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Study Russian in Saint Petersburgthe tsars' and writers' city |
for students, teachers, journalists and for all, who would like to discover Russia not without knowing its language
Saint Petersburg today | Study Russian in Saint Petersburg | Courses | Application | Accommodation | Transfer | Cultural program | Services | Prices | General conditionsSaint Petersburg today
The foundation of the city at the end of the XVIIIth century has been a real challenge: the swamps of the delta of the Neva river were not appropriate for agriculture, the river and the sea were frozen five months a year and the sea was not deep enough for boats to reach the shore. By creating a new harbor and a new capital city, Peter the Great wanted to show that Sweden had lost its leading position within the Baltic states and that a new Empire was born among European nations. The tsar was so powerful that within a short time, Saint Petersburg became the most populated city in Russia and the center of the political and cultural life of the country. Petersburg also was famous as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, erected by the best architects and town planners of that time. Cut by numerous canals and built around famous prospects, of which the Nevsky prospect, the town of the former aristocracy, embassies and imperial army is very lively. The majesty of the river, the beauty of the monuments and the harmony of colors contribute to make Saint Petersburg the most beautiful city of Russia still today, also called by many "Venice of the North" In 2003, Saint Petersburg celebrated the 300th anniversary of its foundation. The city has been restored and repainted as if it was built yesterday, and is welcoming millions of visitors for the coming years. We invite you to study Russian in the city of the poets Pushkin and Dostoevsky, to walk along its romantic canals and to discover the immense richness of the Hermitage museum. Study Russian in Saint Petersburg
There is a large choice of different courses. We recommend you to apply for individual lessons. Individual tuition allows you to choose your program together with your teacher, who can adapt his course to your needs and your own rhythm. You can follow a standard course of 20 lessons per week or an intensive course of 30 lessons per week. Lessons are 45 minutes each. You can also choose to live at your teacher's place while following an individual standard course. This program is the most efficient way to make rapid and constant progress. If you can spend only one or two weeks, you can follow a crash course specially designed for businessmen. With 42 lessons a week, 6 days a week, this program aims to give you a good command in Russian in a very short time. You study with two or three different teachers in a row, have lunch with them and benefit from a rich cultural program. Contact us for more details. You can also follow group courses (max. 4 students) with 20 lessons per week. These courses are available if there are enough interested participants with the same level of Russian as you. The best way to take part in a group course is to come to Saint Petersburg with friends, of course! You can also study one semester (20 weeks), following group courses of 20 lessons per week. After one semester, you will be able to speak Russian almost fluently and you will have met with many aspects of Russian culture and literature. Semester programs begin in September, January and May. Long-term courses are especially designed to prepare for the different levels of Russian language examinations that you can pass at the State Technical University including the offical TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language), the Russian equivalent of the TOEFL. Non-native Russian speakers with basic knowledge at the beginning of a language course should be able to achieve level 2 (advanced) after five months and level 3 (proficiency) after a year of intensive study. See a description of the various levels of Russian and the specific requirements of the TORFL test.
At the first lesson, you will have an entry examination test in order to determine your level of Russian. A second test is offered at the last lesson, allowing you to measure your progress. At the end of the course, each student receives a certificate with a statement on the type of course he followed and the achieved level of Russian. Duration of your stay Based on many years of experience we suggest that the minimal time you will need to get acquainted with the new environment and the Russian language is two weeks. If time permits we strongly recommend you to stay for at least four weeks. The longer you stay, the more progress you will make, obviously. Beginners will need six to twelve weeks in order to develop the language skills necessary to communicate in an every-day-situation, and to be able to read and understand texts. Keep in mind: Russian is a complicated and difficult language to learn for foreigners and you will need to work hard on your progress. We require that you are familiar with the Russian alphabet prior to departure. This will facilitate your immersion into the Russian culture, and is, in fact, an easy task. Study material is available in any bookshop (check out also our own online bookshop). Application | Applications should be submitted as early as possible, latest four weeks before departure. You can download the application form, print and send it to us per mail or per fax. Upon receipt of an application, we will send you a confirmation and an official invitation to apply for a visa at the Russian consulate of your country. Accommodation | The best way to practice Russian is to stay with a family. All families hosting students live in the city center or not far from a metro station. They offer accommodation in a separate room. Meals are included in the price (breakfast and dinner). You can also stay at the Saint Petersburg youth hostels, which are located near the city center. Hotels have rooms for a wide range of prices. Please ask us for more detailed offers! Transfer At your arrival and departure, a staff member of the school will welcome you and drive you from/to the airport to/from your place of accommodation. Transfer on arrival is included in the price for group courses. Transfers on arrival and on departure are included in the price for individual courses.
Cultural program and travel |
There are also different cultural programs. For example, a special course is offered on Fridays on a cultural theme, with a related excursion the next day. Once a month, all students are invited to a one-day trip outside Saint Petersburg on the Neva riverside: "shashlik", the Caucasian barbecue, and "bania", the Russian sauna, make you discover the true Russian life. Programs are announced in advance, booking and payment is on place. You will receive a Russian student card on the first day of your courses. With this card, you will enjoy substantial reductions on air and train fares, museums and tickets for theater, ballet, circus and opera - you will actually pay the Russian student price. Don't miss this opportunity! We can help you organize a trip in Russia, too. Moscow is only one night by train or one hour by plane away, and the Trans-Siberian rail track brings its passengers to the very Far East until Beijing and Vladivostok. Don't miss to stop at the wonderful lake Baikal. And for airline tickets and hotels throughout Russia, why not book online ? We also have further travel info on our tips and tricks page and a active forum for questions. Services |
Prices | We are committed to offer high quality courses that exactly fit your needs, but are also affordable to students. We can only do so from our own experience as students in Moscow and Russia and from our ten years practice in sending students to Russia. (-->About us). Courses
Accommodation
Visa invitation (including registration)
The enrollment fee is EUR 50 and is non-refundable. All prices are including taxes and are quoted "as is". General conditions | 
a) LiabilityZiegler & Partner Ltd., a registered company in Switzerland (GmbH under Swiss law), with representatives in the US and Moscow, shall not be liable in connection with its contracted services for (a) incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages of any sort, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, even if Ziegler & Partner GmbH has been informed of the possibility of such damages, or (b) for any claim by any other party. Liability is limited to double the contracted sum.b) Application and validity of contractApplication should be announced in written form at least four weeks before departure, for later applications an express tariff may be added. The contract will only be valid after an initial deposit is received. The deposit is due 20 days before any of the contracted services start.c) Cancellation and reimbursementCancellation of any contracted program prior to departure costs USD 100 and must be announced in written form, fax or by email. Costs for visa and already issued transportation tickets cannot be reimbursed. Cancellation of any contracted service after arrival in Russia must be announced at least 10 days before becoming effective. Ziegler & Partner GmbH will fully reimburse unused services.d) ProlongationProlongation of courses and stay in Saint Petersburg is only possible after contacting our local partner who will take care of your visa extension.e) Change of programThe program is subject to change. If we cannot find an equal replacement, you will be reimbursed the difference in value. Changes in prices will be announced until 21 days before departure. If not explained or if exceeding 10 % of the contracted sum, you can cancel the contract without further costs within 6 days.f) InsuranceEvery participant must be insured for accident and illness during his stay under the contracted program. Proof of proper insurance must be presented prior to departure.g) Swiss law is applicable. Place of judgement is Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ziegler & Partner GmbH, Orzens 42, CH-1095 Lausanne, Switzerland, Tel. +41 21 791 32 80
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