You may be asked to teach your own class. If so, what teaching methodologies and techniques would you utilize to teach your language to U.S. students? This brief essay should focus on the language you will be teaching in the U.S. (not English). Mention any innovative approaches you have utilized as a teacher or encountered as a learner that you may employ.

As a young, motivated, teacher who is fond of using innovation, I want to allow my American students to learn Russian by immersion in various aspects of Russian history and modern culture. From the historical traditions of village gatherings with tea to modern rap performances. I will apply modern technologies such as mobile applications, elements of gamification, and social networks. For me it is important to use as much of the Russian language in the classroom as I can use technologies such as total physical response, TPRS, the natural approach to increase student talking time. I think it is necessary to teach with humor, to try to be the students’ friend and mentor, and to speak the living language. Although I plan on teaching with immersion in Russian using the direct method and the fact that 90% of the time students will speak Russian, I believe my advantage is that I will be able to explain complex aspects of grammar and mentality (for example, the difference in the response «How are you? » Between Russian and American culture) in English. Language learning is inseparable from immersion in the culture of the country of the learning language. I think it is important to show the richness of the culture behind the language, and what the opportunities are when learning a language. This can be done through listening to modern Russian music, its performance, discussing movies and TV shows. And through the discussion about stand-up performances students will be able to understand Russian humor and actual topics. I have a few possible activities ready to go: speaking clubs, for example, "Some tea with granny", "rap battle", quiz, for example, the game "What? Where? When? " on a given topic. All the above will allow applying acquired knowledge into practice gradually and imperceptibly for students will allow them to break the language barrier and increase their confidence in speaking. Such activities will show the differences and similarities between Russian and American culture. The use of bright presentations, video, and audio materials, as well as gamification will increase engagement and will not leave anyone on the sidelines. For example, surveys in the app Kahoot will help to achieve a good workout and goal setting sessions, and a team or a single game in Quizlet will help students to remember the vocabulary that was established earlier. Board games such as taboo, mafia, Imaginarium, Lotto, and others, are aimed to repeat traversed vocabulary, raise the students’ involvement. One of the key strategies of language learning – the reduction of teaching talking time and, with the help of technologies such as total physical response, tprs, to increase student talking time. The Natural approach technology is very similar to the direct method and is responsible for the active use of the language according to a similar language learning scheme for babies. It allows you to enter new vocabulary into the active phase while allowing you to teach and study speaking 90% of the time Russian. During the teaching and practice of the material, the teacher should monitor, including using concept checking questions, check for errors, and engage with students. The eliciting technique with the help of antonyms, synonyms, definitions, visuals, a word map, and much more will allow me to teach students vocabulary, avoiding the transition to English. My enthusiasm, the modern teaching technologies I have already mastered and tried out, my involvement in the educational process and Russian culture make me an ideal candidate for the FLTA program. It would be fascinating for me to teach Russian; I strive to work creatively and diversely. Thank you for considering my application.