Language Learning Modules

HSCAP Language Modules

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the High School-to-College Articulation Project (HSCAP) is designed for Russian language learners at the advanced high school level and novice-intermediate college level, as well as heritage learners. The project combines the study of advanced Russian language with several aspects of Russian culture.

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Click the category headers below to view the language modules in each category.

These modules focus on important events and influential personalities throughout Russian history.
Revolutionary Movements
The Russian Revolution is a hot topic for those studying Russian language, history, and culture. Give your students some background information, by reviewing this module, which gives a brief history of Russia from the assassination of Alexander II to the coronation of Nicholas II.
Glasnost and Perestroika
In March of 1985, the USSR's aging Politburo named the young Mikhail Gorbachev to the powerful position of General Secretary of the Communist Party. Gorbachev then, put the USSR on a course of reform, a course that hastened the fall of the Soviet Union. Learn about the changes Gorbachev introduced and learn Russian, too! This module includes reading comprehension and critical thinking activities that revolve around a text on Perestroika and Glasnost.
After the Revolution - Politics
In addition to the economic changes, the revolution stirred activity among political parties that redesigned the political landscape of Russia. In this module, you will learn about the civil war, the politics of the communist party, the formation of the Soviet Union, and the infighting following Lenin's death. This module contains movie clips from the film "Chapaev."
The Great Patriotic War
This module discusses World War II, or as it was called in the Soviet Union Velikaya Otechestvennaya Voina. Your students can learn Russian while learning about this most important time in Russian history. This module includes video and audio components.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Bring Perestroika into your classroom! Russnet's new module on the fall of the Berlin Wall combines reading comprehension, language use, vocabulary, and grammar activities into one concise module.
The Decembrist Uprising
The Decembrist uprising was a great turning point in Russian history. It is a history of dedication, rebellion, betrayal, punishment, and love. The exile of the Decembrists, shaped the face of a nation, from Moscow to Siberia.
Peter the Great
This module examines another leader in Russia's history, Peter the Great. Using video, and texts, the student studies many aspects of Peter's reforms, life, and character.
Stalin
Take a glance at Stalin's life in historical perspective. The student reads texts and watches authentic documentary footage, from Stalin's childhood to his death. The presentation concludes with a discussion of the impact his rule has on contemporary Russia.
The Russian Revolution
Take a journey back to one of the most important events of the 20th century. This module utilizes authentic texts, memoirs, audio and video to give the user a view of history while learning the Russian language.
After the Revolution - Economics
The Russian revolution triggered large-scale economic change in the Soviet Union. Learn about these changes in the Russian economy in the years following 1917. Read about the peoples' hope and despair that accompanied these new changes. This module includes texts about New Economic Policy (NEP), industrialization, and collectivization. This module is great for intermediate learners, and it also includes film footage from Russian documentaries, which is well suited for more advanced and heritage learners.
Enlightened Absolutism
This important European movement had a significant influence on the Russian ruling class.
The Pugachev Uprising
Learn about this important uprising that changed the course of Russian History
Catherine the Great
The reign of Catherine the Great marked a significant point in Russian History.
Christianization of Russia
Learn about an important event in Slavic history - the selection of Orthodoxy as the religion of Russia.
These modules focus on famous Russian authors and poets.
Iosef Brodsky
This module is based on the life and times of the Russian émigré poet, Iosef Brodsky. It examines his life in Leningrad, and follows his travels through Europe, and then to the United States. He was a U.S. citizen when he won the Nobel Prize in 1987. This module contains audio of Brodsky's poetry. The text in this module is advanced, but there are several different activities in the module that can be tailored to other levels.
Anna Akhmatova
Learn about the struggles of being a poet during World War II and the Stalinist repressions.
Anton Chekhov
Delve into the experiences and mind of Russia's great literary figures.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky is one of the great literary figures of the millennium. Explore his life and his works. This module examines the darker side of St. Petersburg and life by examining it in Dostoevsky's spiritual point of view. It includes film clips from the film adaptations of "Crime and Punishment" and "White Nights."
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin
In this module, you can learn about 19th century St. Petersburg through the literature of Alexander Pushkin, considered to be Russia's National poet. This module includes scenes from various film adaptations of Pushkin's works.
Nikolai Gogol
Take an adventure in St. Petersburg, looking through the eyes of Russia's quirky writer, Nikolai Gogol. See St. Petersburg as Gogol saw it. Learn about the Gogol's despair, and how he translated that despair into some of Russia's greatest and most comedic literary works. This module contains excerpts from the film version of "Shinel'" and audio clips of Dmitri Shostakovich's "Nos".
The Culture modules focus on interesting and important aspects of Russian culture.
Peers: School
In this module, the student learns about what life is like for a Russian student, on the most important day of the year, the first day of school. Watch authentic video of a typical Muscovite school and the customs carried out on this day.
New Russians
Take a look at Russia's new Russians. Examine the truths, stereotypes, and the jokes about this new social class.
Moscow
Moscow is perhaps Russia's most important city. Learn about it's geography and history. This module includes clips from the film "Pokrovskie vorota" (Dir. Mikhail Kozakov, 1982). It also contains activities based on articles from Russian newspapers.
Peers: Summer
This module takes a look at another event in a Russian student's life, even more fun than the first day of school - summer vacation. Exercises are based on authentic video showing various was that young people in Russia spend their summer vacation.
Russian Fairy Tales
This module introduces students to the magical world of Russian fairy tales.
Russian Holidays
This exciting multimedia presentation introduces the student to Russian holidays, their ceremony, and history. Exercises are based on a series of authentic texts, video, and audio. These exercises are excellent for heritage and non-heritage learners alike.
Russian Women Today
Learn about the issues that face women in modern Russian society. In this module, the user will read interviews with famous russian women, each with a very different view on women in Russian society. The module also includes music and poetry.
Matryoshka
If you have a Russian souvenir, chances are its this one. Come take a closer look, using text, video, and audio, at the history of Russia's most famous doll, the Matryoshka doll.
The following modules cover important topics and personalities from the field of science.
Ecology
Discover and discuss ecological issues that affect Russia today. This module includes filmed interviews, movie clips, and authentic texts.
Lomonosov
This module examines the life and times of one of Russia's greatest scientists and thinkers.

Keyboard Practice

Keyboard Practice gives an intoduction to typing in Russian, and focuses mainly on the phonetic keyboard layout, as it is the easiest for native English speakers to learn quickly.

Legacy Resources

Business Russian

Business Russian is one of the oldest sets of modules on Russnet. They are no longer actively supported, but may be converted in the future to bring them up to date with the other core modules. These modules still require the old Russnet fonts.

Cultural Map of Russia

Cultural Map of Russia is also an older Russnet resource that is no longer actively supported. There is some useful information on various regions of Russia, though the Russian text also requires the old Russnet fonts. This resource will not be revived in it's current form - though the content will likely find it's way into future Russnet modules.