Brought to you by the South Ural State University
High-level language training is still one of the most important advantages in the curriculum vitae of a young graduate and also the strongest competitive advantage in the international labor market. Graduates from the South Ural State University hold key positions in the world's leading transnational corporations.
Over four years, aside from the general educational program, students study the English language no less than 5 hours a week. According to the results shown so far, they are passing the international IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination.
The IELTS tests academic skills of a graduate in listening, writing, speaking and reading. The examination is given by independent international testers who are native speakers; the applicant receives an international certificate upon successful completion of the test.
"Our university started providing this opportunity so that a graduate who has an IELTS certificate could continue studying to obtain a master's degree in Russia or abroad, could contribute to science. The certificate will help him/her to realize himself/herself in international contacts: freely participate in international conferences, prepare his/her own research publications and be a specialist who is in demand on the world's labor market where it is difficult to compete without knowing the international language of communication," notes Deputy Director of SUSU's Institute of Linguistics and International Communication Elena Yaroslavova.
"The implementation of ‘mixed' training allows us to maximally increase students' time for independent work and increases classroom efficiency. Students spend 50% of time studying in lecture rooms, and another 50% — studying in online mode. New online technologies allow a lecturer to maximally use their time for live communication with students during classes and to transfer training and practicing certain language skills to online mode with the use of training aids. For that, we have developed 4 levels of online training aids from A1 to C1 which will be tested out during the 2017 academic year," says Elena Yaroslavova.
The mixed approach to language training was implemented in 2017 for master's degree students and postgraduates as well. Specialized textbook materials for master's degree students and postgraduates along with multi-level online training aids are used in the educational process. This is available via the Moodle online platform. "Language reform" has not only touched students but also the SUSU teaching staff, the majority of whom passed advanced vocational training** and proved their level which corresponds to international teaching standards. Each year, more and more SUSU students, among whom there are many foreign citizens, choose professions connected with language study.
The master's degree program in the Russian language "Russian as a Foreign Language" is very popular among Chinese students. No less popular is the "Foreign regional Studies" major, under which there is a student exchange between partner universities in Russia and China: for a year students from Russia live and study in China, get acquainted with traditions, learn the language and customs of this country, and vice versa.
SUSU Institute of Linguistics and International Communications implements programs of advanced language training in 12 bachelor's and master's degree majors (including the double-degree program with US universities), and also for postgraduate studies and specialist's studies. Both Russian and international students can receive a qualitative language education.
