Learning Russian broadens the mind
Hands-on conversation clearly appears to be the best method for learning language as exhibited in the Russian Language class. Students have learned a remarkable amount of Russian in just a few days. At the beginning of week two, students were speaking in conversations with each other with both formal and informal greetings and then sharing everyday words they learned the previous week.
After a few mini conversations about themselves, campers would regroup at the table and be refreshed on a new topic of discussion. They brushed up on the Russian names for family members and types of jobs, and Ekaterina Myakshina–teacher of the class–would have the students stand up and talk to a fellow classmate about their families and what jobs they do. They had graphics posted to the walls illustrating their families which also served as reminders for their dialogues.
The beauty of learning a language like Russian is you are also learning about its people, culture, and landscape. Myakshina is taking campers on a journey across Russia as they visit a different city or community on the large map shown each day in class. Today they took a sneak peek of Krasnoyarsk, which is in Siberia, situated along the Yenisei or Yenisey River.
As promised at the beginning of class, they were introduced to a Russian dance that students were very quick to learn. The class laughed as they attempted the moves of the dancer on the screen.
Students listened and learned the words for various forms of music including rock, jazz, and pop. It was a good reminder that exploring other cultures not only broadens our minds, but shows that even though we may be on the other side of the planet, we are not always so different from each other.