Harbin’s looks to improve Russian language training

He Wei, principal of Harbin No 6 Senior Middle School and Wang Yuan, principal of Harbin Experimental School shake hands after signing an agreement to enhance Russian language teaching on April 24. [Photo/china.com.cn]

Harbin has set up its first Russian language education alliance to improve Russian language teaching in the city.

Harbin No 6 Senior Middle School has jointly established the alliance with Harbin Experimental School, Heilongjiang Daily reported.

The alliance was established to enhance Harbin’s exchanges with Russia and to help Harbin internationalize its services.

The two schools will provide opportunities for students learning Russian as their foreign language to further their college studies without taking part in the college entrance examinations.

Furthermore, the two schools will enhance cooperation with Russian schools and expand exchange programs for both teachers and students to study in Russia.

At the launch ceremony held on April 20, He Wei, principal of Harbin No 6 Senior Middle School signed an agreement with Wang Yuan, principal of Harbin Experimental School.

“The establishment of the education alliance for Russian language teaching is of great importance to the improvement of the Russian language teaching system,” Wang Yuan said.

Zhao Wenxiang, vice-director of Harbin education bureau, urged the two schools to play a leading role in teaching Russian and in promoting the development of Russian language education.

He expressed his hopes that the alliance will improve the quality of Russian language teaching at the two schools, as well as at all schools teaching Russian in the city.

Harbin No 6 Senior Middle School is the only key senior middle school which enrolls students who learn Russian as their foreign language.

Harbin education bureau has previously encouraged this middle school to carry out government-sponsored overseas study programs especially for students learning the Russian language, so as to facilitate their further studies abroad.

Harbin Experimental School will offer two classes this year for students who learn Russian as their first foreign language. Each class will have no more than 50 students.

Applications for the Russian classes open on May 12 and close on July 14. Students can apply both online and at the school.