Russian paroemias as a means of activating grammatical and lexical skills in the process of teaching foreign students

Introduction. Currently, Russian paroemias are actively used in the process of teaching Russian as a foreign language in order to improve lessons, increase motivation to learn the language, illustrate typical situations of communication, activate cognitive and thinking abilities of foreign students. The purpose of the article is to describe the process of activating grammar and lexical skills of foreign students with the help of paroemias at different stages of learning. Research methods. In the course of the research we used: the method of directional sampling of material from paroemiological collections and dictionaries; methods of structural, semantic and contextual analysis of proverbs and sayings. Results. Paroemias reflect the folk wisdom, mentality, world outlook, life experience, notions of the surrounding reality, basic values of the Russian people, being important material, which promotes the development of language and communicative and speech skills of foreign students. Various types of assignments with Russian paroemias are used as a means of developing communication skills and abilities, as well as a source of additional scientific knowledge about natural objects, taking into account the direction of student training. Conclusion. The use of Russian paroemias in the process of teaching Russian as a foreign language is the basis for the formation of linguocultural and communicative competence, contributes to the activation of grammatical and lexical skills, the development of monologue and dialogic speech skills, the expansion of the lexicon, the formation of moral principles, the education of tolerant attitude towards language, culture, history, traditions and customs of other nations. The integration of oral folklore in the educational process is relevant for foreign students at different stages of learning. The vocabulary of paroemias is a special language layer, which can also be used by foreign students in their future professional sphere.