21 questions with my Russian teacher

Part of my Erasmus+ experience is learning how the local community views our work here and also the concept of volunteering. I’ve always been interested to know the local oppinion on these matters so I asked our lovely Russian teacher, Marina- 22 years old, out for coffee to pester her with some questions. She was kind enough to oblige.

Alina: First of all thank you for doing this, you’re a life saver.

Marina: No problem, really.

A: So, to dive right into it, do you think exposure to a multicultural environment would encourage kids to want to travel or study foreign languages when they grow up?

M: Yes, for sure, I think it’s important to have this multicultural connection and it helps to know not only different people but different cultures. It’s important for children, it improves the interest for different countries and languages. I hope my kids will be as encouraged as I am about it.

A: Because learning languages opens up a lot of doors.

M: Yes, exactly.

A: Also, about the community here in Smolensk, because it’s been a couple of years since foreign volunteers have started coming to Vishenky Center, do you think they had an impact on the young people here and not just the people in the Center?

M: Yes, I think it’s a good opportunity for young people to know each other, to know a different point of view.

A: To make friends across the world, you know?

M: Yes, but unfortunately, in Russia, in Smolensk, being a small town, it is not so popular to study languages or to have connections with people from different countries so it is a good chance to do just that. Also, I think maybe our government needs to do more connections with universities because there are more people who want to be involved in international projects or study abroad.

A: To do more Erasmus programs, for studying?

M: Sure.

A: About volunteering, is it something popular? What’s the general oppinion on it?

M: Yes, we have local volunteering programs, to help disabled people, orphans or animals and, as I know there are opportunities for going abroad but it depends on the person, one who is interested can find them.

A: Of course, and there are a lot of opportunities for foreigners to come here, too. I have this Algerian friend with whom I worked in Turkey last summer who’s volunteering in Ekanterinburg now, it’s so cool, if there’s a will there’s a way. Furthermore regarding volunteering, do you think it is more beneficial for the community, the work that is done, or for the volunteers themselves, since personal growth is a big part of it?

M: I think it’s good for both sides, obviously volunteers help and they make our world better and more beautiful. But it is also important for the person because they not only make some friends but also get some new knowlegde and improve themselves.

A: Agreed. Now, did you or would you volunteer in a country where you didn’t speak the language?

M: Yes, I would, definitely.

A: Any idea where?

M: No, no idea, yet.

A: Romania, then. It’s a good choice, I would know.

M: Maybe, why not. I would not choose for example a country where people don’t speak English, I think, as a young woman, it would be more dangerous.

A: Yeah, being a young woman travelling alone isn’t the easiest thing. But, speaking for myself, travelling while volunteering is really cool. Ana, Denisa, Inga and I didn’t know eachother before, we met here and now we’re a gang, we stick together.

M: It’s wonderful, you made some memories, maybe one day, when you’re sixty, you’ll tell your children about this summer.

A: Hopefully. Moving onto teaching, was this the first time you taught non-Russian speakers?

M: Yes, it was the first time, my first experience of the kind. I think it was positive.

A: As your student, I can confirm.

M: Thank you. Really though, I have always been a student so a foreign language teaching opportunity seemed cool, and now I know more about my own language, because when you speak it from your birth birth you don’t think about ‘Why do I say it like that?’ and then your student asks you a question. For example, if you remember when we talked about ‘years old’ and you say either ‘год’ or ‘лет’, I have never thought about it.

A: Yeah, and for ‘I have’ you say ‘There is by me’, which really struck me.

M: Exactly and it’s not the same language family. It might have been easier if it had been. But it’s amazing because both sides involved have gained something, I did something good for you and I got some experience myself.

A: You got to practice your teaching skills. I suppose teaching Inga and Ana was easier than teaching us?

M: Yes, a bit. I’m considering studying pedagogy, because I was thinking about becoming a teacher, in the future, to teach children maybe English or German and now I think about it more.

A: You should, it’s a rewarding career and you’ve got a knack for it. I was planning on asking you if you wanted to do it again, I suppose yes?

M: Sure, of course.

A: Another thing, is there a memory about volunteering or teaching that you would like to share, something you’re fond of?

M: I think I made new friends and I’m happy I met you, it was a good experience to get out of my comfort zone. I was really terrified. When my French teacher offered me this opportunity and I said yes -because I say yes to everything- and then I was thinking ‘Marina, what are you doing?’ but it was too late to say no, as I’d already said yes, but I am happy I got out of my comfort zone. I will try to do it more often.

A: Last question: who’s you favourite student? Is it me?

M, laughing: No, I don’t have favourites, you all are, like my children.

A: Okay, okay. Thank you again so much for doing this.

M: My pleasure, really.