Most students know that Russian is offered for two years at Maine West, and that it is one of the few schools teaching this language. But, why is Russian included, and who should take it?

The emphasis on learning Russian has been increased recently Learning the language can land most applicants a job in diplomatic service. ‑ Maine West teaches it because, according to Mr. D. T. Holbrook, language department head, "It will be one of the most important languages in the future, like English is today." The Russian courses are under the instruction of Mr. Gustave Carlson, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Although Russian is quite important he believes "no more that all students should take Russian than that all students should take any other language."

Enrollment this year totals 30 students. This figure is divided between 21 in Russian I and 9 in Russian II. One explanation for the comparatively small classes is that most people view Russian as an impossibly difficult language. Disproving this is the fact that the first year students mastered the completely new alphabet and its sounds so that they were able to read and write it by the fourth day in class.

Despite the increasing importance of learning Russian, most schools still do not include it in their program. In the few that do, the majority teach only one year of it. At Maine West, however, a student is offered two years of Russian. Taking Russian in high school is a good basis for college courses in it. Mr. Carlson states that the student who takes Russian in high school will be able to take scientific Russian in college.