ORANGE : In Good Spirits : Visiting Students From Russia Practice English Among Friends

Anastassia Titova said she and a contingent of Russian visitors brought Moscow weather to Orange with them, but she plans to take home “some of the spirit” of the friendly people they have met here.

Titova was one of three teachers who accompanied their principal and 17 students from Moscow International Planet School in the Novo Kosino district to practice their English skills and meet citizens of their sister city, Orange.

The students, who range in age from 9 to 16, attended schools in the Orange Unified School District and journeyed to various Southland attractions.

Disneyland ranked high, along with Universal Studios and swimming at the beach during the one day out of 18 that the weather permitted. “None of the American citizens swam, but all of the Russians did,” Principal Vladimir B. Sorokin said.

On Thursday, Orange Police Department officials showed off their high-tech headquarters on a tour that included a simulated prisoner capture by Eiko, a department German shepherd. But the students were most impressed with the garage, where they sat on motorcycles, and the gym, where they watched officers pummeling bags and huffing away as they worked out.

Between field trips they experienced American schools--an important opportunity for those from Planet, a 3-year-old private school that emphasizes foreign languages and other electives not available at state schools.

Planet officials pride themselves on small class sizes that are unheard of in Russian state schools, Sorokin said. He said he is envious of the computer labs and other technology available at Canyon High School, even though the classes there are large. “Only some of our state schools have computer labs,” he said.

Russian students also have distinct breaks between each lesson, Titova said.

“The process is different, but the result is quite well,” she said, adding, “Teachers are the same in all countries, I suppose.”

She and the others were also struck by routine niceties between strangers, such as nods and smiles from passersby. “We are not used to that,” she said.

They found the same spirit at their host homes, they said.

“Thanks so much for these people,” Sorokin said. “They have so much time and love for our students.”

It was a double treat, said host Sharon Grindstaff. She told of one American student who shared a class with the group and came home to tell her mother all about Russia.

“I think it’s been really beneficial for our kids,” Grindstaff said.

The group will have a farewell potluck dinner Friday and fly back to Moscow on Saturday.