Carrie S. Hewitt and Dr. Gary Browning, Germanic and Slavic Language
On June 23, 1996 I returned from Spring term study abroad program in St. Petersburg, Russia where I lived the language, experienced the colorful culture and learned to love the Russian people. The purpose of my creative research project was to build upon a developing professional knowledge base, acquire authentic teaching materials and creative ideas—all critical to the art of professional language teaching. Throughout my time in Russia I chronicled both the positive and the negative experiences. I used my journal entries to record new teaching ideas, express frustrations and ambiguities found in Russia, as well as detail the priceless relationships with good and generous people. In two weeks I will begin a four month student teaching experience culminating in certification in Russian Secondary Education. As a prospective teacher the results of this project can only be termed as an invaluable success. Among the most valuable experiences are the language skill improvement, the authentic cultural items gathered and my powerful new perception of the Russian people.
My language skills dramatically increased by solving real problems immediately and by interacting directly with the people. The problems solved prove valuable because the practical, real life situations required me to make sense of every grammar rule previously learned in order to communicate and survive in this different world.
One of the best examples occurred while I waited for the trolley bus enroute to the university. As I finished eating a banana I searched without success for a garbage can to dispose of the peel. The thought of being crammed into a smelly, rush-hour trolley bus with a banana peel forced me to ask a woman standing at her milk stand to direct me to the nearest garbage can. She looked at me quizzically, then pointed to a hidden, wooden bin. I was relieved. This incident may seem insignificant but before I came to Russia I did not know the word for garbage can (incidentally, the word is not found in the dictionary). I happened to hear it the night before when my Russian hostess asked me to empty the trash. I recorded the new word in a small notebook and remembered it at an opportune time, reinforcing not only the word but also the correct sentence structure for such a question.
Similar everyday experiences had the same profound teaching power. Experiences purchasing theater tickets, metro tokens and food; using the library; understanding directions; and finding transportation will undoubtedly find a place in my teaching style. Whether it be a re-creation or an impromptu example of the situations I will be able to summon these hands-on experiences to the classroom. While teaching standard language skills, such as reading, speaking, listening and writing, is critical to language learnng, I believe the material will be learned faster and remembered longer if the students experience the practicality of real language functions.
The teaching materials I gathered also proved to be a valuable result of this project. Along with the 18 rolls of film (for cultural awareness slide presentations and lesson introductions) I gathered maps; children’s stories; food packaging; videos; money; flags; scarves; toys; restaurant mats; music; and books. These items are valuable because they are concrete teaching aids that will encourage cross-cultural thinking and discovery of Russian culture. In order to find the most authentic and popular music I went to a street corner music stand and asked 15-year old Arkady his opinion. I chose a rich panorama of Russian music including children’s songs, folk, modem and classical music. Studying music in a language class is crucial for cultural appreciation and listening skill improvement. Music and other authentic materials will enrich learning.
More important and valuable than the practical language functions or the music and toys I collected is an almost indescribable yet very real feeling of respect, awe, understanding and love for the Russian people. The people I met and the friends I made changed me. When I first arrived Russia was full of frustrations. The language barrier being only a small part of the problem. One journal entry dated May 9th adequately explains my feelings:
“I find myself impatient inside my mind and heart with the many inconveniences and communalization of everything. I feel suppressed somehow and want to escape back to America. I’m definitely learning to do without, plan on inconveniences and deal with them quickly and positively and get on with life.”
Later I started noticing unique characteristics of the people and places around me. I noticed that I could see beyond the dirt and rundown appearances of the buildings and streets. Instead, I saw color in the people’s faces and clothes, even mismatched clothes. I noticed women, both old and young, walking arm in arm down crooked, muddy paths relating their troubles and giving support. I saw beautiful architectural designs, heard life stories, and participated in cultural activities. I discovered that Russians find peace and stability while walking in parks, talking about the architectural history of their cities and attending cultural performances.
It was a crisp, cool morning in May when I witnessed an unbelievable number of people solemnly filing past a mass grave to pay their respects to soldiers and citizens who died of starvation during World War II. I met a veteran soldier decked in his blue uniform and medals. As I took his picture I felt a strong desire to befriend these people and understand their hardships. Yet, if I wasn’t able to understand completely, at least I could learn to appreciate their culture and discuss it in my future classrooms.
My improved language skills and store of visual aids cannot be compared to the new perceptions and friendships that I experienced. My goal as a Russian teacher is to introduce the students to this unique and colorful culture by focusing not so much on scores in a grammar exam, but by using accurate language and correct cultural awareness as a means to enjoying meaningful relationships with our neighbors and friends—the Russian people.