Marc T. Canner
Where can missionaries study Russian language and culture intensively year-round to be equipped to effectively disciple Russian speakers? Missionary candidates who have studied at the summer Russian Language Institute held at Columbia International University, Columbia, South Carolina, make tremendous progress speaking and understanding Russian in a very short period of time. Since 1993 Russian Language Ministries (RLM) has been conducting a summer intensive program for Columbia International University. RLM provides the instructors, the methodology, and the curricula for these courses.
This same intensive program is also available year-round. For the past four years RLM has conducted intensive Russian language courses in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area. As with the summer programs, those who have trained in these courses have made great strides toward effective ministry in Russia. Taking an intensive course stateside has tremendous benefits for future ministry, benefits which are not available to missionaries who enter the former Soviet Union without the training, or who train intensively in Russia while living there.
This at first sounds incredible. After all, one would think that with the cultural and linguistic exposure, learning in Russia would be faster. But it turns out not to be the case when comparing proficiency acquired by those studying intensively in the West versus those studying in the former Soviet Union. In most cases we have found that intensive study in the United States prior to entering Russian-speaking lands can enable the missionary to begin ministry in Russian much earlier.
How is this possible?
1. The cross-cultural factor. Language training should be done in a culturally appropriate way which is conducive to the student's learning style. Russian natives have difficulty teaching Americans in ways suitable to American culture and thinking. This is especially true for basic students who need much encouragement.
2. Teaching methodology in the former Soviet Union usually is archaic and ineffective. The classroom environment in Russia usually is intimidating. Students in this system receive so much language input all at once that the mind simply cannot process it. Errors are corrected abruptly and harshly, and natives normally cannot or do not explain grammar. Though grammar should never dictate a course, the student does need to know how things are done in order to apply what has been learned to other situations.
3. Missionaries usually have very little time to study Russian in Russia because of the nature of life there. Even when not involved in ministry, one can often spend half a day just traveling across town shopping for basic necessities. If one adds ministry demands to this already grueling schedule, any language learning will come slowly at best.
In the West training is much more effective because the focus is almost exclusively on language learning. With proper methodology (conversational/whole language) and time on task, missionaries can soon become conversant in Russian and even be ready to begin ministering in the language soon after they arrive in the former Soviet Union.
RLM courses provide an atmosphere which promotes accelerated learning along with the encouragement needed to thrive in the language. Students study with gifted and well-trained American and Russian native instructors and are immersed in the language at an appropriate time. The other great advantage of intensive study with RLM is that all courses are specifically designed for the missionary. RLM is a ministry. Our goal is to enable missionaries to become effective workers in the Russian context, workers who are able to minister in Russian, and in ways which are culturally appropriate. Courses stress biblical and theological vocabulary and enable missionaries to teach Bible studies in Russian. All courses stress speaking and listening. 
Marc T. Canner is director of Russian Language Ministries, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Russian Language Ministries (RLM) beginning and intermediate Russian classes will be taught 15 January-27 April 1996; contact: RLM, Box 14254, Albuquerque, NM 87110; tel: 505-880-9667; fax: 505-880-9668. Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, offers basic and intermediate courses 22 January-10 May; 17 June-5 August 1996. Contact: Dr. Jim Wenger, Columbia International University, Box 3122, Columbia, SC 29230; tel: 803-754-4100 Ext. 3133; fax: 803-786-4209 Ext. 1-3133; e-mail:
RLM also is the producer and distributor of a text and tape course, "Russian for Missionaries," for $98.
Marc T. Canner, "Russian Language for Missionaries: Start Now Before Departure," East-West Church & Ministry Report, 3 (Fall 1995), 5-6.
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© 1995 Institute for East-West Christian Studies
ISSN 1069-5664
