Debating Regional Affairs with the Fletcher Russian Language Table
By Ryland Pitts, MALD 2026 Candidate, The Fletcher School
The sounds of boiling water, clinking teaspoons, and crinkling chocolate wrappers blend with voices speaking Russian. It is the Fletcher Russian language table, held weekly at the office of the Russia and Eurasia Program.
Once a week, students, staff, visiting scholars, and professors gather to discuss the most interesting news developments in the region. The conversation is conducted entirely in Russian, offering students an excellent opportunity to discuss key events in an intimate setting with academics.
Bennett Murray, a first year MALD student who has worked as a journalist in a variety of countries, including Ukraine and Russia, puts it this way: “Breaking into a conversation about complex issues in a language you are not yet fluent in is always a pretty big task. But I find that at Russian table, the native speakers seem to go out of their way to use advanced-level vocabulary in a clear, concise manner that doesn’t totally disorient student learners.”
The Fletcher Russian language table was previously organized by students under the auspices of the Eurasia Club, but the table essentially fizzled out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arik Burakovsky, Assistant Director at the Russia and Eurasia Program, reintroduced the table as a part of the program in 2023. Languages are critical for cross- cultural communication and enhancing the capacity to address complex global challenges. The Fletcher Russian language table gives intermediate and advanced learners an opportunity to practice speaking Russian while discussing topical events.
Burakovsky sends out several articles a few days in advance for participants to read. The conversation often meanders naturally as attendees discuss issues as diverse as elections in Georgia, North Korean troops sent to fight against Ukraine, or Russian memes.
Fletcher has a rich history of Russian and Soviet studies and continues to develop its ability to meet the most pressing issues across the Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia region. Whether it is over a glass of kvass or chocolate from Kazakhstan, the Russian language table gives students a chance to hone their language abilities while engaging in global affairs.
