Orange Russian
Language and Culture Programmes in Kiev
· Kiev - Gateway to Ukraine
· About us
- Why come to Ukraine?
· Our Programme
- Social programme
- Other services
· Accommodation
· Russian placement test
· Enrolment Form and Conditions
· Dates and Fees
Kiev - Gateway to Ukraine
Officially reinstated as the capital in
the 1930's, Kiev is a visually stunning and bustling cosmopolitan city. Besides
being at the commercial heart of the country, it is also the religious centre
of the Orthodox Church. For many Slavs, it is their spiritual home. In addition
to the variety of historical places of interest, the city is the seat of Government.
Both the Varhovna Rada (Parliament) and the Cabinet of Ministers occupy impressive
locations in the centre of town. Close by is the leafy Miskyi Garden Park where
there is the delightful 18th Century baroque Mariysinsky Palace hinting at a
grander Imperial heritage and in stark contrast to the city's more obvious Soviet
past.
Kiev is dominated by this Soviet legacy
and there are fabulous statues and architecture in praise of communism dotted
all over the city. The statue of Vladimir Ilych himself can be seen in the centre,
just off the main street Khreshchatyk and opposite the exotic Besserabsky market
- the best place to buy caviar - whilst the statue of Rodina Mat (Mother Land)
welcomes you to Kiev. Built as a glorification to the defence of the homeland
in The Great Patriotic War, this impressive and daunting edifice rises over
72m and looks out over the River Dnepr in the direction of Moscow. Dominating
the skyline on arrival, she warns the visitor to the city approaching from the
direction of the airport, that Kiev is no ordinary town.
Whilst the influence of Russia is never very away, bordering her boundaries
to the East, Ukraine is very much its own country. Both languages, Ukrainian
and Russian, are spoken but it is the latter that dominates in Kiev. Russian
culture is hard to avoid in this fascinating society, overshadowed for so many
years by their overlords to the north, Ukrainian history is testimony to the
uneasy relationship with their near neighbour. Today, you will witness the influence
of Russia in politics, in monuments and in the Ukrainians every day conversation
in the streets and in bars.
The recent Orange Revolution was Ukraine's first
real triumph in throwing off the Russian yoke pitting, as it did, a pro western
leader against the old guard. Desperate for authentic independence since the
official declaration in 1991, the government of 2005 has made genuine steps
to welcome a new dawn for the Ukrainian people but not at the expense of her
past or alienation of her natural cultural cousin.
Time in Kiev will offer the visitor a fascinating insight into the workings
of the
Eastern European mind and provide a unique experience that will leave an indelible
impression and open the door to an inevitable love affair with the Slavic way
of life.
About us
Why come to Ukraine?
· Explore one of the last undiscovered
great capital cities of Europe.
· Kiev is a stunning contrast between the
old and the new; a fascinating combination of both ancient and modern architecture.
Discover a culture in transition.
· The lifestyle is uniquely Ukrainian.
Emerging from 90 years as part of the former Soviet Union, the people have evolved
into a uniquely identifiable nation who are supremely proud to be Ukrainian.
· A vibrant and evolving country full of
opportunity and discovery. Ukraine's economy is the fastest growing in Europe.
· Political Ukraine. The latest CIS country
to emerge from political instability with a people's led peaceful revolution
in search of greater representative democracy.
· Unique geographical position in the centre
of Europe forming a bridge between the west and the east. Ukraine is the second
largest country on the continent which is divided culturally and politically
by the River Dnepr astride which sits the city of Kiev.
· Religious Ukraine. The spiritual home
of Orthodox religion. Historically the cradle of Eastern European religion,
the city boasts some of the most important cathedrals and churches in the country:
St Sophia's Cathedral, St Michael's Monastery and the truly magnificent Lavra
(Caves Monastery) at the centre.
· Artistic heritage is second to none in
the East. Opera house, ballet, art galleries, museums and so much more are offered
all in easy reach.
· The people are open, friendly and welcoming;
visitors are treated with great hospitality. In a country where prices are well
below the western European average holidays in Ukraine offer fabulous value
for money.
Our teaching style
You get the maximum benefit from our Russian
courses with our qualified staff who use internationally recognised syllabuses
and text books. Our teachers are key to your success and these enthusiastic
professionals are dedicated to providing a rewarding and stimulating learning
experience. Orange Russian's friendly, helpful team is here to help with every
aspect of your stay including accommodation and welfare.
We aim to provide you with:
· Clear objectives
identified before each lesson begins
· Challenging Sessions
designed to push you to the next level
· Dynamic and intensive
tuition to maximise your time in class
· Emphasis on practice
and active use of the language in real life situations
· Private study exercise
to consolidate your classroom activities
Your learning environment
Our study centre ensures that
there is an atmosphere in which you will feel motivated to learn. We hope to
make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible and consider socialising and
making new friends essential to achieving maximum benefit. In Kiev, just about
everyone speaks Russian, so you will have a lot of opportunities to practice
your communication skills even if it is buying food and drink or even finding
your way around.
Study Facilities:
· Comfortable spacious classrooms,
all with air-conditioning
· Well-equipped study centre with
computers, books, CD and audio materials
· Tutors are native speakers who
all hold recognised professional qualifications
Easy Russian and social programme
Particularly studying in a group, you will
benefit from our interactive approach. Leaning Russian has never been so simple
and so much fun. What happens outside the classroom is as much integral to the
process as the "whiteboard" in it. We have prepared a weekly programme
of activities with at least one event every day throughout your stay. Your schedule
allows you plenty of time to explore the breathtaking city and its nightlife.
Our Programme
Orange Russian is
a new educational and cultural programme, unique to Ukraine. It is designed
to specifically meet the increasing demand among the international community
for Russian language study and also to satisfy the growing curiosity for this
young democratic country. The curriculum combines an intensive course of Russian
language, culture and business, and varied social programme.
Participants' Profile
· Minimum age is 18.
· Multi-national classes
· People from different backgrounds; university
students, business people, those who are retired and anyone who enjoys educational
world travel and is fascinated by discovering new cultures.
General Russian Intensive Course
Three language study levels are offered
| Beginner Level - A Course of Survival Russian |
| The basics of grammar, the Cyrillic alphabet, vocabulary and a few essential
phrases but most importantly; you will go along way to overcoming the language
barrier forever! |
| Elementary Level - Smooth Communication in Russian |
|
The next stage in understanding grammar, sentence construction and focus
on developing speaking and listening skills. |
| Pre-Intermediate Level - Your first step to thinking in Russian |
| Fluency practice and functional language study. Idiomatic expression and
word combination study. Profound reading and writing skills. |
In order to find your correct level for study
and match your language needs, you will need to participate in a Language Proficiency
Analysis. However, unless you state you are beginner level, we will endeavour
to place you into the most compatible group.
Course curriculum
· Course length: 2 weeks
· Maximum 10 students per class
· Each lesson is 45 minutes, 40 lessons
per course
· Class sessions are Monday to Friday
· Extra-mural event supplied every day
after classes
· Course completion certificate
The emphasis is on developing your ability to
communicate effectively in Russian. We offer three standard programmes:
Sample schedule of our week-day programme:
10.00 - 10.45 Grammar in use, e.g. verb conjugations
10.45 - 11.00 Coffee-break
11.00 - 11.45 Vocabulary development
e.
g. idioms and colloquial words
11.45 - 12.00 Coffee-break
12.00 - 12.45 Review and practice of functional language
e.
g. how to ask the way, give directions
12.45 - 13.00 Coffee-break
13.00 - 13.45 Speaking practice, e.g. theme discussion
and error correction
13.45 - 14.00 Outline for next session. Home assignment
14.00 - 16.00 Lunch. Leisure time
16.00 - 17.00 Extra-mural activity by special requirement,
e.g. Ukrainian cuisine and table manners
19.00 onwards Free time.
Social Programme
Apart from the language study course, the programme
includes afternoon activities which are designed so that you can learn more
about the history, culture and politics of this fascinating country. Not only
these excursions will extend your learning experience but you will be able to
use and practise your Russian in everyday social situations.
Typical week-day afternoon events include:
· Country study workshops (extra-mural
activities)
· Opera/ballet trip
· Sports event
· Disco/music clubs
· Museum/gallery trip
· Night Life, etc.
These afternoon activities are supplied by requirement at extra charge.
The programme includes three weekend package tours:
· Kiev City Observation Bus Tour
- visiting the most popular historical and cultural tourist sites
· Kiev History Walking Tour - inclusive
of Ancient Russ landmarks and Orange Revolution sites
· Dnepr River Cruise - unforgettable
impressions of Kiev from the water
Leisure activities
Kyiv is a wonderful place both to see and to experience. Besides the spectacular
architecture there are many nightclubs and restaurants that offer the complete
night out. During the day, the islands in the middle of the Dnepr are a perfect
haven for relaxation - believe it or not there are numerous sandy beaches! Or
simply walking; it is a great city to get out and about by foot.
Other services
Insurance
When travelling to Ukraine, please ensure you
have a valid travel insurance policy for the period of stay. We will provide
you, however, with additional medical insurance with wide variety of risk cover.
This is to guarantee you with comprehensive cover (subject to terms and conditions)
during your stay and instant medical help in the case of emergency.
Visa support
No visa is needed for citizens of Great Britain
or EU countries to enter Ukraine (until September 2005). For other the nationals
who need an entry visa, we will send a letter of invitation and help you navigate
through any legal issues prior and during your stay. We can also provide you
with any additional information on Ukrainian legal regulations and customs procedures
should you require it.
Air ticket booking
We will advise you on choosing the right airline
and flight and, if required, carry out all your booking requirements.
Transfer
On arrival at Boryspol, there is an inclusive
airport transfer service via a comfortable bus. However, should you need an
individual transfer we will gladly satisfy your request.
Accommodation
We offer a wide range of accommodation for all budgets. Please see the options
below:
Student hostel - 280 euro for 14 nights
Self-catering apartment - 510 euro for 14 nights
Self-catering studio - 560 euro for 14 nights
3-4 Star Hotel options - from
60 to
100 euro per night
Student hostel
The best option for those who want to take full advantage of the socializing
aspect of their stay. Staying in a youth hostel, you will have your own
room but share the other facilities. |
Podol District
The old artist's quarter of town with numerous squares with bars and cafes
down near the river Single/TwinSelf-catering, Common utilities |
Self-catering apartment
Independent living in a self-catering, one-room apartment. Modern Ukrainian
design fully furnished with all conveniences. |
City Centre
Serviced apartments in the heart of the city. Minutes walk from Khrishchatick
withTV, washing machine, cooker, air conditioner, fridge etc. |
Self-catering studios
Situated about 10-20 minutes on foot from Business Links offices. These
are modern designer studio apartments offering quality accommodation in
the centre of Kiev. Please note there is limited availability. |
Central Districts
Serviced apartments in the heart of the city. Minutes walk from Khrishchatick
withTV, washing machine, cooker, air conditioner, fridge etc. |
Hotel apartments
We can offer a variety of 3-Star to 4 Star Hotel accommodation. Depending
upon your budget and special needs, we will look to satisfy all your requirements.
Double-room suites with high-quality service standards. |
Centre
We will help you choose the best accommodation to suit your needs. We have
a wealth of experience in selecting the right hotel. |
Date and Fees
Date Options
We offer the following starting dates for the
summer period, 2005:
| |
|
| July 16 - 30 |
available
|
| July 30- Aug 13 |
available
|
| Aug 6 - 20 |
available
|
Fees
The programme cost is 460 Euro per person
without accommodation and flight.
Cost is inclusive of: language tuition, studying materials, airport transfer,
3 city tours at the weekend, medical insurance.
Russian Placement Test
If you are not a novice in Russian studies, we
offer you to do the Russian Placement Test, in order to register you for the
most compatible level. You can do it on-line by visiting our web-site, or you
can request it by fax.
Enrolment Form and Conditions
Complete the enrolment form on our website on-line
or request it by fax and return, along with a deposit of 100?, to reserve
your place right now.