Olympiad

St Petersburg University organizes Olympiads on different subjects for almost one hundred years. Since 2018, the University annually organizes Olympiads in Russian as a foreign language. During these five years, more than 35 000 foreigners from 165 countries from all over the world took part in them!

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Chronology of University’s Olympiads in Russian as a foreign language

• In 2018-2019, the first St Petersburg University Olympiad in Russian as a foreign language was organized for school and university students. The first qualifying round of the Olympiad was in online format, but as for the second round, the organizers themselves visited the finalists and talked to each of them. The final round of the Olympiad consisted of four parts: Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking. A total of 1,450participants from 82 countries took part in this competition.
• In 2019, the University together with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation organized the International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language. It also consisted of two rounds; all tasks were given in the online format, and this helped to expand the geography of the participants. This time, the competition gathered 7,199 foreign citizens from 131 countries.
• In 2020 the University held two Olympiads in Russian as a foreign language.
• Within the II Olympiad in Russian as a foreign language, the organizers also scheduled visits to the participants’ countries for face-to-face tests. But the plans had to be changed because the pandemic, and the final round was not held in face-to-face format at all venues. The Olympiad took place despite everything: those who could not meet the organizers committee in person could continue participating online. 3,199 foreigners from 98 countries competed for the title of the winner in the II Olympiad in Russian as a foreign language.
• Since November to December the same year, the St Petersburg University held a new competition with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and this time, it broke the record of all similar events in terms of scale and number of participants. The II International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language became the biggest event in its field because it drew attention of more than 9,500 foreign citizens from more than 147 countries. Each of 939 winners and runners-up received new colorful books as a gift to hone their language skills and other memorable prizes.
• In 2021, the University continued to hold competitions but they were national-oriented; they were organized specifically for citizens of certain countries (Greece and USA).
• In autumn 2022 the University held a new exciting competition joining traditions of online Olympiads and University Olympiads. From the former, a completely remote format was borrowed, and from the latter, a variety of task types, in particular, Listening tasks. Despite the tense foreign political situation, the III International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language gathered 5,000 fans of Russian from 129 countries.
• And finally, in 2023, the IV International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language took place. The number of participants increased drastically compared to the previous year: 8,770 of foreign citizens from 144 countries (including island territories and other equally exotic regions).

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Why take part in University’s Olympiads?

• First of all, it’s additional language practice. The Olympiad tasks are created by the top experts of the Language testing center of St Petersburg university who specialize in the development of examination materials for state testing in Russian as a foreign language (TORFL).
• Secondly, taking part in the competition is a chance to demonstrate your skills and stand out from the others. To participate, you will only need a computer with the Internet, some time and your desire – but how nice it is to be among the best!
• Thirdly, the diploma of the Olympiad winner or runner-up gives a significant advantage to its owner at the admission to St Petersburg University in the portfolio competition: its value is equivalent to a significant or even maximum number of points in the section “Documents on the level of proficiency in the language of implementation of the educational program” Also, the diploma of the Olympiad winner or runner-up can be used for competitive selection of Rossotrudnichestvo.
• Fourthly, all Olympiad winners and runners-up receive a voucher giving you an opportunity to take TORFL of any level once free of charge. The voucher is valid for one year and can be used for taking an online test or a face-to-face exam (including those held at venues of partner centers of the St Petersburg University abroad).

Website of the SPbU International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language

Follow the updates on the website of the SPbU International Online Olympiad in Russian as a Foreign Language!

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