Russian and Ukrainian Language Study in Ukraine
Last update: Mar. 08, 2010 (prices and dates updated for 2010)
Until recently, students have almost always gone to Russia (usually Moscow or
Saint Petersburg) for Russian study abroad programs. Now it may be time
to consider coming to Ukraine to study Russian. While Russia has
drifted towards authoritarian rule with ever more stricter visa
requirements, Ukraine has become a more open and somewhat more European
country with democratic values and a more liberal economy.
Russian language still dominant in most of Ukraine's large cities
In ten of the eleven largest cities of Ukraine Russian is the dominant
spoken language. You can get by fine knowing only Ukrainian in just two
of these eleven cities (Lviv and Kiev) and in any of the towns of
western and central Ukraine. For the most part, the Russian spoken in
Ukraine is the same as Russian spoken in Russia and all over the former
Soviet Union (more on that here). To a foreigner studying the language any differences would be barely recognizable.
At the same time, Ukraine is the only place to learn Ukrainian!
Ukrainian is spoken as a native tongue by nearly as many people as is
Polish, making it the third most widely spoken Slavic language. Its
importance in Europe will grow as Ukraine gradually integrates into the
European community.
Russian and Ukrainian Language Program in Kiev
Our
partners at Nova Mova International Language School in Kiev, Ukraine
have to keep renting larger and larger offices to handle the
ever-growing flow of foreign students of Russian and Ukrainian from all
over the globe. They have developed a highly effective intensive
language learning methodology, which is combined with fun cultural
activities and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Different lesson
formats may be chosen depending on students' needs. Not only will you
learn to speak either of these languages better, but you will make new
friends from both Ukraine and other countries. Inquire for more
information at the bottom of the page.
 Read student responses about Russian and Ukrainian instruction at Nova Mova school. Lots of pictures of students having fun!
| RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM |
| Program durations and fees (2009) |
All prices shown are in Euros, per week of instruction.
| Course | 1-2 wks | 3-4 wks | 5-8 wks | 9-16 wks |
| Group (20 hrs/wk) | 110 | 105 | 100 | 95 |
| Mini group (20 hrs/wk) | 195 | 185 | 175 | 165 |
| Individual (10 hrs/wk) | 150 | 140 | 130 | 125 |
| Individual (15 hrs/wk) | 225 | 210 | 195 | 188 |
| Individual (20 hrs/wk) | 280 | 260 | 250 | 240 |
| Individual (30 hrs/wk) | 420 | 390 | 375 | 360 |
| Mixed: 20 group hrs + 5 ind. hrs/wk | 270 | 257 | 243 | 230 |
| Mixed: 20 group hrs + 10 ind. hrs/wk | 345 | 328 | 310 | 293 |
Program
fee covers language instruction, course materials (CDs, handouts),
initial placement test, and certificate of program completion, but not accommodations or tours (read below). Mini groups have up to 6 people, and regular groups - up to 12. |
Class schedule
(for all programs) |
Group
courses have 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons per day, Mon - Fri 9:30 -
12:45. Each lesson is 45 minutes with a 15-minute break.
|
| Levels available |
Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced |
| Starting dates for group courses (2010) |
Jan 11; Feb 8; Mar 8; Apr 5; May 3, 24; Jun 7, 21; Jul 5, 19; Aug 2, 16, 30; Sep 20, Oct 4; Nov 1, 29
Note: these dates are for Beginner groups. Intermediate and advanced students can start studying with an existing group on any Monday of the year.
|
| Accommodation options and prices |
All prices shown are in Euros, per week of lodging.
| Housing option | 1-2 wks | 3-4 wks | 5-8 wks | 9-16 wks |
| Host family + HB (downtown) | 180 | 170 | 160 | 150 |
| Host family + BB (downtown) | 210 | 200 | 190 | 180 |
| Host family + HB (zone 1) | 150 | 140 | 130 | 120 |
| Host family + BB (zone 1) | 180 | 170 | 160 | 155 |
| Host family + HB (zone 2) | 140 | 135 | 130 | 125 |
| Host family + BB (zone 2) | 160 | 150 | 145 | 140 |
| Studio apartment (downtown) | 350 | 315 | 300 | 280 |
| One-bedroom apt. (downtown) | 490 | 440 | 415 | 395 |
| Studio apt. (zone 2) | 280 | 255 | 240 | 225 |
| One-bedroom apt. (zone 2) | 385 | 345 | 330 | 310 |
Key: HB = half board, BB = full board,
zone 1 is further from downtown, and zone 2 is further still
|
| Additional services |
Transfer to or from airport or train station: 35 Euros
Visa support (if necessary): 30 Euros |
| Afternoon and weekend tours (sample) |
- tour of downtown Kiev, including Orange Revolution sites
- tours of Kiev's many ancient churches and monasteries
- museum tours: World War II museum, Pirohovo museum of traditional architecture, Chornobyl museum
- tours of Ukrainian art gallery, Mariinsky Palace, and botanical garden
- boat trip on Dnipro river, weekend countryside retreat
These
and other tours are available upon students' request for an extra,
reasonable charge. Tours may also be organized to other cities such as Lviv, Odessa, Chernihiv, Uman, or even Chornobyl (follow links for photos).
Students
are provided with special handouts with necessary vocabulary relating
to each location they are visiting. Sightseeing is part of their
language practice! |
| Optional afternoon classes |
- Ukrainian and Russian cuisine
- traditional Ukrainian Easter egg painting (Pysanka eggs)
- Matrioshka painting
- traditional Ukrainian embroidery and woodcarving
- Ukrainian (Russian) traditional dancing and singing classes |
| Socializing |
Program
organizers will make sure participants have chances to meet people,
experience the nightlife, and attend cultural and sporting events if
they are interested. |
|
Individual Ukrainian and Russian language instruction
Tailor-made one-on-one Ukrainian and Russian lessons of any duration
and intensity are also offered year-round on an individual basis. How can I find out more?
To
apply to the language program or simply ask us a question, please fill
out the form below. My partners at Nova Mova school will respond to
your inquiry shortly.
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