RUSSIANHead of Department: Mr. Mikhail Lebedev
Teachers: Mrs. Natalia Vasilieva, Mr. Ivan Petrov
The Russian curriculum at the Moonstone Academy enables students to:
Enhance their ability to express themselves confidently and clearly in both spoken and written Russian, communicating ideas with increasing precision.
Be able to articulate and expand on thoughts and ideas smoothly and without hesitation.
Comprehend and interpret well-pronounced, standard speech at a pace close to normal conversational speed.
Broaden their understanding of how language functions, expanding their vocabulary to use and comprehend more advanced language across a variety of contexts.
Gain new insights, skills, and perspectives by engaging with a wide range of authentic spoken and written content, including literary works.
Cultivate awareness and appreciation of the culture and identity of Russian-speaking countries and communities.
Develop language-learning strategies for immediate application and to prepare for further studies in Russian at an Academy, higher education, or in professional settings.
Russian is taught from Year 8, as a second foreign language, right through to GCSE and A Level.
KEY STAGE 3
The Russian curriculum evolves to enhance students’ language skills and knowledge of Russian culture, history, geography, and literature. In Year 8, students master the Cyrillic alphabet, enabling fluent reading and writing by the end of the Autumn term, while learning basic grammar and everyday phrases. In Year 9, they further develop all language skills, explore advanced grammar and translation, and deepen cultural understanding through fairy tales and abridged literary texts. Listening skills are improved through Russian music and films. Key Stage 3 Russian provides a strong foundation for further study at GCSE level.
Year 8
Basics: Alphabet, numbers; Family and Pets; Town and Home; Hobbies and Free Time.
Year 9
School; Jobs; Russian Geography and Holiday; Russian fairy tales; Russian Cultural element: Music, Film and Literature.
KEY STAGE 4
The GCSE Russian curriculum is designed to help students of all abilities progress and foster a love for language through engaging cultural content. We follow the GCSE Pearson Edexcel Russian specification. Students complete assessments in speaking, reading, listening, and writing at the end of each term, starting in the Autumn Term of Year 10.
We offer exchange trips to Moscow and Saint Petersburg in Years 10 and 11. These educational trips aim to enhance students’ language skills and provide insight into life with a Russian-speaking family and in a Russian school.
In Year 11, we aim to take pupils well beyond the limited GCSE course, preparing them for further Sixth Form study.
Year 10
Grammatical cases; Town and holiday; Identity and culture (over two years); School.
Year 11
Future Aspirations, Study and Work; International and Global Dimension.
KEY STAGE 5
The A Level Russian curriculum offers engaging and inspiring themes, featuring both popular and new content that connects to key aspects of the culture of Russian-speaking countries. Students explore contemporary and classical literary texts and films, along with authentic materials from Russia. All themes are studied within the context of Russia.
Year 12
Theme 1: Developing Russian society: Russian youth; Education; World of work.
Theme 2: Politics and Culture; Media; Festivals and Traditions.
Year 12
Theme 1: Developing Russian society: Russian youth; education; World of work
Theme 2: Politics and Culture; Media; Festivals and Traditions.
DESTINATIONS
Our students often go on to study Russian or Russian- related courses at university (including Oxbridge). Russian, Russian and French/German, Linguistics, Russian and Geography, Russian and Economics and Business studies are very popular choices.
“At Moonstone Academy, we are dedicated to providing exceptional support to ensure our students have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential, both academically and in the broader community.”