Ohio Students Take Firsts in Russian Olympiada

Eleven Ohio University students participate at Russian Olympiada.

The Ohio University Russian Program is proud to announce that 11 Russian students (10 freshmen and one junior) participated in the 2015 Undergraduate Olympiada of Spoken Russian. The competition this year was hosted by Kent University on Feb. 28.

Michael Abelev

Tested on an oral interview, a poem recitation, and a presentation on a random topic, students competed within their respective levels in the all-day event dedicated to expanding and recognizing students’ achievements in Russian language. “Our wonderful students delivered again!” says Dr. Mila Shevchenko, Assistant Professor of Russian.

Michael Abelev (RUS 1120) took first place in the Heritage Learner category.

Anna Mendlein

Anna Mendlein (RUS 3120) took first place in Level 3.

Kathleen Meehan (RUS 1120) took third place in the Level 1 category.

About the Undergraduate Russian Language Olympiada: “In partnership with other Ohio universities and colleges, the Center for Slavic and East European Studies (CSEES) helps to organize the Undergraduate Russian Language Olympiada.  This competition is an opportunity for Russian language students from all over Ohio to practice and showoff their Russian speaking skills.  The one-day event is usually held in winter at a participating college’s campus.  Students compete with each in three rounds of competition: an oral interview, poem recital, and topic presentation,” according to the CSEES website.

Kathleen Meehan

Oral Interview: The student is interviewed by a panel of two judges based on a list of sample questions. Topics and skills are based on ACTFL speaking proficiency guidelines.

Poem Recital: Each student recites a poem in Russian that they have choosen and prepared in advance. The selected poem can either be an original Russian poem or translation of a non-Russian poem. Poems must be at least eight lines long for first-year Russian students and at least ten lines long for second- to fourth-year students. Students are graded on pronunciation and fluidity of speech.

Topic Presentation (bilety): Tickets that specify a particular topic are presented to students face-down. Students are able to draw two tickets and then choose one of the topics on which to present. Topics and skills are based ACTFL proficiency guidelines for speaking. Judges then ask students follow-up questions.