Shaping Yourself Through Foreign Language Learning

In Russian, the word for "education," ≪образование (obrazovaniye)≫, is the same word as "formation." From this perspective that education is the process of forming a person, one could say that the *obrazovaniye* up to high school is the first stage, where you are taught and raised, while university is the second stage, where you form yourself. University is a place where you choose your own major and select your classes to shape yourself.

However, this is where foreign languages as required subjects come into play. In the Faculty of Law, you will study two foreign languages at least twice a week each for two years.

To be honest, however, it is difficult to become a proficient speaker of a new foreign language with this number of hours, and if you stop studying after earning the credits, you will quickly forget the grammar and vocabulary. So, what is the point of learning a foreign language that you are unlikely to use in the future (like Russian, perhaps??)?

If you attend class absentmindedly with this mindset, class time will be wasted, and you will spend extra time on homework and studying for tests. Instead, I encourage you to enjoy the experience of language learning itself, making a fuss over every little thing (though not literally in the classroom): "What a strange letter Ж is!" "Six case changes? No way..." "So that's why borscht is red!" Even if you later forget the vocabulary, the memory of encountering a foreign language and its culture is a valuable asset, and being able to exchange pleasantries and being able to read and write with a dictionary are wonderful skills. Of course, it goes without saying that it is important to broaden your horizons by learning about the culture and ways of thinking of the language's speakers. The Faculty of Law also offers an intensive course where you can study one language four times a week and continue to hone your skills until your fourth year. It is also our job as faculty members to continue to provide foundational language support for those who wish to specialize in area studies or become a bridge in diplomacy or trade.