigir, Leader of the International Friendship Club of the Volgograd Region.
According to Mohamed Fadlallah, representative of the International Friendship Club of the Volgograd Region and WYF-2024 participant from Egypt, language learning plays a key role in strengthening international ties among young people.
“Language is not just a means of communication, but also a way of exchanging cultural values and ideas. When young people study the language of a different country, they become more open to other cultures and traditions. This contributes to the establishment of friendly relations, cooperation and mutual understanding, which is especially important against the backdrop of global challenges such as conflicts or environmental problems. Language training allows youth to participate in international projects, exchanges and internships, which further strengthens ties among countries”, noted Mohamed Fadlallah.
Students from partner countries – Democratic Republic of Congo, Switzerland, China, Iran, Turkmenistan, UAE, Qatar and Croatia – are offered Russian classes in the Tyumen, Leningrad, Astrakhan and Kaliningrad Regions.
Let us remind you thaat International Friendship Clubs are the flagship project of the World Youth Festival Directorate, which is implemented on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the post-festival legacy.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.