Intensification of Teaching Russian to International Students: Results of Expert Assessment

The main objective of this study is the analysis of the most effective techniques to intensify teaching Russian as a foreign language. The relevance of the study is determined by the constantly increasing number of international applicants who commence their studies by learning the Russian language. The scientific significance of the research is grounded by a paucity of studies investigating the most effective techniques of teaching a non-native language. An expert assessment has been used as a main research method where 74 teachers with extensive teaching experience participated. In the course of the study, the experts ranked the techniques to intensify teaching Russian as a foreign language according to their effectiveness. It has been found that at the initial stage of training, teachers should use communicative trainings and master the most common vocabulary with learners; apply communicative games and active forms of work; purposefully acquaint students with the methods of productive memorization. At the advanced stage of training, it is possible to intensify the learning of Russian as a foreign language through using technical teaching aids, computer programs and Internet resources; systematically monitoring the effectiveness of the learning process; avoiding translations in communication with students. In the research, the participants supported the idea of providing psychological and socio-cultural assistance to international students by creating a favorable learning environment, motivating students to active independent work, and organizing their systematic interaction with native speakers. The research results can be used by the organizers of the process of pre-university training and by language teachers to optimize the educational process. Keywords: intensive teaching methods, Russian as a foreign language, international students, expert evaluation