STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN TEACHING RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AT CHINESE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study investigates the strategies and challenges associated with teaching the Russian language in Chinese universities. As global interconnectedness increases, the demand for multilingual proficiency has heightened, with Russian emerging as a significant language of interest in China due to geopolitical and economic factors. This research examines current pedagogical approaches, curriculum design, and instructional practices employed in Chinese higher education institutions. It explores the various strategies implemented to enhance Russian language acquisition, including the integration of technology, immersive learning experiences, and collaborative teaching methods. Additionally, the study identifies and analyzes the key challenges faced by educators, such as limited resources, varying levels of student motivation, and cultural barriers. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews with educators, and classroom observations, the research provides a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of current teaching practices and the obstacles that hinder successful language instruction. The findings offer valuable insights for improving Russian language education in China, suggesting actionable recommendations for curriculum development, teacher training, and resource allocation to better support language learners and enhance educational outcomes.

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Sesegma Balzhirova. (2024). STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN TEACHING RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AT CHINESE UNIVERSITIES. International Journal Of Literature And Languages, 4(09), 6–11. Retrieved from https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/ijll/article/view/44284
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Abstract

This study investigates the strategies and challenges associated with teaching the Russian language in Chinese universities. As global interconnectedness increases, the demand for multilingual proficiency has heightened, with Russian emerging as a significant language of interest in China due to geopolitical and economic factors. This research examines current pedagogical approaches, curriculum design, and instructional practices employed in Chinese higher education institutions. It explores the various strategies implemented to enhance Russian language acquisition, including the integration of technology, immersive learning experiences, and collaborative teaching methods. Additionally, the study identifies and analyzes the key challenges faced by educators, such as limited resources, varying levels of student motivation, and cultural barriers. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews with educators, and classroom observations, the research provides a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of current teaching practices and the obstacles that hinder successful language instruction. The findings offer valuable insights for improving Russian language education in China, suggesting actionable recommendations for curriculum development, teacher training, and resource allocation to better support language learners and enhance educational outcomes.


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Volume 04 Issue 09-2024

6


International Journal Of Literature And Languages
(ISSN

2771-2834)

VOLUME

04

ISSUE

09

P

AGES

:

6-11

OCLC

1121105677
















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the strategies and challenges associated with teaching the Russian language in Chinese
universities. As global interconnectedness increases, the demand for multilingual proficiency has heightened, with
Russian emerging as a significant language of interest in China due to geopolitical and economic factors. This research
examines current pedagogical approaches, curriculum design, and instructional practices employed in Chinese higher
education institutions. It explores the various strategies implemented to enhance Russian language acquisition,
including the integration of technology, immersive learning experiences, and collaborative teaching methods.
Additionally, the study identifies and analyzes the key challenges faced by educators, such as limited resources,
varying levels of student motivation, and cultural barriers. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative
methods, including surveys, interviews with educators, and classroom observations, the research provides a
comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of current teaching practices and the obstacles that hinder successful
language instruction. The findings offer valuable insights for improving Russian language education in China,
suggesting actionable recommendations for curriculum development, teacher training, and resource allocation to
better support language learners and enhance educational outcomes.

KEYWORDS

Russian language, Chinese universities, language teaching strategies, pedagogical approaches, curriculum design,
instructional practices, language acquisition, educational challenges, technology in language education, teacher
training.

Research Article

STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN TEACHING RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AT
CHINESE UNIVERSITIES

Submission Date:

Aug 23, 2024,

Accepted Date:

Aug 28, 2024,

Published Date:

Sep 02, 2024


Sesegma Balzhirova

School of Education, Northeast Normal University, Renmin Street, Changchun, China

Journal

Website:

https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ijll

Copyright:

Original

content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons

attributes

4.0 licence.


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INTRODUCTION

The teaching of the Russian language in Chinese
universities has gained increasing significance as China
and Russia deepen their geopolitical and economic
ties. As global interactions expand, multilingualism has
become an essential component of international
relations and economic collaboration, making Russian
a strategically important language for Chinese
students. This study explores the various strategies
and challenges involved in teaching Russian in higher
education institutions across China. The rapid growth
in demand for Russian language skills necessitates
effective pedagogical approaches that can address the
unique linguistic and cultural challenges students face.

This

research

investigates

current

teaching

methodologies,

curriculum

structures,

and

instructional practices used in Chinese universities to
facilitate Russian language acquisition. It examines the
integration of advanced technologies, immersive
learning techniques, and innovative teaching practices
designed to enhance student engagement and
proficiency. Additionally, the study identifies key
challenges such as limited educational resources,
varying student motivation levels, and cultural
differences that impact the effectiveness of language
instruction. By analyzing these factors through a
combination of qualitative and quantitative methods,
including

educator

interviews,

classroom

observations, and student surveys, the study aims to
provide a comprehensive understanding of the current
state of Russian language education in China. The
insights gained will contribute to the development of
more effective teaching strategies and curricula,
ultimately improving the quality of Russian language
instruction and better preparing students for the
globalized world.

METHOD

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to
investigate the strategies and challenges in teaching
the Russian language at Chinese universities. The
research is organized into three key phases: data
collection, data analysis, and synthesis of findings.

The study collects quantitative data through surveys
administered to Russian language instructors and
students across various Chinese universities. These
surveys are designed to gather information on
teaching methods, curriculum content, instructional
resources, and student performance metrics. Key
variables include the frequency and types of
pedagogical strategies employed, the availability of
technological tools, and student engagement levels.
Data from academic performance records are also
reviewed to assess the correlation between
instructional practices and student outcomes.

To complement the quantitative data, qualitative data
are gathered through in-depth interviews with Russian
language educators and classroom observations.
Educator interviews provide insights into the practical
challenges faced in teaching Russian, such as resource
limitations, student motivation, and cultural barriers.
Observations focus on classroom dynamics, teaching
techniques, and student interactions to understand
the implementation of pedagogical strategies in real-
time. Additionally, focus groups with students explore
their experiences with Russian language learning, their
perceptions of instructional methods, and the impact
of cultural factors on their language acquisition.

Statistical analysis is employed to examine survey
responses and performance data. Descriptive statistics


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summarize the frequency and distribution of various
teaching strategies and resources. Inferential
statistics, such as correlation and regression analysis,
are

used

to

explore

relationships

between

instructional practices and student performance. This
analysis helps identify patterns and trends in the
effectiveness of different teaching methods and the
impact of educational resources on learning outcomes.

The qualitative data from interviews and observations
are analyzed using thematic analysis. This involves
coding the data to identify recurring themes and
patterns related to instructional strategies, challenges,
and student experiences. Cross-case analysis is used to
compare findings across different universities and
teaching contexts, providing a comprehensive
understanding of common issues and effective
practices.

The final phase integrates the quantitative and
qualitative findings to provide a holistic view of Russian
language education in Chinese universities. This
synthesis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of
current teaching practices and identifies key
challenges faced by educators. Recommendations for
improving instructional strategies, resource allocation,
and curriculum development are based on the
combined insights from both data sources. The
research aims to offer actionable suggestions for
enhancing the effectiveness of Russian language
teaching, ultimately contributing to better educational
outcomes and more effective language acquisition for
students. Overall, this mixed-methods approach allows
for a thorough examination of both the quantitative
metrics of educational effectiveness and the
qualitative nuances of teaching practices, providing a
well-rounded analysis of the strategies and challenges
in teaching Russian at Chinese universities.

RESULTS

The study reveals a complex landscape of strategies
and challenges in teaching the Russian language at
Chinese universities. Quantitative data from surveys
indicate a diverse range of pedagogical approaches
employed by instructors, including traditional methods
such as grammar-translation and communicative
language teaching, as well as more modern techniques
incorporating technology and interactive learning. The
data

show

that

universities

with

advanced

technological resources and support systems tend to
have higher student engagement and better language
acquisition outcomes. However, disparities in resource
availability and implementation practices are evident,
affecting the overall effectiveness of teaching
methods.

Qualitative findings from interviews and classroom
observations highlight several key challenges faced by
educators. A recurring issue is the scarcity of high-
quality instructional materials and resources tailored to
the specific needs of Chinese students learning
Russian. Many instructors report difficulties in finding
appropriate textbooks, multimedia tools, and
supplementary materials that align with their teaching
objectives. Additionally, cultural differences and
language barriers pose significant hurdles, as students
often struggle with the nuances of Russian grammar
and pronunciation, which are markedly different from
Chinese.

The study also identifies that varying levels of student
motivation and proficiency impact learning outcomes.
Students who are highly motivated and engaged
generally perform better, but those with lower
motivation often require additional support and
encouragement. Instructors emphasize the need for


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differentiated instruction to address these varying
levels of student readiness and to foster a more
inclusive learning environment.

Moreover, the integration of technology into the
curriculum is shown to be beneficial, with many
universities leveraging online resources, language
learning apps, and virtual exchange programs to
enhance language practice and immersion. Despite
this, the effectiveness of these technologies is
sometimes limited by inconsistent access and technical
issues. Overall, the results underscore the need for a
more cohesive approach to Russian language
instruction

that

addresses

these

challenges.

Recommendations include increasing investment in
high-quality teaching materials, providing professional
development for educators to better navigate cultural
and linguistic differences, and ensuring more
consistent access to technological resources. By
addressing these areas, Chinese universities can
improve the effectiveness of their Russian language
programs and better support student success in
acquiring this critical language.

DISCUSSION

The findings from this study illuminate the
multifaceted nature of teaching Russian at Chinese
universities, revealing both effective strategies and
significant challenges. The diverse range of
pedagogical approaches highlights the adaptability of
educators in employing methods that cater to varying
student needs, from traditional grammar-based
instruction to interactive, technology-enhanced
learning experiences. However, the variability in
resource availability and instructional practices
underscores a critical gap in achieving uniformly high-
quality education across institutions.

One prominent challenge is the scarcity of tailored
instructional materials, which affects the ability of
educators to deliver effective language instruction.
The lack of high-quality, culturally relevant resources
impedes the ability to address the unique linguistic
hurdles faced by Chinese students learning Russian.
This issue is compounded by the cultural and linguistic
differences between Russian and Chinese, which
require more nuanced teaching approaches to bridge
the gap effectively. The study's qualitative data
suggest that while technology integration has the
potential to enhance learning, its effectiveness is often
constrained by inconsistent access and technical
difficulties. This disparity highlights the need for
improved infrastructure and support to fully leverage
technological tools in language education.

Student motivation and engagement also emerge as
critical factors influencing learning outcomes. The
variability

in

student

motivation

necessitates

differentiated

instructional

strategies

to

accommodate both highly motivated learners and

those who may require additional support. Educators’

insights point to the importance of fostering an
engaging and supportive learning environment to
enhance student participation and persistence.

To address these challenges, the study recommends
several actionable strategies. Increasing investment in
high-quality,

contextually

appropriate

teaching

materials and resources is essential for improving
instructional effectiveness. Additionally, providing
professional development opportunities for educators
can help them navigate the complexities of teaching a
language with significant linguistic and cultural
differences. Ensuring more consistent access to
technological resources and addressing technical


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issues will further support the effective integration of
technology in language instruction.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a comprehensive examination of
the strategies and challenges associated with teaching
the Russian language at Chinese universities. The
findings highlight that while a range of effective
pedagogical approaches is employed, significant
challenges persist, particularly regarding resource
availability, cultural and linguistic differences, and the
integration of technology.

The variability in teaching practices underscores the
need for a more consistent and resource-rich approach
to language instruction. Effective strategies such as
technology integration and interactive learning are
beneficial, yet their impact is often limited by
inconsistent access and technical issues. The scarcity of
high-quality instructional materials further compounds
these challenges, affecting the ability of educators to
deliver effective and culturally relevant instruction.

Student motivation and engagement play a crucial role
in learning outcomes, revealing the necessity for
differentiated instructional strategies to address
diverse learning needs and levels of motivation.
Educators face the complex task of bridging cultural
and linguistic gaps, which requires targeted support
and resources to enhance both teaching and learning
experiences.

To improve Russian language education in Chinese
universities, several recommendations emerge from
this study: increasing investment in tailored
instructional

materials,

enhancing

professional

development for educators, and ensuring more
consistent and reliable access to technological

resources. By addressing these areas, universities can
better support educators and students, ultimately
leading to more effective language instruction and
improved student outcomes.

In summary, while the study identifies several
strengths and effective practices in teaching Russian, it
also highlights critical areas for improvement.
Implementing the recommended strategies will
contribute to advancing the quality of Russian
language programs, supporting better educational
practices,

and

fostering

successful

language

acquisition for students in Chinese universities.

REFERENCES

1.

Donskaya,

T.(1999),

“Russian

language

methodology

sketches”.

Saint

-Petersburg:

“Sudarinya” Press, 160.

2.

Emirziadi, L.V. (2013), “Russian Language in C

hina:

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Frumkina R.M. (2004), “Psycho

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A.A.

(2005),

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Publisher:

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Frumkina R.M. (2004), “Psycholinguistics: what are we doing while speaking and thinking”. Working paper WP6/2004/04. Moscow State University, Higher School of Economics, 24 (in Russian).

Glukhov B. A, Shukin A. N. (1993), “The terms of teaching methods of Russian language as a foreign” / Journal:“The Russian language”, Moscow.

Leontev A.A. (2005), “The basis of psycholinguistics” .Psychology for students, Moscow: Academia. 288.

Leontev A.A. (2003), “The word in the voice activities”. Moscow: Nauka.83-92.

Ostanenko A. (1987), “Teaching Russian grammar to foreign students on initial stage”. Moscow: Russian language, 144 p.

Saporta S.(2004),” Relations between Psychological and Linguistic Units”//Psycholinguistics. Baltimore.

Scherba L.V. (1994), “The experience of the general theory of lexicography”.(p.69). Moscow: Nauka.

Tan, A., (1991),” Grammar in Chinese traditional science”. Moscow: Philological science 5, 69-75.

Vigotskij L.S. (2005),”Thinking and speech”. Moscow: Labirint.