The study of Russian is an enjoyable and increasingly rare
experience, and Bolton School is one of a small number of schools
in England which still offers Russian at both GCSE and A Level. To
take Russian to GCSE is to gain a qualification which would stand
out on any university application form. It offers pupils the chance
not only to learn about one of the leading Eastern European
languges, but also to discover more about the culture of one of the
most fascinating countries in the world. This is the nation, after
all, that was described by Winston Churchil as "a riddle wrapped in
a mystery inside an enigma"; we endeavour to help the boys unravel
some of the mysteries of Russia and the Russian language.
Boys who choose to begin Russian at the start of Year 8 have six
lessons over two weeks, while those in Year 9 will have five
periods of Russian during the same time frame. To help pupils
master the language, our teachers of Russian use a wide variety of
techniques and materials, including video and language games and
numerous activities on the interactive whiteboard. Once boys know
the alphabet, they learn to talk and write about themselves, their
home, discuss the weather and hobbies, and give and understand
directions - all in Russian. As confidence and linguistic ability
develops, pupils have the opportunity to study with our own
native-speaker of Russian, Mrs Tymchyshyn, use an interactive
Russian language course on CD Rom, take advantage of the
department's Russian digital television facilities, as well as
websites on the Internet and to correspond with Russian school
children at our link-school in Moscow.
At the end of Year 9, the vast majority of boys opt to continue
to study Russian to GCSE and, as results have shown in recent
years, attain some of the highest grades available. The Department
follows the Edexcel specifications and boys sit papers that seek to
assess their abilities across four key skill areas: listening,
speaking, reading and writing.
The take-up at AS/A2-Level is impressive and our success is
recognised nationally: the Department has twice been voted by The
Good Schools' Guide as the best Russian department in the country
in the last four years. Moreover, the number of boys who choose to
continue their Russian studies at university is great and the
Department is well respected in university circles for the calibre
of student it develops.
We follow the Edexcel specifications at AS and A2. Both are
assessed by terminal examinations that, as at GCSE, seek to assess
candidates' abilities in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
There is no coursework option, but candidates can re-sit AS papers
in Year 13. During the AS year, topics and themes such as Social
Issues, Leisure, Education and Employment, Travel and Tourism are
studied, whilst for A2 this is expanded to include the Environment,
Cultural Traditions and beliefs, and International Affairs,
together with a more in-depth look at Literature and the Arts.
Departmental Activities
The Russian department organises a biennial trip to Russia,
usually to Moscow and St Petersburg, which has proven to be highly
enjoyable, immensely educational and invariably unforgettable for
all those who have been fortunate enough to experience it.
In addition to providing boys with the chance to witness the
enchanting nature of Russia firsthand - the visit includes, amongst
other things, trips to the Kremlin, Red Square, the Hermitage, St
Basil's Cathedral and the Bolshoi Theatre - it also offers ample
opportunity for the development of their linguistic skills, not
least when the boys meet their penfriends at our link school in
Moscow.
Those who continue the subject to AS level travel to the
University of East Anglia prior to the start of Year 12 for an
intensive one week course on the Russian language. Although the
main aims here are to develop linguistic fluency and confidence,
our boys take part in cultural activities, which in the past have
seen them sing Russian songs and perform Cossack dances with
Russian scholars of all ages!
During the Easter break in Year 13, A2 students travel to the
Pushkin Institute in Moscow for a seven-day stay, during which they
hone their Russian skills prior to the crucial A Level
examinations. There the boys attend classes, usually conducted
exclusively in Russian, gain further experience of daily life in
Russia and return to England in an excellent position to do well in
the examinations that follow.
Boys in the Lower and Middle Schools, meanwhile, are always
welcome to attend the Russian club, which meets every Friday
lunchtime. Here, the boys gain an insight into many different
aspects of Russia and the Russian language, to supplement learning
that they do in class. While there are discussions on the history
and geography of the country, boys also learn about everything from
traditional Russian games through to recipes for authentic Russian
dishes!
Head of Department
P G Davidson, BA
Members of the Department
C A J Pownall, BA Ms J Wardle, BA
Mrs V Tymchyshyn, BA