Thread: Ideas for university Russian club events

Hey MR, I've known about this forum for over a year, but I've always been more of a lurker than a poster. Though, I hope to have more time in the future to post regularly here, as I really want to improve my Russian! I'd have written this in Russian, but it's a bit of a long post and I wanted it out there quickly, so I wrote it in English. But if you want to reply in Russian, go ahead, and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

Anyway, as for my topic - at my university, we have two Russian clubs - a large club that is mostly for native/advanced speakers of Russian, mostly consisting of people who were born in Russia or former Soviet republics such as Uzbekistan. We also have a smaller Russian club that is dedicated to learners of the language of all levels. I'm in the intermediate (3rd-year) Russian class, so I am by no means fluent and can't really pass as native, but I'd say that I have decent proficiency in Russian (though I am nowhere near perfect, as you will see when I start making Russian posts on this forum) Anyway, since the president of the smaller Russian club is going to be graduating this semester, I was selected to be the new president.

I'm excited, but at the same time, I have never run a club like this before, and I'd be interested in what new things I should suggest. The things we did in the past this year was a game of Russian Jeopardy (like regular Jeopardy, except all categories, questions, and answers were in Russian), a presentation on the evolution of Russian rock (from Soviet times to the present day), and a Russian breakfast day that was also held by the larger Russian club (our small club does advertising for the larger club as well).

Some of the things I'll be doing will be buying snacks and drinks for events (unfortunately, because we're in America, and we have people under 21, including myself, vodka or anything like that will be out of the question). I'll also probably be making flyers/announcements for future events. However as the new president, I'd like to make the club a more active club (the president who's graduating this semester said that they didn't really do all that much), especially since the larger Russian club is under the threat of going under due to debt.

I think it would be cool to do more presentations - I could definitely put stuff together on Powerpoint (that is how the Russian Jeopardy was done). I also have a small collection of Russian movies that would be cool to show (including Nochnoy Dozor). I'm living in Washington DC, so naturally there will be stuff going on off campus that would be cool to coordinate, plus the larger Russian club will have stuff going on. I just want to be able to bring new life to this Russian club as the new president, and not let things get boring or inactive. Do you all have any advice, or similar experiences?

Originally Posted by Uvula

Some of the things I'll be doing will be buying snacks and drinks for events (unfortunately, because we're in America, and we have people under 21, including myself, vodka or anything like that will be out of the question). I'll also probably be making flyers/announcements for future events. However as the new president, I'd like to make the club a more active club (the president who's graduating this semester said that they didn't really do all that much), especially since the larger Russian club is under the threat of going under due to debt.

Do you all have any advice, or similar experiences?

ahah.. i must say, the first thing i thought of when i compared the two groups was "america" and the "ussr"... you have the big group with the 'real' russians, where they are drinking vodka and having a good time, but going into debt, and the no fun smaller american group...

but i think i would not want to take this position... you have to buy all the snacks! what a ripp-off man!

but hey! why dont you combine the groups? If the bigger group is going under due to debt, and everyone knows the best way to learn is talking to real russians, having both groups together would benifit everybody!!!!!

break down that wall stalin!

but i think i would not want to take this position... you have to buy all the snacks! what a ripp-off man!

I am probably going to be reimbursed, so I doubt this will be a major issue. Anyway, I'll be able to consume some of the snacks as well.

but hey! why dont you combine the groups? If the bigger group is going under due to debt, and everyone knows the best way to learn is talking to real russians, having both groups together would benifit everybody!!!!!

The groups already do things together, but we want there to be some separation - a group for those who speak Russian as their native language and have no trouble communicating 100% only in Russian, and a group for those who are still learning the language (there are some who only know pretty basic things).

The native Russian group likes to do a lot of things on their own where it would not be convenient for a new Russian student to constantly be asking "what did they just say" or "can you translate this". Whereas, this is more acceptable in a group where people are still learning, at different levels. Also, the Russian instructors participate in the events in the small, non-native Russian group - so any events that we plan, they attend for the most part. With the native Russian group, this is not the case.

Basically, the smaller group is there to help familiarize students with the Russian language and culture, while the larger group is for those who have lived in/are familiar with such culture and are looking for more in DC. For example, I attended a concert of Okean Elzy (a well-known Ukrainian rock group) with the native Russian group. I enjoyed it, since I understand Russian well and know enough about the differences and similarities between Russian and Ukrainian to be able to enjoy it. But a first-year student would have been pretty lost, and I don't think some of the teachers would have wanted to come.

Originally Posted by Uvula

but i think i would not want to take this position... you have to buy all the snacks! what a ripp-off man!

I am probably going to be reimbursed, so I doubt this will be a major issue. Anyway, I'll be able to consume some of the snacks as well.

[quote:1h87ze9o]but hey! why dont you combine the groups? If the bigger group is going under due to debt, and everyone knows the best way to learn is talking to real russians, having both groups together would benifit everybody!!!!!

The groups already do things together, but we want there to be some separation - a group for those who speak Russian as their native language and have no trouble communicating 100% only in Russian, and a group for those who are still learning the language (there are some who only know pretty basic things).

The native Russian group likes to do a lot of things on their own where it would not be convenient for a new Russian student to constantly be asking "what did they just say" or "can you translate this". Whereas, this is more acceptable in a group where people are still learning, at different levels. Also, the Russian instructors participate in the events in the small, non-native Russian group - so any events that we plan, they attend for the most part. With the native Russian group, this is not the case.

Basically, the smaller group is there to help familiarize students with the Russian language and culture, while the larger group is for those who have lived in/are familiar with such culture and are looking for more in DC. For example, I attended a concert of Okean Elzy (a well-known Ukrainian rock group) with the native Russian group. I enjoyed it, since I understand Russian well and know enough about the differences and similarities between Russian and Ukrainian to be able to enjoy it. But a first-year student would have been pretty lost, and I don't think some of the teachers would have wanted to come.[/quote:1h87ze9o]

How old are these people? Every person i have ever met is MORE than happy to teach a language. Or at least understanding of people's mistakes and willingness to help. I cannot see any Russian getting mad at these students for wanting to learn. As long as the students are not overly annoying asking about every word, it should be fine. Just make sure they know to not be annoying at all... But seriously, i dont care at all when someone comes up to me and says "how do i say this in italian", or "how do i translate this paragraph to spanish?"... i am glad to help! But maybe, just maybe it would be too much if they ask me to teach them! (but i probably would, because i am nice like that... )

and have you ever ASKED them if they would like to combine them? or are you just assuming

Если большая часть группы ничего не понимает, возможно, русские считают себя вынужденными перейти на английский, чтобы они поняли. Они скорее всего просто хотят встречаться с своими соотечественниками, чтобы общаться на русском как в родине, и забыть о всем, что относится к английскому на короткое время.

How old are these people? Every person i have ever met is MORE than happy to teach a language. Or at least understanding of people's mistakes and willingness to help. I cannot see any Russian getting mad at these students for wanting to learn. As long as the students are not overly annoying asking about every word, it should be fine. Just make sure they know to not be annoying at all... But seriously, i dont care at all when someone comes up to me and says "how do i say this in italian", or "how do i translate this paragraph to spanish?"... i am glad to help! But maybe, just maybe it would be too much if they ask me to teach them! (but i probably would, because i am nice like that... )

They are the average American university age - for the most part, between 18 and 22. I'm not saying that they are unwilling to help, and whenever I have questions and such they always give good explanations. However, I understand enough to get the 'gist' of what they are saying even if I don't get every word, whereas in the non-native club, there are people still at the beginner level.

Right now, the clubs are informally working alongside each other, but the next time that we have such a meeting, I will mention the idea and ask about suggestions.

Eсли большая часть группы ничего не понимает, возможно, русские считают себя вынужденными перейти на английский, чтобы они поняли. Они скорее всего просто хотят встречаться с своими соотечественниками, чтобы общаться на русском как в родине, и забыть о всем, что относится к английскому на короткое время.

Большая русская группа состоит из нескольких русских студентов (около 12 обычных участника), но в маленькой группе только 4-5 участников. Я президент очень маленькой группы!

Конечно, у нас будут мероприятия с большой группой, но мы также хотим мероприятия только для учеников. Если мы бы пригласили родных русских к "Русскому Джэпарди", они бы доминировали весь конкурс, и мы не хотим этот результат.

Когда я слушаю о мероприятиях с большой группой, я буду приглашать участников маленькой группы к ним. Но, я ещё хочу новые идеи только для маленкой группы.

Originally Posted by Uvula

They are the average American university age - for the most part, between 18 and 22. I'm not saying that they are unwilling to help, and whenever I have questions and such they always give good explanations. However, I understand enough to get the 'gist' of what they are saying even if I don't get every word, whereas in the non-native club, there are people still at the beginner level.

Ok... i guess americans learn differently. I know in Italy, it doesnt matter what level you were. I would go to different english learning groups and people didnt care that I couldnt speak, I just sat and listened and had a dictionary! I even did the same thing here in america... i went to a russian "round table" where native speakers would talk for an hour or so, and i would just listen. I got so much out of it even though i could say 4 words at the time... My lord, i even did it in portuguese with different people at the same place here! We did it at panera (sp?) bread on thursdays. I had russian round table on tuesday, and portuguese on thursday. (Along with classes at school in english, french, and spanish every day of the week!!!!!)

Native Russian and learners groups tend not to mix at universities. Russians at Western universities tend to be Novyi Russkii types.

i went to a russian "round table" where native speakers would talk for an hour or so, and i would just listen. I got so much out of it even though i could say 4 words at the time...

I once did something like this as well when I was a beginner, although this table consisted of a few native speakers and then a smattering of learners at differnet levels.

Originally Posted by Uvula

... я ещё хочу новые идеи только для маленкой группы.

Привет, Uvula! Добро пожаловать в наш форум! Я надеюсь, что мы окажемся полезными для тебя и твоей маленькой группы.
У меня, например, давно есть идея-фикс: иностранный язык можно усваивать быстрее, веселее и приятнее, если параллельно с обычной программой учить наизусть и петь разные песенки. Может быть, ты поэкспериментируешь на своих ребятах и вы создадите хор? Поначалу я бы посоветовала петь детские песенки, они простые и легко запоминающиеся.

http://www.memuarchiki.ru/kids/music/malenkie_deti.mp3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-tPTmdnc7E

Маленькие дети

Над нами солнце светит - не жизнь, а благодать
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Мы маленькие дети, нам хочется гулять.

А нам говорят, что катет короче гипотенузы
А я говорю вам: "Хватит, устал я от этой обузы!"

Ах встать бы на рассвете , убрать бы в стол тетрадь
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Мы маленькие дети, нам хочется гулять.

А нам говорят, Афины войною пошли на Спарту
А я говорю: "Покинуть хочу поскорее парту!"

Слова упрямо эти я буду повторять:
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Тем, кто за нас в ответе давно пора понять,
Мы маленькие дети, нам хочется гулять
А нам говорят, что Волга впадает в Каспийское море,
А я говорю, что долго не выдержу этого горя.
Чтоб стать, говорят, человеком, шагать надо в ногу с веком.
А мы не хотим шагать, нам хочется гулять!
___________________________

Песня Красной Шапочки

Песенка из кинофильма "Красная Шапочка" (1977). Оригинал!
Чудная песенка и прекрасно спета тогда семилетней Олей Рожденственской. Можно услышать и ЗДРАСТЕ и здравствуйте.


Если долго, долго, долго,
Если долго по тропинке,
Если долго по дорожке
Топать, ехать и бежать -
То, пожалуй, то, конечно,
То, наверно-верно-верно,
То возможно-можно-можно
Можно в Африку прийти!

А-а, в Африке реки вот такой ширины,
А-а, в Африке горы вот такой вышины,
А-а, крокодилы - бегемоты,
А-а, обезьяны - кашалоты,
А-а - и зеленый попугай!
А-а - и зеленый попугай!

И как только - только - только,
И как только на дорожке,
И как только на тропинке
Встречу я кого-нибудь,
То тому, кого я встречу,
Даже зверю-верю-верю
Не забуду-буду-буду
Буду ЗДРАСТЕ говорить!

А-а, здравствуйте реки вот такой ширины,
А-а, здравствуйте горы вот такой вышины,
А-а, крокодилы - бегемоты,
А-а, обезьяны - кашалоты,
А-а - и зеленый попугай!
А-а - и зеленый попугай!

Но, конечно, но, конечно,
Если ты такой ленивый,
Если ты такой пугливый -
Сиди дома, не гуляй!
Ни к чему тебе дороги,
Косогоры-горы-горы,
Буераки-реки-раки -
Руки-ноги береги!

Зачем тебе море вот такой ширины,
Зачем тебе небо вот такой вышины,
А-а, крокодилы - бегемоты,
А-а, обезьяны - кашалоты,
А-а - и зеленый попугай!
А-а - и зеленый попугай!

Which University do you go to?? Sounds fun.