GVSU professor Svetoslav Pavlov and junior Michael Martin, among others, are helping teach the Russian language to kids of Russian immigrants and refugees and the kids adopted from the countries of the former USSR.

“It’s important for two main reasons,” Pavlov said. “It’s important for the Russian community — for the children in the Russian community, because without the school many parents (would be) struggling to encourage their kids to use the Russian language in their homes, especially if only one parent speaks Russian.”

The Russian Community School, as the effort is called by Pavlov and Martin, was formed two years ago where it struggled with a lack of teachers. In September of 2011, with the help of Pavlov and Martin, the school began accomplishing many more goals. The program now reaches more than 30 kids and numerous families.

Martin was asked by Pavlov at the beginning of the year if he wanted to help teaching the kids the language.

“I jumped at the opportunity — it’s really pretty much as simple as that,” Martin said.

Pavlov said when students and teachers get together, the environment is much more informal and everyone can be comfortable practicing the language.

“The environment helps motivate them,” Pavlov said. “It’s not like their parents are imposing it on them, it’s a natural environment and it’s much more acceptable.”

Pavlov and Martin also explained the huge benefit for GVSU students.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s nice to be able to help out, but the most important thing for me personally is the ability to use my language and to experience Russian Culture first hand,” Martin said. “It’s extremely rare to find such a great opportunity to speak with natives, and it helps out a ton when learning the language.”

Pavlov said the arrangement is mutually beneficial for the community and the university.

“It benefits the community because they get assistance from the university and the students at the university can get first hand language and cultural experience,” Pavlov said. “I think in general, it also helps with the university’s image in the community.

Because GVSU has been working close with all of these kids, Pavlov said that at least most of these kids will considers GVSU for college later in life.

“We expect at least some of them will come here as GVSU students,” Pavlov said.

For more information on the program check out the Facebook page by typing “Russian School in Grand Rapids” into the search bar.

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