Dr. Julia Rochtchina
Position
Contact
Credentials
PhD (Moscow State University)
Area of expertise
Slavic Studies, Russian Culture, Language Teaching
I grew up in Russia and received my MA and PhD in Russian Studies from Lomonosov Moscow State University. My specialization is Russian as a foreign language. I find the process of learning a foreign language fascinating and from my early school years I wanted to teach such beautiful and poetic language as Russian.
My PhD thesis examined some of the dramatic changes in contemporary Russian language which was heavily influenced by word and structure adaptations from English.
Since 2002 I have been teaching Russian language and culture at UVic. My primary research interest is in language pedagogy and e-learning. I have developed an online tutorial for learners of Russian visited by more than 300,000 people each year from all over the world. It has been up and running for over a decade.
My new beginner Russian textbook Sputnik was published in September 2014 and piloted at UVic and the University of New Brunswick in first year Russian classes. I am currently working on the second part of Sputnik.
Deep interest in Russian culture and literature makes me feel excited about teaching all my cultural courses “Introduction to Russian Society and Culture” (SLST 100), “Major Figures of Russian Culture and History” (SLST 360), and “Fantasy and Science Fiction in Russia” (SLST 452).
“The Online Component of Sputnik: An Introductory Russian Language Course.” Canadian Association of Slavists Annual Conference, University of Ottawa, May 31, 2015
"Sputnik: An Introductory Russian Language Course", Part 2 (Victoria: TLT Network Inc., 2015).
"Sputnik: An Introductory Russian Language Course", Part 1 (Victoria: TLT Network Inc., 2014).
“Introducing Sputnik.” The Teaching Russian Conference, University of Victoria, August 21-22, 2014
“Teaching Reading Strategies in Russian Language Classes.” Canadian Association of Slavists Annual Conference, University of Victoria, June 2, 2013
“Teaching Grammar in Russian Language Classes: Effective Tricks and Ideas.” The Teaching Russian Conference, University of Victoria, July 22, 2010
“Russian Language: Reflecting People’s National Character.” Canadian Association of Slavists Annual Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, May 30, 2008
“Teaching Reading Strategies in Russian Language Classes.” Canadian Association of Slavists Annual Conference, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, 1–3 June 2013
“Modern Technology and a Future Russian Textbook.” The Teaching Russian Conference, University of Victoria, August 23-24, 2012
“Teaching Grammar in Russian Language Classes: Effective Tricks and Ideas.” The Teaching Russian Conference, University of Victoria, July 22, 2010
“Online Computer-Mediated Tools in Russian Language Classes.” Teaching Russian in the Pacific North West Conference, University of Victoria, August 20, 2009.
Julia is the author of the online Russian language tutorial Russian for Everyone .