Successful Contestant in Double All-Russian Olympiad Victories: Genius status not required for victory.
Dual Victory in the All-Russian School Olympiad
Maxim Yevseyev, student at the Specialized Educational and Scientific Center - University Lyceum of the Northeastern Federal University, stormed the final stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad, triumphing in both English and French languages. At the winners' ceremony on June 5 in Government House No. 1 in Yakutsk, the head of Yakutia, Aisen Nikolaev, handed over two certificates worth 100,000 rubles each.
Maxim, the double victor, took the stage, speaking on behalf of the participants. "People have this misconception that only geniuses excel in olympiads. But I disagree. I think everyone has a chance, everyone has potential. However, not everyone has favorable conditions for preparation, not everyone has enough motivation, and not everyone knows where to start," he stated.
With the Olympiad being a golden opportunity for schoolchildren to mingle with like-minded individuals, discover their talents, engage in activities they enjoy, and decide on their future careers, Maxim emphasized the need for promotion, support, and recognition of schoolchildren during preparation and achievement.
The grateful Maxim thanked his teachers – Maria Zharafonovna Orosina for French, Anastasia Olimpievna Harabayeva for English, and his mental preparation coaches – Anna Vladimirovna Gabunia and Diana Yuryevna Gizatullina, as well as the head of the republic and the Small Academy of Sciences of Yakutia.
Two Years Ago, a London Adventure
Following the awards ceremony, Maxim shared his story of preparation and future plans with us. Interestingly, his parents are not linguists, with his mother working in IT and his father being an entrepreneur.
"I've been intensely studying since the beginning of the school year, mostly on my own, and also a few times a week with my coaches remotely. I've been studying English since the second grade and French since the fifth, as a second language. I started participating in Olympiads since grade school, but they were local. Around 8th or 9th grade, I began competing at the regional and national levels," Maxim shared.
Two years ago, he attended a three-week language course in London. Though it didn't significantly boost his level, he became more fluent, broke down language barriers, and experienced the culture of English-speaking countries, he mentioned.
Maxim plans to invest the 200,000 rubles he earned in further education. He has already identified several universities he wants to apply to, including the Higher School of Economics and the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen. He aspires to specialize in translation or linguistics. His diplomas allow him to enter these universities without entrance exams in English and French.
Maxim also extended advice to students across Yakutia: set goals and don't be afraid to chase them. "I have friends who are too afraid and don't want to participate in competitions because they think it's unattainable. A couple of years ago, I couldn't imagine achieving what I have now. But I've proven to myself that anyone can be a winner. The key is to have a clear goal, motivation, and the desire to win," he concluded.
Exploring Preparation Strategies
To conquer the All-Russian School Olympiad, a student would likely focus on crucial areas, including:
- Understanding language rules and sentence structure in both languages (Grammar and Syntax).
- Expanding vocabulary by reading books, using flashcards, and engaging in conversations with native speakers.
- Improving comprehension and retention through regular reading and summarizing passages.
- Listening to podcasts, radio shows, or lectures in both languages and engaging in conversations.
- Practicing past Olympiad questions to get familiar with the format and question types.
- Leveraging available resources such as study groups, online forums, language learning apps, etc.
- Being dedicated and consistent in setting aside study time each day or week.
Maxim's Preparation Approach
Although specifics about Maxim Yevseyev's preparation strategy remain unclear, winners typically combine these strategies and rely on the guidance of teachers or mentors. They may also craft personalized study plans tailored to their strengths and weaknesses.
Maxim Yevseyev's triumph in the All-Russian School Olympiad clearly demonstrates the potential for personal growth and learning that education-and-self-development opportunities can provide. As he prepared for the Olympiad, Maxim embodied dedication, setting aside study time each day or week, and utilized various resources such as books, flashcards, and native speaker conversations. His story serves as an inspiration for other students, encouraging them to take advantage of opportunities for learning and pursuit of their own personal-growth and success.
