Новости

Meetings of language speaking clubs have resumed at the International Resource Center of Tomsk State University Research Library with the start of the new academic year.

“Do you dream of speaking a foreign language like a native speaker but all your efforts seem to be wasted? Have mastered grammar, do all exercises without mistakes but don’t speak fluently? It is all because of the absence of linguistic environment”, Elena Tsukanova, the head of the International Resource Center, says. “One can not speak a foreign language fluently without practicing it. So what to do if there is nowhere or no one to talk to? We can offer a way out – come to the Research Library! We have speaking clubs here in eight foreign languages to choose from!”

“If you are interested in the Italian culture, you will have a captivating adventure across Italy with Carolina Botteschi, a PhD student at the TSU Faculty of Philology”, Elena continues. “Sebastjan Jemec, a polyglot from Slovenia and a PhD student at the TSU Faculty of Historical and Political Sciences, will tell you about the peculiarities and dialects of the German language, and at the Chinese club he will relate about details of organizing travels by train in China. And the nuances of the Chinese culture and language will be revealed by Wu Wanying, a PhD student at the TSU Faculty of Philology, and Zhao Tengfei, a third-year student at the Faculty of Philology. The Tomsk community of those loving French will gain new knowledge about the language and culture of France and French-speaking countries under supervision of Derghal Fateh, a master degree student of the TSU Biological Institute. If you dream of learning Spanish, you will get a boost of positive energy during these clubs: Martin Barba from Ecuador and others will share their sunny spirits with you!”

If you choose to learn English, there are two English clubs that have been functioning in the Research Library over the years already and it is these clubs that gave a start to all other speaking clubs. During English speaking clubs on Tuesdays fundamental academic topics are discussed, this semester the club will be moderated by Carolina Botteschi. English speaking club on Fridays is open to everyone. Ximena Calderon, a moderator of the Friday English speaking club and a librarian of the International Resource Center, won’t let you get bored as she always has various games and topics to offer for casual relaxed chitchat in English on Friday evenings.

TSU academic staff and PhD students have the opportunity to join “Morning English with Jean” online club. Discussion of topics related to participants’ research studies is the main point of this club. It is moderated by Jean Kollantai, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (USA), and a TSU Center for Academic Writing staff member; it is she who initiated the activities of speaking clubs in the TSU Research Library.

Cinema lovers can join Cinema Club where the participants watch movies in their original audio with English subtitles and share their impressions afterwards.

There is also an exotic club – Rumah Bahasa – devoted to the Indonesian language and culture. Its moderator Khoestiadi Bintang Vega is from Indonesia, now he studies at the TSU Institute of Economics and Management. At each club meeting there will be guests – representatives of different provinces of Indonesia where hundreds of peoples live. Each guest will speak about the peculiarities of their region, and the second part of the meeting will be devoted to the Indonesian language.

Russian native speakers who would like to help foreign students learn the Russian language, culture and traditions are invited to the TSU Russian Speaking Club for international students – your participation will be much appreciated.

Such format as Language Wednesdays has become very popular in recent years. The meetings are arranged in the hall next to the International Resource Center. The participants can choose freely what language to speak and with whom without a moderator and prepared topics for discussion.

Speak-Dating conversation marathon meetings will help you master your language skills.

“Overcoming the language barrier and the fear of speaking a foreign language, integrating into a multilanguage and multicultural community you will not only broaden your horizons but also find new friends!” Elena Tsukanova says. “We invite you to join our community and open up a whole world of opportunities!”

Speaking clubs in the TSU Research Library are arranged with the support and assistance of the TSU International Division.