Teaching English to Russian Students

  

 

 

 

 

Russian Adult Learners

Russian adults have a number of reasons for signing up for English language lessons.  Probably the most common reason is for work.  A number of my students work for companies which have international ties, especially with neighbouring Finland.  Others are motivated by a desire to improve their English for travel.  A majority of students say that they travel abroad at least once a year, particularly to popular destinations frequented by Peterburgers, such as Finland, Sweden, Spain, Italy and Turkey, as well as Vietnam and Thailand in the far east.  Some of the younger adults, as well as citing the above, also state that English is needed for their university course or it is essential in their chosen profession.  And it is pleasing to hear that most say they actually like English as a language.

So, what are Russian adults like to teach?  In the 8 months I have been teaching in Saint Petersburg, I can say they have been an absolute pleasure to teach.  Maybe it is partly because they pay a lot of money for these courses (and the previously-mentioned motivational factors), but also because the people I have met so far have been genuinely pleasant.  The only problems I have encountered thus far is getting all of my students to do their homework on time.  One of the reasons for this problem is not due to lack of motivation, but because of a busy work schedule and/or family commitments.  And I also have to take into account, when teaching my evening classes, that they have already spent a full day at work, or university and their concentration can lapse at times. 

 What do Russian adults find difficult?  Anyone who has taught, or is teaching Russian students will find common problems with grammar and pronunciation.  Certain sounds are difficult to reproduce, such as 'th' (/ð/and /θ/)which can lead to ze /zə/ for the.  Another problem is connected with producing (British) English vowel sounds.  There is one vowel sound in particular that poses some difficulty: /I:/instead of the correct /I/ in words such as ship, list and city.  Therefore, it is not uncommon to hear sheep, instead of ship, least instead of list and so on.

When it comes to grammar, adult learners tend to miss out the indefinite and definite articles in sentences.  The and a/an do not have equivalents in the Russian language.  Using these articles is an alien concept.  Just as one student put it: "Why do you have to use the and a?"  I explained, but he was still baffled.  It really is that alien to native speakers of Slavonic languages! Expect to remind your learners the rules surrounding their usage several more times.

Problems that Russian learners have when learning English is quite a large topic.  I have only highlighted a few of the ones I have noticed thus far in my stay in Russia.  Here's a link for more information on the subject: 

 

 http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/langdiff/russian.htm

 

http://www.tedpower.co.uk/l1russian.html

 

Teaching Russian children and teenagers

It's good to learn new things


 



Children and teenagers tend not to spend their own money on lessons.  They are usually in your class because their parents want them there - to improve their English and boost their results at school.  And it's a good way to keep them occupied with something positive, and out of trouble.  It may also provide mum and dad with some extra peace and quiet.  Some teenagers may come across as awkward and unmotivated, but I think it is always important to do two things:  set the boundaries as soon as you meet them; be firm but fair, and give plenty of praise for their efforts in the classroom . Also, one must remember - they are children/teenagers.  'Nuff said, innit....

I have been very fortunate with the children I have taught.  Although they have ranged from the hyperactive and slightly annoying to the mature and extremely polite, none have been a real problem.  In fact, they have been a delight to teach.  How different they are from some of the children I taught in secondary schools when I was a history teacher in the UK!