Faculty of Foreign Languages and Regional Studies, Moscow State University. About company Foreign language courses at Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov "Start2study" MSU language courses
In 2018 free classes in five languages will be held at the American Center, Francotek and other venues in Moscow. Master classes and games in foreign languages for beginners and advanced students are organized by the Star Talk school. It will be possible to pull up English, French, Italian, German or Spanish in the company of a professional teacher - a native speaker. Participation is free by registration on the school website.
st. Nikoloyamskaya, 1, VGBIL building, 4th floor
st. Krymsky Val, 9
If you already know the basics of English language, they will help you gain the practice of speaking and introduce you to the nuances of literary styles at free meetings of cultural and language clubs. At the Debate Club, participants discuss social issues, learn how to effectively speak to the public and formulate their thoughts in English. At the meetings of the Slow Reading Club you will get acquainted with the intricacies literary language on examples of the works of famous English-speaking writers and poets. Classes are held weekly. To participate, you must select the event you are interested in in the schedule of events and register.
Novinsky Blvd., 21
Moscow's largest free social club foreign languages invites everyone to meet. You can discuss any topic that interests you - books, movies, music, travel and much more. There are groups of English, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese. Meetings are held in cafes or parks in Moscow on a weekly basis, with the participation of native speakers. You can check the club's schedule
There are organizations in Moscow that provide everyone with the opportunity to learn foreign languages for free, and not only European, but also very exotic ones.
Wow Local Moscow
You can communicate with foreigners in English in the popular LocalPoint club, which is open under the WowLocal organization. This is a company whose main function is to help foreign tourists navigate the vast Moscow. Conversations in the club are conducted mainly on topics related to moving around the metropolis, sightseeing and various tourist concerns. This is a great opportunity to practice everyday colloquial speech and brush up on the terms that are relevant on tours. Classes are twice a month, the schedule can be found online.
Moscow, st. Myasnitskaya, 22, building 1, entrance from Bankovsky Lane
Classes in the English language club of the popular educational network Oxbridge are held at the Medvedkovo Book House twice a month and at the Biblio-Globus store on the first Fridays of the month (beginning at 17.00). The club's teachers are leading Russian methodologists in foreign linguistics; not only adults, but also children can study here. The form of classes is lectures, learning to read and perceive information in English by ear. Anyone can get a club membership certificate. You can attend classes without an appointment.
Moscow, Zarevy Ave., 12; st. Myasnitskaya, 6/3, building 1
You can learn the Gaelic language, get acquainted with the culture and folk tales of the Gaelic peoples, listen to old Irish ballads at special course Moscow State University (Department of Foreign Languages). Lectures are given by representatives of the Gaelic Scientific Society, Irish and Scottish linguists, Celtic musical creativity is illustrated by the performances of folk groups. Classes are held four times a month and are open to guests of all ages.
MSU courses are free only for students who are already studying at any other universities for budgetary basis, all others will be charged. Evening classes, the full cycle of training takes 3 years. For the best students, a language internship in China is provided. In order to be accepted to the courses, you need to successfully pass an interview (held in September). Those who have already learned Chinese before may be allowed to enter in the winter, for the second half of the first year.
Moscow, Leninsky Ave., 6
The college provides a quality liberal arts education in law, literature, philosophy, history, etc. It has the status of a state institution that issues master's degree diplomas (1st stage), they study here for 2 years. The college has departments with Russian and French as the language of instruction, but only 60 students are recruited for the first. To study here, you need to already more or less speak French, and even go through 4 rounds of the summer entrance selection. Undergraduates and university graduates study for free.
Moscow, st. Leninskie Gory, 1
The work of the cultural center "Won Gwang Sejong" is under the patronage of the Korean government. Korean language training lasts 3 years, students study twice a week. Becoming a student of the center is not easy: at the beginning of the semester, you must be among the 600 enrolled, pass a three-week educational demo and testing. Studying is free, but to get a certificate, you need to master 2 courses for levels of varying degrees of difficulty. In addition to learning Korean, students can also practice taekwondo and meditation.
Moscow, st. Ostryakova, 9-a
The chance to enroll in free Japanese language courses at the Japan Foundation is given to everyone twice a year. The training lasts 4 years, excluding the summer months. Applications are accepted from applicants over the age of 17 and under 40, then candidates are expected to take tests that determine their general level of linguistic proficiency. Those who have previously studied Japanese can be admitted to the training center based on test results and enrolled in senior courses in active groups.
Moscow, st. Nikoloyamskaya, 1, VGBIL, 4th floor
The main contingent that is accepted for the courses of the Russian-German House consists of Russian ethnic Germans. During the courses, they will have the opportunity not only to learn the language of their ancestors, but also to learn the history of the life of the Germans in Russian territory. Those who do not have German roots, but want to study for free German, are also accepted for courses, but in an amount not exceeding 10% of the total number of students. Applications are accepted in the summer on the organization's website.
Moscow, st. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 5
Language courses at the Library. Turgenev are intended for those who already know German or French at the level of a school graduate. In the classroom, knowledge is improved, conversational skills are acquired. The program of the courses includes not only direct teaching of languages, but also an increase in the general cultural level. The literary base of the curriculum is the classic works of the best writers of Germany and France. Registration for testing applicants takes place in August and early September.
Moscow, per. Bobrov, d. 6, building 1, 2
The center of Indian culture not only teaches the Hindi language, but also conducts yoga classes and teaches how to play Indian musical instruments. Hindi courses accept students from 18 to 60 years old. In online mode, information about the work of the courses is not distributed, in order to find out the schedule and sign up for classes, you need to come to the center in person. The organization has a system of membership cards - a kind of subscriptions worth 500 rubles a month. For card holders, any classes in the center are free.
Moscow, st. Vorontsovo field, 9, building 2
I have had a difficult relationship with English throughout my life.
1. THE NEED TO LEARN A LANGUAGE (Background)
AT primary school we were taught German from the 3rd grade, Basically, it didn't work out well for me. I wanted to continue teaching him, but I had to move and change schools. At the new school, to the question: "Do you have a German language group?" the headmistress twirled her finger to her temple. So, from the sixth grade, I abruptly began to learn to at least read in English, while my classmates could already speak something.
Additionally, my mother sent me to a tutor to catch up with my classmates. We galloped across Europe to catch up on material so that in the first quarter I could get at least a three. But the teacher got into position and at least for diligence and zeal in the second quarter gave me 4.
On this, in fact, my zeal disappeared, the language being studied was difficult for me, because I wanted to continue learning German, and society and my mother imposed English on me. Actually, I somehow managed to hold out until the end of the 8th grade on the knowledge of Present Simple and memorized irregular verbs. I just memorized all the topics by heart and handed over all the assignments in this way, getting my fours and moving on to the next class.
From 9th to 11th grade, I copied everything from my classmate, and I was completely sure that I didn’t need English. In general, I was going to enter the biological, and then introductory biology. So with grief in half, I graduated from high school.
But the schedule of the first course did not make me very happy! English 3 times a week. But I decided to do everything according to the old scheme: do all my homework with the help of a translator and the Internet, learn topics and words by heart, get an automatic machine.
2. INDEPENDENT ATTEMPT TO Catch Up
In my third year, it got to me. There was a strong desire to finally learn the language, and besides, she began to travel abroad, where English (although not everywhere) is very necessary. I myself began to look for resources for development. Thus, I came across LinguaLeo site, which helped me a lot at the time. Also found Livemocha website , where she began to look for international friends with whom she could communicate in English.
I learned a lot of new words, tried to learn and understand the rules, watched and listened to recordings in the language I was learning. For half a year of daily classes, I have advanced quite far. There was a lot of progress - I myself managed to achieve more than I once did with tutors. Apparently, if a person wants something, then he will achieve the goal.
By the end of the third year, I passed the exam and English ended. New items appeared, which took a lot of time. There was no time for English. Over time, I began to forget what I had already mastered on my own, not to mention the fact that I would allocate time for new activities.
After graduating from high school, I realized that I needed to return to the language again. But now I need a different approach. It was not possible to teach him on his own, as before at home, as household chores are distracting. And when I study on my own, I don’t understand a lot, I need someone to explain some rules, chew them, give examples. To have the experience of communication and, most importantly, it was necessary to overcome the language barrier.
So I decided to take an English course.
3. SELECTION OF SCHOOL / COURSES
Of course, the first institution that I paid attention to is the one that is replete with advertisements throughout the city - English First. The financial issue worried me no less, but there was no information about prices anywhere. There was only one source of information - a friend of my friend who studied there.
A girl from a wealthy family, she studied there for 3 years, and now she works as an English teacher at a private school. I found out the information that she personally paid 24 thousand a month, the intensity of her studies was never found out. Of course, I really wanted to go to EF, but the prices confused me, so I decided to look for courses at universities in Moscow.
I paid attention to 3 institutions: English language courses at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, English language courses at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, and training at RUDN University.
RUDN University dismissed it right away, since these were not courses, but additional education, classes were only on Saturdays. It was necessary to pass a test for the level of English, and then they would determine how many years you have to study. Minimum 2 years (if knowledge is good) maximum 4 (if none at all). With my knowledge, I understood that I was dooming myself to additional education at the age of 4. As a result, I chose from Moscow State University and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Decided to start signing up for a free trial. The first test was at Moscow State University. After testing, I already decided to stay at Moscow State University and signed an agreement.
4. TRAINING IN START2STUDY
4.1 Testing for the level of knowledge
Here, like most schools, testing is free. They put you in private room alone with themselves, give the test. I think it's time for the test.
- 3 blocks of questions, but there are not many of them, 5-6 in each block. The tasks are different - insert the missing word, choose the right time, answer questions on a small text. You can use everything, you are alone in the room, but it is in your interests to test your knowledge, and not the ability to find information. After the test, the teacher quickly checks the answers.
- The second part of the trials is coming, which for me is the worst thing - a conversation. I had to tell about myself, answer questions. And my stupor began. It seems that the questions are elementary, but I seem to have swallowed my tongue, I can’t say anything. Somehow I gathered all the words I knew into a bunch, and blurted out a couple of sentences.
The teacher assigned me to the Elementary level. Actually, she did not insist, and did not persuade, she only voiced my level. If I wanted to, I would go to the next level, the teacher did not mind, she only warned that it would be difficult and recommended starting from the level below. Yes, I'm upset about this low level, but I came to fill the gap, and not get crusts as soon as possible, so I decided to start with Elementary.
4.2 Class schedule
The school tries to please everyone, because most of the course attendees are working people. Times vary, classes are 2 times a week. For my level, they offered several options:
- Daytime - 12 noon
- Evening - 18:20, 19:30
Days of the week can also be selected differently. I chose 18:20, because I worked until 17:30.
When I switched to Pre-intermediate, the choice of time for classes was already more extensive, but I decided to do it during the day. For levels higher, it is also possible to choose classes only on Saturdays (two in a row at once).
There is also an intensive course. If you want to complete half of the course in 1-1.5 months. The second part of Elementary decided to go fast so that in the spring to start a new level. On the accelerated course, there is no opportunity to choose the time, classes were strictly from 19:00, 3 times a week. The session lasted 2.5 hours.
4.3 Training materials
Study materials are already included in the price of the course. They consist of a textbook, a workbook and a CD with audio and video exercises.
The program we studied was developed by the University of Cambridge and is called Face2face. The tutorial is as simple and clear as possible.
One lesson was completed in one session. If you missed a lesson, you can easily figure it out and go through it at home on your own.
The only drawback is that when you go on your own, you miss the opportunity to talk with someone, so it’s better not to miss classes. What is knowledge worth if there is no way to apply it, conversational experience is part of learning.
The tasks included in the textbook are different. Grammar, Vocabulary, Listening and Speaking are required. Each lesson involves communication. There were 10 people in our group, and each time we had to discuss a topic with each other. The teachers tried to constantly change places for us, so that we would not get used to one interlocutor, but would try to find mutual language and with other students.
The workbook was almost never needed in class. We worked exclusively with her at home. It is built on the principle of a textbook, so each lesson corresponds. Grammar was worked through again in the notebook.
The disk is needed for additional study of listeningning at home. The disc contains a program that you want to install on your computer. This application has videos, audio recordings, texts, and tasks on these materials in the form of a test.
In addition to the basic textbooks and materials, the teachers each lesson gave additional printed assignments and tests that we completed during the lesson and discussed each assignment. Something was given to the house.
4.4 teachers
I had 4 Russian speaking teachers and 2 foreigners. I want to say that all Russian-speaking teachers are great professionals. They explain the material in an accessible way, even very accessible. It is a pity that you can not write names here, I would really like to recommend some teachers.
They could explain the complex plain language. All my life I could not understand the times, and finally here it dawned on me when to use which time.
I took 2 courses (Elementary and Pre-Intermediate) - so I managed to get to know several teachers. At the Elementary level, 3 classes with foreign teachers are expected. In the first part of the course, we had a trial lesson with an American. The lesson flew by unnoticed, although the first part of the lesson was difficult to loosen up and start talking to him. All the same, with each other it is easier than with a real carrier.
In the second part of the course we already had an Englishman. And here I realized that pure British is very hard to hear, it was really difficult. It was much easier to communicate with an American.
On the Pre-Intermediate level we already had half of the classes taught by a Briton. Of the two classes a week, one was with a Russian teacher who taught us grammar, and the second day we studied purely with a native speaker who, by the way, does not know Russian. At first it was unrealistically difficult, but by the middle of the course we had already learned to understand each other. And most importantly, I overcame embarrassment. We didn’t always speak correctly, but it’s not scary, because the teacher understood us, and correcting us turned out to be not at all scary and not embarrassing, because we are just learning)) So I overcame my language barrier.
A little more about classes with a carrier ...
Our classes always began with a conversation about the weekend, mood, business, health. The teacher talked about his hobbies, what he does in Russia, what difficulties he has in this country. And only then did we move on to the lesson. We studied according to the same book, we also went through some grammar rules, but we were not always able to understand his explanations. Therefore, he had to explain more simply, sometimes with diagrams and sketches on the board. In principle, it is intelligible, only once we asked a Russian teacher to explain the topic that we went through with a native speaker.
There were also thematic conversations, divided into teams, there were games, sometimes the conversations deviated from the topic and we just talked about something abstract and personal. It is insanely interesting to find out what foreigners think about Russia and our culture)) These classes began to fly by in a matter of moments.
4.5 Issue price
When I first applied, I signed a contract for 3 months, 2 lessons per week (half of the Elementary course) for 24,400 rubles.
I didn't think it was a lot academic hour with a tutor costs 1500-2000 rubles. Yes, with a tutor you study one on one, but I already had a similar experience, and I learned little - it's too boring.
The second part of Elementary decided to take intensive (1 month) - 3 times a week for 2 hours. This course cost me 20,060 rubles. The discount was made for the fact that I am a continuing student + paid the full amount in advance. There is a possibility and installments (no commission).
For those who are interested in the terms of the contract, I will leave some excerpts in the quote:
Well, I decided to go to Pre-intermediate in the daytime, due to which I received an additional discount, in total this part cost me 15,300 rubles.
By the way, if you come to a lower level and realize that it is too easy for you to study, you can go to any group of the next course.
I was offered to go to the second part of this level in the summer, but in the summer I had other plans, including a long trip out of the city. Therefore, in order not to forget the past, as well as to go further, I studied independently according to these educational materials.
4.6 Progress
Upon returning from vacation, I was waiting for the entrance exams to graduate school, where one of the three main exams was English.
I managed to pass the exam for 4, which makes me extremely happy. Especially the fact that I had an interview in my specialty in English, the questions of the teachers no longer put me in a stupor.
- Now I can easily communicate using elementary phrases. I learned how to explain complex things in simple words and sentences (since my level is not up to building complex structures verbally on the go, I will work on this further).
- But, most importantly, I am no longer afraid to speak and do not think about every word, trying to remember whether I use it correctly. it already underway from inside))
- I have ceased to be afraid of questions from foreigners, now, on the contrary, I crave communication with them, as it happens in life to meet them on special sites.
Of course, now for many my level will seem ridiculous and low, but for me this is an achievement, for the first time in many years I am sure that I can find a language with a foreigner and will not be silent if they speak English to me.
I really wanted to continue the course in the fall, but since I am now a graduate student, and the program includes English, for now I will try to get by with the classes according to the program. And from spring I will continue to study at star2study again. Now I have a B1 level, but I want to increase my level to at least Upper, ideally, of course, Advanced.