"Innate Literacy Doesn't Exist": A Conversation About the Russian Language and Digital Etiquette

Contents:

• "Society has developed a demand for literacy"
• Why the word "colleagues" and the phrase "good day" are bad form
• "A worthwhile idea can easily be scaled up into something global": about the launch of a proofreading agency
• "A proofreader won't rewrite your text or add meaning": about the profession and its reputation

Ekaterina Tupitsina and Kristina Berlizova founded the proofreading agency "Yolki-palki." In collaboration with Skillbox, they developed a mini-course "Write Competently - Promote Your Personal Brand," which helps develop writing skills and a personal brand. Previously, Ekaterina Tupitsina served as the Operations Director for the international educational project "Total Dictation," and Kristina Berlizova was the coordinator of the project's international platforms. In her proofreading agency, Ekaterina is responsible for proofreading texts, while Kristina manages the business aspects of the company.

In the interview, Ekaterina and Kristina shared their thoughts and experiences. They discussed important aspects of their lives and careers, and also talked about how their friendship influenced their professional paths. Ekaterina noted that Kristina's support was a decisive factor in achieving her goals. In turn, Kristina emphasized that working with Ekaterina inspires her to new achievements. Their conversation touched on topics of personal growth, overcoming difficulties, and the desire for success. This interview - valuable evidence of the power of friendship and cooperation in the business world.

• Is it true that interest in literacy is growing in Russia?
• What words are best avoided in business communication?
• How does literacy affect a personal brand?
• Why is their proofreading agency called "Yolki-Palki"?
• What is a proofreader actually responsible for (they are often confused with an editor or copywriter!).

"Society has developed a demand for literacy"

Literacy is a person's ability to effectively use language in various forms of communication. It includes the skills of reading, writing, as well as understanding and analyzing information. Literacy encompasses not only the ability to read and write, but also the ability to critically evaluate a text, extract meaning from it, and apply the acquired knowledge in practice. In today's world, literacy is becoming an integral part of a successful life, as it impacts educational opportunities, employment, and personal development. Therefore, it is important to develop literacy at all levels, from early childhood through adulthood, to ensure full participation in society. Ekaterina: In today's world, literacy includes more than just correct spelling, punctuation, and stress. This concept has become much broader and encompasses many aspects. Modern literacy implies the ability to think critically, analyze information, communicate effectively, and adapt to a rapidly changing information environment. It is important to develop digital literacy skills, which includes the ability to use online resources safely and responsibly. Thus, literacy today is a set of skills necessary for successful life in society. Communication literacy involves the ability to communicate effectively and adapt your tone of voice depending on the situation. It is important to be able to switch between different communication styles to achieve better understanding and interaction with interlocutors. The correct choice of tone of voice allows you to establish trusting relationships and make communication more productive. Christina: I agree. Your goal in communication is to convey your thoughts clearly and simply to your interlocutor. To achieve this, you need to speak correctly and in understandable language, avoiding excessive use of official jargon, which has long since lost its relevance.

Does innate literacy exist? Many people claim to be able to speak and write without errors, without understanding the basic rules of grammar and spelling. The question of innate literacy is a source of much debate among linguists and educators. Some believe literacy is the result of learning, while others believe that certain skills may be genetically predisposed. However, it is important to understand that even if someone appears literate, without knowledge of the rules, they may make errors that are not always noticeable at first glance. Ultimately, literacy requires constant practice and study, regardless of innate ability.

Ekaterina: Being well-read, well-watched, and experienced in communication are key components of literacy, but innate literacy is a myth. It's sad to see Russian taken for granted: "I've been speaking it since childhood, so I'm fluent." This is a misconception. True proficiency requires constant practice and study, not just long-term exposure to it.

In language, as in other fields such as economics, design, and programming, it's important to continually improve your skills and enhance your qualifications. Regular study and practice contribute to the development of linguistic competence and allow you to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Investing time in learning new language trends and technologies will help you achieve greater success in communication and interaction with others.

Interest in literacy is indeed growing in Russia. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of programs and initiatives aimed at raising the level of education and media literacy among the population. Positive changes are evident both in educational institutions and in community projects that draw attention to the importance of literacy. Active participation in such projects helps people develop critical thinking skills and better navigate the information space. This trend demonstrates growing awareness of the importance of literacy for personal and professional development, which is undoubtedly a step forward for society as a whole.

Kristina: Society is clearly showing interest in literacy. People are beginning to recognize the importance of this skill in professional work and understand that literacy contributes to more effective achievement of their goals.

Ekaterina: The transition to remote work has had a significant impact on employee interaction. Finding themselves away from the office environment and focused on their laptops, people realized that communication via chats and video calls has become the main means of self-expression. In such a situation, avoiding mistakes becomes especially important, as colleagues' attention is focused on every word and action.

Attitudes toward literacy have changed significantly. Previously, if someone made a spelling error, they might laugh it off by saying, "Well, we're not in Russian class." Today, such a reaction isn't met with laughter; rather, it's more likely to cause a nervous twitch in the other person's eye and genuine surprise. In modern society, literacy has become an important indicator of overall culture and professionalism. People increasingly realize that writing errors can negatively impact their reputation and perception. Thus, literacy is becoming increasingly important in personal and business life.

The Russian language today faces several significant challenges. Firstly, this is the impact of globalization and the widespread use of English. Many young people prefer to use Anglicisms, which can lead to a loss of the uniqueness of the Russian language. Secondly, there is the problem of unclear and vague language norms. Incorrect use of words and grammatical constructions is common, making it difficult to understand the text. Thirdly, a lack of attention to literary language and speech culture also impacts the quality of communication. Unjustified simplification of the language, the spread of slang and informal vocabulary make it less expressive. It is important to pay attention to these issues and work to resolve them in order to preserve the richness and diversity of the Russian language. Ekaterina: It doesn't always keep up with new loanwords, as a multitude of new words appear every second, each requiring understanding and precise translation into Russian. Borrowings existed before: Gallicisms from French and Anglicisms from English. However, they reached us slowly and were often weeded out along the way. In today's world, the rate at which new words are created has increased significantly, creating additional challenges for translation and adaptation.

Today, we actively participate in global communication and encounter terms such as "bloggers," "internet resources," "web pages," "data scientists," and "big data." These words are becoming part of our everyday language, reflecting the changes in the modern world, where digital technologies play a key role in interaction and information exchange. The development of internet content and data analytics creates new opportunities for businesses and users, creating a dynamic environment for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Language borrowings often present a complex task even for linguists and spellers. Recently, renowned linguist Boris Iomdin conducted a poll in his Facebook group on the spelling of the term "data scientist" in Russian. This task requires a creative approach to finding equivalents, but offering a correct translation is not so easy. The term "data specialist" seems too cumbersome and doesn't fully capture the essence of the profession. It's important to find a balance between preserving the original meaning and making the term usable in a Russian-language context.

Why the word "colleagues" and the phrase "good day" are bad form

The basics of business communication lie in the key principles that Ensure effective interaction between participants in the business process. It is important to consider that successful communication includes clear expression of ideas, listening skills, and the ability to adapt the communication style depending on the audience.

Effective business communication involves the use of various formats, such as oral presentations, emails, and business correspondence. Focus should be on the structure of messages so that they are logical and consistent.

Non-verbal communication, which includes facial expressions, gestures, and intonation, is also a key aspect. These elements can significantly influence the perception of information.

In addition, it is important to develop intercultural communication skills, especially in the context of globalization. Understanding cultural differences will help avoid misunderstandings and build trusting relationships.

In general, the foundations of business communication are built on mutual understanding, respect, and the desire for productive cooperation. This helps create a positive atmosphere for conducting business and achieving shared goals.

Kristina: Every email or message is a structured message that must be conveyed to the recipient. Writing an email to a colleague may seem like a simple task, but in practice, many questions arise: how to formulate the subject line correctly, where to begin, how to greet correctly, convey important information, and conclude the conversation? Proper structure and clarity will help make your message more effective and understandable.

There are clear rules for effective communication. One of them is to avoid excessive use of the address "colleagues." Frequent use of this word can lead to a blurring of responsibility, since you are addressing everyone and no one in particular at the same time. It is important to address people by name or use more precise wording to establish clear and personal connections in communication. This promotes better interaction and increases the level of responsibility among the participants in the conversation.

Business communication requires clarity and professionalism, and the use of stop words can negatively affect the perception of the message. Common stop words include phrases that can create an impression of uncertainty or incompetence. For example, words and expressions such as "probably," "maybe," and "I'm not sure" reduce the credibility of what is said. You should also avoid excessive qualifiers that can distract from the main idea, such as "generally," "basically." Using clear and confident language will help make communication more effective and professional. Pay attention to how you formulate your thoughts and strive for clarity to ensure the most effective business correspondence and conversations.

Christina: "Good day." This phrase may seem strange and not entirely appropriate. Perhaps people choose it because they are afraid that the other person will open the email at the wrong time. Instead, it's better to use more neutral greetings, such as "hello" or "good afternoon." These phrases sound more natural and are appropriate in any communication context.

The phrase "thank you in advance" is often used, which in some cases can be perceived as manipulative. By using this expression, you put the other person in an awkward position, creating the feeling that they already owe you something, and you are expressing gratitude in advance. This can impact communication, as the other person may feel pressured to fulfill your request. It's better to use more neutral wording that won't evoke such associations and will allow the conversation to remain comfortable for both parties.

Modern digital etiquette includes important points and details that help effectively interact online. Knowing these rules allows you to easily achieve your goals and quickly receive answers to your questions. You can learn more about the rules of digital etiquette and its application in our course.

The connection between literacy and personal branding is key in the modern world. Literacy not only forms the basis for effective communication but also serves as the foundation for creating and maintaining a personal brand. It's important to pay attention to your level of literacy, as it directly impacts how you're perceived as a specialist and professional.

High-quality literacy allows you to formulate your thoughts clearly and understandably, which helps build trust with your audience. A personal brand, in turn, requires constant improvement of skills and knowledge. To successfully promote your brand, you need to not only maintain literacy in written and spoken language but also actively develop your knowledge in your chosen field.

Furthermore, literacy plays a crucial role in creating content that reflects your expertise. Publications, articles, and posts should not only be informative but also well-written to attract and retain the attention of your target audience. As a result, high literacy will help strengthen your personal brand and increase its authority.

Literacy in the context of a personal brand has two key aspects. First, it reflects your respect for the person you're communicating with. When I receive one clearly structured message instead of a multitude of incoherent text messages, I feel cared for. It demonstrates that the person values ​​my time and hastily prepared the text in advance, rather than simply scribbling it down on the subway without thinking it through. Caring for the other person creates a positive impression and strengthens your personal brand.

Literacy is an important indicator of your professional level and your ability to effectively present your skills and knowledge. It serves as a kind of litmus test by which employers and colleagues evaluate your potential. The ability to clearly and competently express your thoughts helps create a positive impression and increases the chances of successful cooperation.

Of course, I am ready to help with editing the text. Please provide the original text for revision.

If you have deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but do not know how to effectively express your thoughts in words, then you will have a hard time achieving success in sales and promoting your business. The ability to convey your ideas and proposals to potential clients is a key element in the sales process. Without this skill, even the best strategies may fail to produce the desired results. Therefore, it's important not only to develop your professional skills but also to refine your communication skills to successfully promote your services and products.

Marketers may object, arguing that the content of the message is more important in advertising than its literacy. However, it's important to note that literacy and proper text formatting play a key role in how information is perceived. Errors in text can reduce trust in a brand and diminish its authority. Therefore, the combination of a compelling message and a high level of literacy is the key to a successful advertising campaign. A smart approach to content creation that combines both creativity and literacy promotes more effective engagement with the audience and increases the chances of successful promotion of a product or service.

Ekaterina: Not only will they disagree, but they will also cite examples, claiming that they made a mistake but still managed to earn three million. That's truly impressive. However, when segmenting an audience, more attentive members will certainly notice every error and draw the appropriate conclusions.

We encountered an interesting case with Kristina: we were given a newspaper from a young political party, and we noticed numerous typos on the very first page. This created the impression that the team had not been diligent in preparing their product. As a result, trust in the party significantly decreased. Despite their promising statements about a bright future, the party's image was undermined by a lack of literacy.

If you want to improve the quality of your sales and attract a literate audience, it is important to meet their requirements. With a high level of professionalism and competence, you can earn their trust. Research shows that educated and knowledgeable customers value quality and are willing to support brands that meet their expectations. Therefore, to successfully sell your product, you must not only create it with the needs of your audience in mind but also demonstrate your expertise and respect for them.

Kristina: Illiteracy can be a serious reputational risk for a brand. At a recent exhibition at an industry museum in Kaluga, I noticed a mistake on a stand. This raises questions about the attention to detail in large, reputable organizations. If such a serious organization can't control processes at the lower levels, what can be said about management at the higher levels? Such situations undermine brand trust and can negatively impact its image. Modern companies must pay attention to the literacy of their content to avoid such reputational risks.

"A worthwhile idea can easily be scaled up into something global": on launching a proofreading agency

Ekaterina and Kristina, you were involved in the Total Dictation project for a long time. Could you share some of your responsibilities within this project?

Kristina: As part of the Total Dictation, I was involved in creating video content and managing video projects. My responsibilities included organizing online broadcasts, running online marathons, and developing educational videos. I also coordinated the project in international cities, which allowed me to expand my audience and increase interest in the event.

Ekaterina: I worked as a coordinator for Russian cities, and in recent years, I held the position of Operations Director. I have seven years of experience with the project.

The Total Dictation had a significant impact on me, especially in terms of values. Participating in this project strengthened my commitment to literacy and respect for my native language. I realized the importance of correct spelling and its impact on the perception of information. This experience also contributed to the development of a sense of community, as people of different ages and backgrounds unite for a common goal—improving literacy. The Total Dictation has become not only a knowledge test but also a powerful tool for fostering respect for the culture of language and its preservation in modern society.

Kristina: I joined the Total Dictation to support the idea of ​​popularizing the Russian language. Throughout my life, I have tried to combat illiteracy: my classmates spoke correct Russian because I constantly corrected them. Participating in the Dictation was a new stage in this fight.

Ekaterina: My Dictation began in my first year at Novosibirsk State University, where this project began. It became an important milestone in my personal development, helping me realize who I want to be in the future. Having worked in various positions, I identified my strengths and competencies and understood how to effectively apply them to real-world problems. In practice, I experienced what it's like to work on projects with a meaningful idea and purpose.

Kristina: Yes, we felt that a good and promising idea can easily develop into something large-scale. That's how our agency, Yolki-Palki, was born. We strive to provide high-quality proofreading services while simultaneously educating people, emphasizing basic knowledge in this field. Our goal is not only to correct texts but also to educate clients so they can improve their own materials.

The name "Yolki-Palki" arose due to its combination of playfulness and brightness, making it memorable and appealing to a wide audience. It evokes associations with New Year's holidays, warmth, and joy. This name is perfect for creative projects, products, or services related to holidays, family values, and a cozy atmosphere. An interesting turn of phrase can easily attract attention and evoke positive emotions in consumers, which is important for successful marketing.

Ekaterina: I don't usually associate myself with creativity, but this time everything came together. I started thinking about quotation marks: there are quotation marks like Christmas trees, and there are quotation marks like paws, which are sometimes called sticks. That's how the name "Yolki-Palki" (Fir Trees-Palki) was born. This name conceals many meanings: it represents a forest of spelling, rules, and letters, in which it's easy to get lost, just like in a real forest of fir trees. Thus, "Yolki-Palki" symbolizes not only a play on words but also the difficulties people face when learning the language and spelling rules.

Kristina: It's a traditional Russian tree, symbolizing the winter holidays. There's also the interjection "Yolki-palki," which is used to express various emotions and is part of colloquial speech.

Ekaterina: Yes, I have an inner rebel, which was noticeably delighted when I learned that the abbreviation for our project "Yolki-palki" is EP. I found this quite amusing and captivating. I especially like the red underline in our logo, which symbolizes the river and hints at automatic spell checking.

In our bureau, we carefully divided up responsibilities to ensure maximum efficiency. Each team member has a specific role, allowing us to focus on core tasks. We base responsibilities on the professional skills and experience of our employees to optimize the project process. Teamwork and a clear understanding of tasks contribute to high results and high-quality work. This approach allows us to quickly adapt to client requirements and respond to project changes.

Kristina: Each of us plays our role to the best of our ability: I manage and create, and Katya is responsible for proofreading. I have valuable business experience: during the pandemic, I founded an online chess school from scratch and realized that the key to any endeavor is the start.

Katya is a highly qualified and respected proofreader. Our post about the opening of the bureau, published on her Facebook page, received a significant number of likes and shares. Interestingly, we haven't spent a single ruble on promotion and continue to attract clients solely through word of mouth.

Ekaterina: We were truly lucky when we approached Galina Yuzefovich, with whom we collaborated on the "Total Dictation" project, with a request to repost. She agreed, and thanks to this, we've gained a large number of new clients.

Kristina: We see clients returning to us, satisfied with the quality of our services. Moreover, they actively recommend us to their friends, which is our greatest asset. As our experts note, we are currently in the MVP stage—testing our service. Our goal is to grow and expand our operations.

"A proofreader won't rewrite your text or add any meaning": about the profession and its reputation

Proofreading not only checks grammar but also corrects stylistic, punctuation, and spelling errors. This important part of the editorial process ensures clarity and accuracy. Proofreading helps improve the quality of the text, making it more readable and understandable for the target audience. Furthermore, proofreading may include checking the text's compliance with standards and requirements, which is especially important for materials published online. Thus, proofreading is a comprehensive activity aimed at creating high-quality and professional content.

Proofreading is not only checking for grammatical errors. It includes standardization of style, as well as attention to technical details. It's important to use the correct dashes in your text—either short or long, depending on the context. It's also important to consider whether to use quotation marks: stick or herringbone. Proofreading also includes the correct formatting of lists and their numbering. All this work helps make the text more readable and professional, which is especially important for improving its quality and comprehension. Text formatting is just as important as literacy. People won't read a long text without paragraphs and structure, even if it's completely free of spelling errors. Proper formatting helps improve information comprehension and retain the reader's attention. Using headings, lists, and highlighting key points makes the text more readable and promotes better understanding of the content. A proofreader is a specialist who helps structure information, format it, and pre-format it. Their job is to improve the readability and comprehension of the text, which is especially important for creating high-quality content. A professional proofreader will ensure correct spelling and stylistic consistency, which contributes to better SEO for your material. Using a proofreader allows you to create a more engaging and understandable text, which in turn increases reader interest and website traffic.

A proofreader is responsible for checking the text for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. Their job is to ensure the clarity and accuracy of the language, which improves the quality of the finished material. Proofreaders are often confused with editors or copywriters, but their roles are distinct. An editor handles more in-depth work with the text, including structuring and stylistic editing, while a copywriter creates original content. A proofreader focuses on the final revision, making them an essential part of the process of preparing the text for publication. Thus, a proofreader plays a key role in ensuring the professionalism of the written material.

A proofreader is often perceived as a specialist who must perform functions beyond their responsibilities. Many people don't realize that a proofreader isn't a copywriter, rewriter, or editor. If you provide them with a text that requires major changes, they won't rewrite it or fill in missing information. A proofreader is responsible for checking spelling, punctuation, and style, not for creating or reworking content. Understanding these aspects will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure a higher quality result.

The proofreader is responsible for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and uniform formatting of the text. As part of their work, they may also conduct fact-checking, if this has been agreed upon in advance. The proofreader's primary task is to ensure high-quality text and correct errors, which improves reader comprehension. A proofreader will not remain idle if a semantic error is discovered. Their job is to identify and correct such inaccuracies. It is important to understand that proofreading a text involves not only correcting spelling and punctuation errors, but also paying attention to the meaning of the material being presented. Therefore, proofreaders actively work to improve the quality of the text, ensuring its clarity and accuracy. If they notice a semantic error, they will take action to correct it, which will help enhance the professionalism of the content.

Ekaterina: Of course, the editor will point out an obvious error, but it's worth noting that this is more the editor's responsibility than the proofreader's. Our agency, Yolki-Palki, had a similar case: a client sent him his novel for proofreading. In the plot, the main character periodically pressed five buttons, but in the second half of the book, this number inexplicably increased to six. We brought this inconsistency to the author's attention, although we might not have noticed it otherwise. This approach helps improve the quality of the text and maintain the integrity of the plot, which is especially important for readers.

You can identify an experienced and qualified proofreader, even if you don't have a deep knowledge of grammar, by several key features. First, pay attention to the quality of their previous work. A professional proofreader will have a portfolio with examples of successful corrections and revisions. Second, it's worth evaluating their attention to detail. A good specialist will not only correct spelling and punctuation errors but also improve the style and structure of the text, making it more readable. Thirdly, communication with the proofreader is also important. An experienced professional will ask clarifying questions to better understand your requirements and goals. Finally, client reviews can serve as an additional indicator of the proofreader's quality. When choosing a specialist, pay attention to their reputation and recommendations. This way, you can choose a truly high-quality proofreader who will improve your text. Ekaterina: We've thought about this problem many times. It's truly difficult. We go to profi.ru to search for a proofreader, but what next? How can we determine whether a specialist is a quality one? Yes, they can spell words correctly, but what about other aspects? I could have checked the spelling myself using a spell checker in Word.

The truth is, unless you consult the Great Academic Dictionary of the Russian Language or Rosenthal's Handbook before bed, you won't be able to assess a specialist's level of competence. Reading these sources allows you to deepen your understanding of the language and improve your communication skills, which is especially important for professionals in various fields. A specialist's expertise can be determined not only by their knowledge but also by their ability to use correct terminology and grammatical constructions.

The proofreading community is highly fragmented: specialists work alone, without forming groups. This creates difficulties for clients who are faced with the problem of verifying the qualifications of their chosen proofreader and are worried about this. In response, we developed the "Yolki-Palki" project, which brings together verified and experienced proofreaders to provide clients with confidence in the high quality of the services provided.

A proofreader must be prepared for several types of professional deformation. Firstly, this is a rethinking of texts, when careful reading turns into a constant search for errors, which can hinder the comprehension of literature. Secondly, the proofreader may begin to be overly critical of the written text, which will affect their own creative processes. It is also important to consider the impact of constant work with texts on language comprehension: the proofreader may become more sensitive to grammatical and stylistic nuances, which, on the one hand, is an advantage, but on the other, can lead to a lack of confidence in their own texts. Furthermore, the proofreader may experience fatigue from routine tasks, which reduces their overall interest in literature and language. Understanding these aspects will allow them to better adapt to the profession and maintain a love of texts. Ekaterina warns that prolonged reading of texts can lead to significant eye strain and possible vision impairment. Furthermore, excessive information absorption can lead to information overload, which, in turn, will lead to a loss of interest in literature. This is a negative experience that she experienced firsthand.

Reading no longer brings me pleasure. Since texts have become part of my professional activity, I've become accustomed to not just reading them, but proofreading them. When I open a book, I start looking for errors, paying attention to the formatting. This eventually distracts me, and I notice, for example, a missing comma, which makes me dissatisfied.

Kristina: I regularly pay attention to texts on billboards and banners online, looking for errors. Katya has her own interesting professional deformation. Her level of literacy is so high that even in personal correspondence, she always begins sentences with a capital letter, does not omit commas, and always puts a period at the end.

Periods in ordinary correspondence can cause a feeling of anxiety and bewilderment. They add uncertainty to messages, creating the impression that the interlocutor is not interested in continuing the conversation. Using ellipses or periods at the end of a phrase can be perceived as coldness or distance. To avoid misunderstandings, it's better to use clearer, more open language and actively engage in dialogue. Proper formatting and punctuation play a crucial role in how messages are perceived and can significantly impact communication.

Ekaterina: Yes, my periods in sentences often shock people. People might think I hate them, when in fact, I use periods simply because I can't express my thoughts any other way.

You want to raise the profile of the proofreading profession through your agency. Proofreading work is often undervalued and goes unnoticed by the general public. It is important to highlight the importance of this profession, as proofreaders play a key role in creating high-quality text, ensuring its literacy and readability. Supporting and promoting proofreading work will help change public opinion and highlight the importance of this profession in the world of content.

Kristina: For many, related professions such as journalism, editing, and copywriting seem more attractive than proofreading. There is a belief that these fields offer more creative opportunities and higher earnings. Our goal is to change the perception of the proofreading profession and highlight its importance in the modern world. Proofreaders play a key role in ensuring the quality of texts, which in turn directly affects the image and success of content. We strive to popularize this profession by demonstrating that proofreading is not only important but also engaging.

The "Write Correctly - Promote Your Personal Brand" course, developed in partnership with Skillbox, is an important step toward successfully developing a personal brand. We actively maintain our social media accounts, where we share useful tips and nuances in this field. In the future, we plan to participate in educational conferences to exchange experiences and expand our knowledge.

The course, developed in partnership with Skillbox, is available in a mini-format for student convenience. This approach allows for a focus on key topics and ensures deeper absorption of the material. The mini-format promotes flexible learning, allowing students to easily integrate the course into their daily lives. This solution is tailored to the modern needs of learners who value concise and focused educational content. As a result, our students are able to quickly and effectively master new skills, making learning more accessible and practical.

Kristina: Our introductory program is designed for a broad audience. We provide basic knowledge in business communication, digital literacy, and proofreading, which will be useful for all professionals, including programmers, designers, and producers. These skills will help improve teamwork and increase overall work efficiency.

At Skillbox, we strive to provide our students with all the necessary competencies for a successful professional career. In a world where most communication is done in writing, proficiency in Russian has become not only an important hard skill but also a key soft skill. The ability to clearly and effectively articulate one's thoughts is a crucial quality that helps strengthen a personal brand and enhance an expert's authority. We are confident that collaboration with the Yolki-Palki proofreading agency will help our students develop this skill, enabling them to present themselves more confidently and professionally in various communication situations, both internally and externally.

Kirill Prudnikov is the head of educational programs for teaching internships at Skillbox. In this role, he is responsible for the development and implementation of modern educational programs aimed at training qualified teaching specialists. Prudnikov actively works to improve the quality of education, introducing innovative approaches and technologies into the educational process, which contributes to the development of students' professional skills. His experience and knowledge in the field of pedagogy make him a key figure in the formation of successful educational practices at Skillbox.