Olympiada of Spoken Russian

Friday, April 4, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

The Olympiada of Spoken Russian, organized by the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), is a prestigious language competition that offers middle and high school students a unique opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in Russian and earn recognition for their accomplishments.

This time-honored competition, held nationwide since the 1960s, invites students of Russian to test their skills and celebrate their achievements in the language. As the longest-running secondary school activity of ACTR, the Olympiada remains a cornerstone event for students passionate about mastering the Russian language.

Sponsored annually by the Russian and Eurasian Studies Program at George Mason University, this local competition brings together students from across the Metropolitan DC area to compete in various categories, including Russian conversation, poetry recitation, and knowledge of Russian civilization. Participants will have the opportunity to earn gold, silver, or bronze medals, recognizing their dedication and skill in the Russian language.

Every year, 25-30 of George Mason’s advanced Russian students, along with Russian-speaking faculty members, volunteer as judges for the competition. While students in lower-level Russian courses may not yet have the language proficiency to judge, they still contribute significantly by helping with tasks such as managing the registration table, guiding participants to their designated judging rooms, assisting in the rooms during evaluations, and providing guests with a warm and welcoming Russian hospitality experience.