#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Quests, quizzes, presentations and a master class in Chinese showed new horizons to the fourth graders.
The grammar school No. 4 is known for its focus on languages. Students start learning English in the second grade, and by the fifth grade, they can choose a second foreign language: Spanish, German, or French.
“Our school is recognized in the city as an educational institution with a linguistic profile. Linguistic Week has become a traditional annual event for us. This year, we’re focusing on elementary students so that fourth graders can decide on a second language to study until graduation: Spanish, German, or French. Our goal is to give children the skills to communicate with speakers of other languages”, said Elena Petrenko, the school head.
Each day of the Linguistic Week was filled with activities. For example, the fourth day was dedicated to English, Chinese, and Spanish. Students traveled through space like Harry Potter using a train while reviewing their English. They got cheered up with Spanish dance and learnt the names of body parts in Spanish. In the Chinese master class, they immersed themselves in Chinese traditions and culture and participated in a tea ceremony.
It’s worth mentioning that the engaging Chinese language session was led by the school’s graduates of 2023 and 2024 Ayuna Pavlova and Anastasia Lisih. The students decided to spend their university vacation productively and, after meeting with the teachers, created a master class for the fourth graders.
Ayuna Pavlova is currently studying at Harbin Polytechnic University in China, where she is learning Chinese in its natural environment. Anastasia Lisih is a student of Belgorod State University, the faculty of international relations, and has joined the university’s international diplomacy club.
“I graduate in three years. So far, I’m gaining knowledge every day, training my memory and my hand in writing Chinese hieroglyphs. I write each character 10-15 times daily to memorize it and improve my writing skills. In the future, I plan to travel not only in China but also to other countries”, says Ayuna Pavlova.
Anastasia Lisih will spend six years at university. After earning her master’s degree, she hopes to pursue a career as a diplomat.
“The Eastern direction, especially China, is very relevant right now. In school, I learned English, French, and German. The faculty program includes the study of three foreign languages: Chinese, English, and the third language is yet to be determined by the university administration. By the time I graduate, I will speak six languages”, Anastasia shares.
During the master class, the fourth graders learnt basics of the Chinese language. They remembered popular phrases, practiced counting to ten, and participated in a tea ceremony.
Additionally, the elementary students showcased their impressive language skills in the talk show Where’s the Logic?
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Text: Maria Sanina, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko
