Irina Sussin

Irina Sussin is an Associate Professor at Excelia Business School in La Rochelle, France, where she has been teaching since 2008. She serves as the Head of the Languages and Cultures Department, coordinating the learning of 10 foreign languages taught at the School. Originally from Russia, she arrived in France in 1992 after obtaining her first Doctorate in Pedagogical Sciences from the University of Saint Petersburg.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Didactics of Languages and Culture, Université de Nantes (2006)
• Doctorate in Pedagogical Sciences, University of Saint Petersburg (1992)

Professor Sussin specializes in Intercultural Communication and the Didactics of Foreign Languages, with particular expertise in Russian Language and Culture, as well as French Culture. Her research focuses on building relational perspectives in foreign language teaching, understanding cultural exchanges, and developing intercultural competence. She has developed innovative approaches to language teaching that emphasize the relationship between origin cultures and partner cultures, moving beyond traditional language instruction to foster deeper cultural understanding and communication skills.

Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on intercultural communication in language education, particularly examining the relationship between Russian and French cultures. Her work spans academic journals, conference proceedings, and practical teaching materials, showing her commitment to both theoretical advancement and practical application in language education. A recurring theme in her research is the development of relational approaches to language teaching that help learners understand both the target culture and their own cultural identity.

Professor Sussin is also actively involved in cultural exchange initiatives through her long-standing membership in the Droujba association (meaning 'friendship' in Russian), where she contributes to developing twinning and cultural exchanges between Russia and France. As Head of the Languages and Cultures Department for over 10 years, she has shaped language education programs at Excelia Business School, emphasizing the importance of intercultural competence in international business contexts.