880 persons graduate from free Tatar language courses

They were coordinated by the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication.

All three KFU campuses – Kazan, Naberezhnye Chelny, and Yelabuga – held courses for locals. Overall, the course comprised 36 one-and-a-half-hour lessons. The students were divided into three categories depending on their language proficiency.

“The youngest student was seven years old, and the oldest was seventy,” said Ramil Mirzagitov, Dean of the Higher School of Ethnic Culture and Education.

Apart from teaching the language itself, educators paid much attention to the history and culture of Tatar people. All alumni received certificates.

Yana Li, a teacher training student from the Republic of Buryatia, had a very illuminating experience at the classes, “Our incredibly positive teacher managed to relay the material in such a manner that we were really itching for the next lesson. Her technique was so effective that I, having previously had zero knowledge of Tatar, acquired a basic understanding of the language. Our textbook was really helpful in learning.”

Retiree Olga Samoylova noted the teachers’ professionalism, “Our pedagogue was able to involve us and explain the language in very simple terms. She gradually made the exercises more complex, thus preserving our willingness to progress. I want to commend the wonderful infrastructure and your helpful employees.”

This is what tour guide Ilya Oputin had to say, “Knowing your native language is massive – it’s history, religion, culture, and arts – everything blends together. I want to express my immense gratitude to the whole faculty. Each one made a contribution to make us know and spread our language.”

The next course is planned for autumn 2021, and it will be free of charge, as usual.

 

Source text: Alina Minnevalieva

Photos: Alexander Kuznetsov

Translation: Yury Nurmeev