The second month of the assignment of Natalya Kartseva, a teacher at the preparatory department of the University of Tyumen, to the Republic of South Africa is coming to an end, where she is carrying out work on the project "Information and Methodological Support for Russian Language Courses in the Countries of South Africa."

During this period, several large-scale tasks aimed at strengthening the positive image of Russia among various categories of foreign citizens were accomplished. There is a growing interest in learning Russian among residents of South Africa. Proof of this is the opening in September of an additional Russian language study group for those who did not manage to register in August.

"I attribute the high demand for our course to the positive feedback from those students who already took the course last year, as well as from those lucky ones who took part in the School of Russian Language and Culture this July at RUDN University and the University of Tyumen," comments Natalya Dzida, the project director and head of the preparatory department for foreign citizens at the University of Tyumen. "The focus on communication, the in-person format, game-based methods, and the teacher's personal involvement are the key to awakening genuine interest in a foreign language and culture. An additional incentive is the use of extralinguistic information to expand foreign students' knowledge about Russian science, new technologies, and modern scientific achievements. Thus, in August South African students took part in an information session on the International Financial Security Olympiad, and in September they wrote the Atomic Dictation 2026." The project's tasks also include attracting potential students from the countries of South Africa. An excellent opportunity was a visit to seven general education schools in Limpopo Province, during which schoolchildren became acquainted with interesting facts about Russia. The information about the country was accompanied by Russian language practice: schoolchildren repeated and used new words and simple phrases about Russia, and practice of simple Russian dialogues was also conducted. A separate part of the event was dedicated to the city of Tyumen and the University of Tyumen. In this way, 648 senior schoolchildren received the opportunity for personal contact with a teacher from Russia, which undoubtedly had a positive effect in shaping a positive image of the modern Russian person.

For the children of compatriots, the Weekend School continues its work on the premises of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. In a playful form, the children study Russian phonetics and calligraphy and become acquainted with Russian fairy tales and cartoons.