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WHY LEARN RUSSIANÌýÌý

International Communication: ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ is one of the six official languages of the UN and is spoken by approximately 258 million people worldwide.In addition to the ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ Federation, the largest populations of native ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ speakers are found in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are 854,955 ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ speakers in the U.S. ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ is among the 15 most spoken languages in the U.S. and is one of the most spoken Slavic languages in the country.

Cultural Immersion: By understanding the language, you gain access to the culture. A student of ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ has an extensive verbal tradition to draw from, including rich folklore, as well as great realist and modernist literature. This encompasses the works of renowned 19th-century realists like Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov, as well as the vast body of work by early 20th-century and contemporary masters. While translation is often a helpful shortcut to understanding foreign-language literature, it is never enough on its own to convey the depth, beauty, and richness of the original.

When you understand ºìÐÓÖ±²¥, you open the door to various cultural phenomena, such as music, song, and dance traditions, opera and ballet, film and theatre, the wonders of religious and modernist architecture, art, chess, cuisine, and the mentality and culture of everyday life.

Job Market: ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ is listed as a critical language by the U.S. government, with prestigious language study scholarships and government-funded job opportunities available.

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PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The visualized program structure with information about language requirements is available at:ÌýProgram Structure.pdf.

The ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ language program offers courses in two tracks: one for students who began learning ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ as a foreign language in a classroom, virtual or in person, and a heritage track for students who have been exposed to ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ at home or in the community.

The Program for Students of ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ as a Foreign Language offers two sequences of interconnected courses: introductory (0100–0400) and intermediate (1100–1200), and fourth level courses at upper-intermediate to advanced level (REES language courses with even numbers and RUSS 3670). Some students with advanced language competences may be admitted to fourth-year courses for heritage speakers by placement.

The Program for Heritage Speakers consists of the literacy sequence (introductory sequence), where students acquire writing and reading skills with no or little prior experience in reading and writing (RUSS 0201 and 0401). The literacy sequenceÌýsatisfy the Penn language requirement in only one year. Students can continue mastering ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ in RUSS 1100–1200, intermediate-level courses, or move directly to the fourth-level courses: REES language courses with odd numbers and RUSS 3670. A placement test is required to determine the individual trajectory. Some heritage speakers are admitted into the fourth-year courses of ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ as a foreign language.

Additionally, please note the following:Ìý

All students new to our program, including both new heritage speakers and students who have learned ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ before, are required to take theÌýplacement test.

All courses above RUSS 0100 have the previous number as a prerequisite. The prerequisite can be waived with a placement test.

If you have any questions, please contact Djamilia Nazyrova atÌýnazyrova@sas.upenn.edu

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PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

In the ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ program, we believe that to learn most effectively, you need to maximize your opportunities to experience how language is used in real-life contexts and to use it yourself. That’s why we create opportunities for you to speak the language and will frequently speak to you in ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ from day one.

In our classes, we learn and use language not for its own sake, but to explore and discuss its real-world contexts, cultures, and communities—helping us better understand both the world and ourselves. All our classes are highly interactive, incorporating games and playful activities, as well as ºìÐÓÖ±²¥-language songs, films, and movie clips, along with a wide range of readings from literature and contemporary media.

Our goal is to make your time studying ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ meaningful and enjoyable while equipping you with the tools for continued learning beyond our classes and Penn.

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ADVISING

For more information about ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ language program, specific courses, Penn Foreign Language requirement and placement testing, study abroad and other language immersion opportunites, contact Dr. Djamilia Nazyrova atÌý/people/mila-nazyrova.

CO-CURRICULARÌý PROGRAMMING

Students of ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ at Penn may take advantage of a wealth of co-curricular activities sponsored by the Department, the student-led ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ club, and by other units at Penn, including weekly informal conversation gatherings (ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ Tea), lectures, language competitions, film screenings, parties and more. Check our Events page for a list of specific events and dates.

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LANGUAGE IMMERSION AND STUDY ABROAD

Students at all levels of ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ are encouraged to consider language immersion programs as part of their language learning experience while at Penn. Check specific programs and requirements here.