The ILS Russian Club's latest meeting was devoted to Russian New Year's traditions, with younger students from Japan, South Korea, China and the Netherlands learning how the holiday is celebrated in Russia.

"The Russian Club's first goal is getting acquainted," explains Yulia Filatova, who teaches Russian as a Foreign Language. "All our international students learn Russian, including the youngest, who are five years old. It's very important that our meetings are interesting and fun for friends of Russian language and culture."

A letter to Grandfather Frost; discussion of a short New Year's film; quizzes - all these tasks include learning Russian adjectives, and the children handled them brilliantly."

"I helped lead today's club meeting," says 9th grader Cho Sein, who comes from South Korea. "I've been learning Russian for several years. I like the language and hope that it will help me in my future profession."

"This year more than 40 international students are studying at our school, and their Russian teachers devote a lot of time to Russian culture as well as to the language itself," explains ILS Principal Olga Shevchenko. "Russia is the only country where Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, is part of the holiday celebration, and the children learn about her history. We hope that when they finish their studies and return to their home countries, they will have warm memories of their years at ILS."