From anxiety to pride: young tour guides delivered their first original tour at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 22 March, participants of the new academic season of the
"Young Tour Guide School of Russia" delivered their first guided tour
for parents and guests of the National Centre RUSSIA. The students introduced
visitors to the main exposition of the National Centre RUSSIA — the
"Journey Across Russia" exposition, which presents the history,
traditions, landmarks, and achievements of all federal districts.
The key feature of the tours prepared by participants of the
second cohort is the individual narrative style and interaction with guests.
Previously, the students used existing tour scripts as a basis and added only
small personal touches; the current presentations are far more original and
author-driven.
Young tour guide Kristina Korsakova said that preparation
for the important day took several weeks, but the result met expectations:
"Today I am very pleased with myself. I usually have a tendency to rush,
but today I noticed that I spoke clearly and engagingly and did not forget
anything. I am also glad that at the 'Young Tour Guide School' I made many
friends and learned a great deal."
Another important feature is that each federal district is
assigned its own "expert" from among the young tour guides. Together
with the guests, they listen carefully to their peers’ tours and try to assess
objectively what worked well and what needs improvement. This format of peer
review has become a new experience for the students and has helped them view
their progress from an external perspective.
Parents watched the performances with particular emotion, as
for many of the young tour guides this day became their first serious public
challenge, despite the fact that tours in the "Parental Support"
format have already been held at the School.
"Today was very exciting because the tour took place at
the main 'Journey Across Russia' exposition. It is wonderful that a project
like the 'Young Tour Guide School' exists, where children can express
themselves, and we can watch and be proud of them. I cannot yet say whether my
child will become a tour guide in the future, but the National Centre RUSSIA
provides unique opportunities for our children to develop not only as tour
guides but in other areas as well," said Marina Skopintseva, the mother of
one of the participants.
The students’ sincere stories about the history and
achievements of the federal districts have also become a pleasant discovery for
visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA.
"I am here for the first time, and everything is very
impressive. I walk around smiling like a child. I really like that the
exposition genuinely promotes our country. Even though we live here, we do not
know everything about it. I am very glad that children are also learning more
and more about their homeland. I understand that they are nervous today, but
they are doing an excellent job. They are speaking in front of such a large
audience of adults and still handle their nerves like true professionals,"
said Natalia Gruzdeva, a participant in one of the tour groups.
The "Young Tour Guide School of Russia" is an
original project of the National Centre RUSSIA. It continues the Young Tour
Guide School launched at the International RUSSIA EXPO. The programme is based
not only on learning theory but also on mentor support in developing an individual
tour-guiding style.
Classes in the second cohort run from October to May. The
students study theory online and meet on Sundays at the National Centre RUSSIA
to practise their skills.
