US Ambassador to Russia: Russia is an open country

A solemn opening ceremony of the 15th conference of the National Association of EFL Teachers in Russia (NATE Russia) “Learning to Speak the Same Language” opened at Kazan State Power-Engineering University on June 26. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Russian Federation John Beyrle participated in the opening ceremony.

The following officials participated: State advisor for international affairs under Tatarstan President – Director of Tatarstan Department of International Relations Timul Akulov, Tatarstan Minister of Education and Science Albert Gilmutdinov, U.S. Embassy in Russia English Language Officer David Fay, Kazan State Power-Engineering University Rector Yury Petrushenko, etc.

The annual NATE Russia conference was held in such Russian cities as Voronezh, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk. This year Kazan has been chosen to host the forum. For the first time in 15 years, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia takes part in the conference.

In his speech, the Ambassador said that teachers, who teach a foreign language, not only impart knowledge about a new culture, thereby helping to understand the national culture, but also open a new world of unlimited opportunities.

“Just 20 years ago, the mankind did not know such words as the Internet, e-mail, Skype, etc. A lot have changed since then. Today we have almost unbounded access to information, an opportunity to exchange it, participate in public life, make friends all over the world. The progress has made great strides and the language of this progress is English,” Mr. Beyrle said. “50 percent of the planet’s population speak English fluently at present. Contemporary Russia too – it is an open country, as the number of Russian citizens’ foreign trips (36 million) demonstrates,” the Ambassador summarized.

The National Association of EFL Teachers conference is to close on June 27.