Program Requirements

Russian Flagship prerequisite coursework includes first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year Russian language courses, or the equivalent. These prerequisites may be completed at UW–Madison or at another institution. Students with prior experience in Russian take a placement test to be placed on the appropriate course for their level. Students are not required to complete all prerequisite coursework before applying for admission to the program.

Most Russian Flagship students begin studying Russian at UW–Madison and complete the prerequisite coursework over two academic years and two summers. Typically, students complete second-year Russian (SLAVIC 203–204) during an intensive summer program at UW–Madison and fourth-year Russian (SLAVIC 321–322/465) through an intensive summer study abroad program. All prerequisite coursework must be completed before students enroll in advanced Russian Flagship courses.

Please note that Slavic 315-316 may be taken concurrently with either Slavic 275-276 or Slavic 321/465 (during the academic year).

Students choose one of the following courses:

Tutoring is a critical component of the Russian Flagship Program. Through weekly tutoring sessions ranging from 1-4 hours, students receive targeted language practice and focused support in small-group or individualized settings. These sessions help students strengthen their skills, make steady progress through the curriculum, and achieve the program’s proficiency goals.

Kazakhstan is a multilingual and multiethnic country in which Russian and Kazakh are widely used, alongside many other languages, including English. Although Russian is widely spoken in Almaty, where the Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) is located, both Russian and Kazakh are official languages of Kazakhstan. Developing a basic knowledge of Kazakh can help students demonstrate respect for and interest in Kazakh language and culture.

As part of their linguistic and cultural preparation for the ROF, Russian Flagship students must complete a series of introductory, non-credit Kazakh language lessons through the online course, Salem, Kazakhstan (designed specifically for Russian Flagship students) and pass the associated end-of-lesson quizzes. This requirement must be completed by August 1 prior to departure for the ROF.

The required Salem, Kazakhstan lessons are:

• Вводный урок (Introductory lesson)
• Тема 1: Все обо мне (All about me)
• Тема 2: Где я живу (Where I live)
• Тема 3: Едим дома или идем в ресторан? (Do we eat at home or go out to eat?)

A link to the Salem, Kazakhstan course is available on the Russian Flagship Canvas site. The course is hosted by the Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center at the University of Hawai’i.

Students interested in studying Kazakh for credit before departing for the ROF are encouraged to take advantage of one or both of the following opportunities at UW–Madison:

• Kazakh language courses offered during the academic year through the Department of German, Nordic, & Slavic+. The first course in the sequence, offered in the fall semester, is GNS 331: First Semester Kazakh, (4 credits).
• Intensive summer Kazakh instruction (8 credits), offered through the Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI).

Once in Almaty, ROF students are required to take an introductory Kazakh language course during the fall semester, with an optional continuation offered in the spring.

The Russian Flagship offers an optional career development course that is relevant to students with a wide range of career interests. Through the course, students learn to how leverage their language skills to expand professional opportunities, identify and articulate the transferable skills cultivated through language learning, and connect their language proficiency with their other academic, professional, and personal interests. 

Students also learn from their peers, program alumni, and guest speakers about the diverse ways in which language skills have contributed to their academic and professional success.

Russian Flagship students must participate in regular assessments of their language proficiency. These assessments are used to determine whether students are making progress toward targeted proficiency levels and to identify areas of focus for Russian Flagship tutoring.

To make satisfactory progress in the Russian Flagship, students must:

• Meet proficiency benchmarks and complete course requirements, as specified in their individualized study plan;
• Maintain a 3.5 GPA in Russian courses, and 3.0 cumulative GPA;
• Enroll in at least 3 credits of Russian coursework each semester;
• Participate in 1-4 hours of tutoring per week and comply with program policies and tutoring guidelines;
• Actively participate in Russian Flagship extracurricular activities and other program-sponsored events;
• Participate in Russian Flagship assessments;
• Create and maintain a profile in the National Security Education Program (NSEP) Student Certification System (SCS).

Students who are not making satisfactory progress will first be notified verbally and, if necessary, subsequently in writing. Students who receive written notice may be placed on probation. To remain in the Russian Flagship Program, students on probation must meet the conditions specified in their probation plan.