Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language Concludes at BelSU

Known as the Time to Speak Russian Olympiad, this prestigious event holds federal status and is conducted with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo. It is a traditional annual event organized by the preparatory department of Belgorod National Research University (BelSU), in collaboration with faculty from the Department of Russian Language, Professional Speech, and Intercultural Communication within the Institute of Intercultural Communication and International Relations.

This year, more than 100 international students from preparatory faculties and departments, including first and second-year students, bachelor’s degree graduates, and high school students from various countries participated. The participants hailed from 23 countries and represented 15 universities.

The Olympiad was conducted remotely in three stages. Initially, participants underwent a qualifying round, followed by a main written test, and concluded with a final oral speaking stage.

BelSU Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Vladislav Kuchmisty, expressed his gratitude to the organizers for upholding this cherished tradition.

“The wide geography of participants underscores the growing interest in the Olympiad while fostering cultural and academic exchange and strengthening international ties with the university,” he noted.

Lyudmila Svoykina, head of the Department of Russian Language, Professional Speech, and Intercultural Communication, remarked on the increasing proficiency levels among students each year.

“This year, participants showcased a high level of Russian language skills, with many delivering interesting and original performances across various nominations,” she said.