An open dictation in German was held at Derzhavin University. Students from Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin, Derzhavinsky Lyceum, Secondary School No. 24, and Lyceum No. 29, as well as German language enthusiasts, participated.
The event aims to popularize the German language and develop a culture of literate writing, and to stimulate young people's interest in learning foreign languages. The dictation provides an opportunity to receive an independent assessment of their knowledge and language skills.
Derzhavin University first hosted the All-Russian Open Campaign "Tolles Diktat" in 2016. Organizers note that testing German language skills contributes to the preservation of ethnic and cultural heritage and promotes intercultural dialogue. Therefore, every year, the event attracts increasing attention from German language experts eager to test their knowledge in practice among like-minded people.
"This year, we are holding an anniversary dictation in German. 'Tolles Diktat' is not only an excellent opportunity to test your German proficiency but also to boost your motivation to learn a foreign language. It's gratifying that the number of participants is growing every year," noted Natalya Ershova, coordinator of the open All-Russian event 'Tolles Diktat – 2026' in the Tambov Region and Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Philology and Applied Linguistics at Derzhavin University.
In 2026, the students completed the dictation at levels A2 and B1. The dictations are dedicated to the biographies of famous Russian Germans who have made significant contributions to the development of Russian science and culture. Among this constellation of names are the writer, philosopher, and lexicographer Vladimir Dal, the geographer and Arctic explorer Otto Schmidt, the translator of Kazakh literature, the Volga German Gerold Belger, and the Soviet sculptor Matvey Manizer.
"I first participated in the Total Dictation as a student at Lyceum No. 29 in Tambov. Today I took the dictation at the same venue, but this time as a student of Derzhavin University. For me, this isn't just a test of my knowledge of the German language, but an understanding of my progress in learning it. Even though I've decided to dedicate my life to digital sociology, I continue to study German with great pleasure at university," says Ivan Belousov, a student in the Faculty of History, Political Science, and Philology at Derzhavin University.
The all-Russian open campaign "Tolles Diktat – 2026" is timed to coincide with International Mother Language Day, established by UNESCO. It is celebrated on February 21st to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The dictation is held with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs of Russia, in collaboration with public organizations of Russian Germans.
The results of the open dictation will be published on the competition website.
