Traditions and innovations: English language teaching in Russia

Abstract

Abstract: The English language in Russia: a brief survey. It includes a historical perspective, the traditions of the past and the new challenges of the present-day situation. The history is simple: it is based on a deep love of foreign languages in general and English in particular. Love against all odds, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer. The traditions of English language learning and teaching (ELLT) are: (1) depth, thoroughness, perfectionism; (2) teacher orientation determined by mass production; (3) a solid theoretical basis; a firm belief that theoretical studies of English will solve ELLT problems; special achievements of Soviet and Russian linguistics in the branches dealing with the concept of the meaning of words: lexicology, lexicography, phraseology, collocation. The present-day novelties and problems are: (1) an ever-increasing urge for English learning – the demand far exceeds the supply; (2) English has become an actual means of communication; (3) a burst of interest in cultural studies caused by “a discovery” that actual communication is impossible without the background cultural knowledge; (4) a change in EL learners and teachers; (5) problems of ELLT materials; (6) an intense interest in non-verbal communication; (7) the advance of new technologies.

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