On April 29, 2020, Vera Shmelkova, Head of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language at Penza State University, conducted an online Russian language lesson with second-year students of Pajajaran University (Bandung, Indonesia), who are studying Russian.

Indonesian students and teachers are currently working using distance learning technologies. Future specialists in the field of the Russian language performed assignments in Russian, asked questions with pleasure, and also were interested in the culture of Russia. The lesson was attended by teachers of the Russian language department and other employees of Pajajaran University.

After the classes, a discussion was held with colleagues on issues related to the presentation of educational material in online learning, as well as to problems associated with studying foreign languages that have arisen in the current situation around the world. Indonesian teachers and students expressed a desire to continue such classes after the end of quarantine in our countries.

On May t the University. J. Nehru (Delhi, India) hosted an online war song contest dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Victory, in which 30 students studying Russian at universities in India took part. The contest programme included the performance of world famous songs such as Katyusha, Dark Night, Victory Day and many others.

The performances of participants were evaluated by an international jury, which included Vera Shmelkova, Head of the department “Russian as a Foreign Language”, Penza State University.