Emma Zakirova: “You should always try again”
20 December 2021
Philology student Emma Zakirova became a finalist of the Russian Language Ambassadors in the World program. She shares her impression from the whole experience.
鈥� What drove you to partake in the program in the first place?
鈥� It was my second try in the preliminaries. In 2018, I didn’t make it but met a lot of wonderful people with whom we are still in contact. So friendship was one such motive. I wanted to take this to the end and prove that I am now ready to be a part of this program.
鈥� What were the preliminaries about?
鈥� Our on-site preliminary took place during the 7th Russian-Armenian Forum in Moscow. We were learning how to teach Russian to non-native speakers. The second day was dedicated to contests – we had to make a presentation titled ‘7 Wonders of the Russian Language’ and prepare 10 minutes of a real lesson of Russian.
鈥� What poem did you choose for the contest?
鈥� It was my favorite poem – Ivan Goncharov’s ‘I had a dream’.
鈥斅�What was the most memorable in being instructed by the leading educators of the Pushkin State Institute of Russian Language?
鈥� Experts of the Pushkin Institute are real icons of Russian as a foreign language teaching. They are immensely experienced and knowledgeable in the topic. I was impressed by their teaching style – speaking simply about complex matters.
鈥� What did you feel when you found out about your place among the finalists?
鈥� I was really anxious until I heard my name. I really cried from happiness because it was my story of three years, the story of friendship and growth.
鈥� What are your expectations from your first trip to the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States?
鈥� I expect difficulties. The first expedition is the most important test.
鈥� What would your advice be to those guys who wish to partake but are too bashful?
鈥斅燦ever be afraid. I am convinced that action is always better than inaction. You have to always try again.