Tomsk State Pedagogical University Promotes Russian Language in Kenya
An interview with Anna Bogdanova, Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages and International Cooperation at the TSPU, and Vadim Zyubanov, Head of the Department of International Cooperation, was recently published on the federal «Russian Education» portal. The discussion focused on the university’s initiatives to promote the Russian language in Kenya.
In 2023, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education, the Tomsk State Pedagogical University launched the Center for Open Education and Russian Language Instruction in Nairobi.
By 2024, the university had already implemented several key projects in this African region. One of the main initiatives was the development of an ethnically oriented teaching and learning program designed specifically for Russian language learners in Kenya.
«Promoting the Russian language and culture in African countries, particularly in the Republic of Kenya, is one of modern Russia’s key missions, — said Anna Bogdanova, Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages and International Cooperation at the TSPU. — In today’s rapidly changing educational and media landscape, this task requires flexible promotion methods and careful adaptation of content to reflect the everyday realities of Kenyan life. During our research project, we applied a comprehensive approach, including analysis of publicly available large-scale studies conducted in Kenya, focus group methods, various types of associative experiments, and surveys of the target audience».
Bogdanova noted that the comprehensive research helped to identify effective ways to promote a positive image of Russia in Kenya. For large-scale campaigns, traditional platforms like television, print media, and digital outlets can be used. However, to build long-term interest, she emphasized the importance of new media — social networks and messaging platforms that can serve both educational and communication purposes.
Vadim Zyubanov, Head of the Department of International Cooperation at the Institute, added that as part of the research project, the team analyzed the needs and interests of Kenyan citizens to better understand their motivations for learning the Russian language and exploring Russian culture.
«As a result of sociological surveys, we identified the most common motivations for learning the Russian language and exploring Russian culture, — said Zyubanov. — These include establishing a business, traveling to Russia for work and education, and engaging in tourism».
According to the project lead, the research resulted in the development of comprehensive learning modules for Kenyan citizens.
«TSPU staff have created educational content that helps shape a positive image of Russia in the areas of education, business, and tourism, while also fostering sustained interest in the Russian language and culture, — explained Vadim Zyubanov. — To ensure the learning process is effective, we developed ethnically oriented programs and instructional materials that focus not only on language acquisition but also on understanding Russian cultural values».
He emphasized that the educational program developed by the TSPU will be used in 2025 to teach Russian to Kenyan citizens at the Center for Open Education in Russian and Russian Language Instruction in Nairobi.
Based on the materials from the Russian Education federal portal.