Intercultural approach to teaching Russian as a foreign language (on an example of Astrakhan State Medical University)

State Medical University, 414000, Bakinskaya Str., 121, Astrakhan, Russia

Abstract

The article highlights some problems of multicultural education in Russia. The intercultural approach is considered in the context of teaching Russian as a foreign language. The work offers various forms of intercultural education. The structure of a training textbook with a multimedia application for foreign students "Welcome to Astrakhan!" is presented. In addition, the authors offer their own experience in organizing and conducting extracurricular activities, in particular an international forum of students "Be with us! Speak Russian!» on the basis of the Astrakhan State Medical University in which more than 6000 students from 32 regions of the Russian Federation and about 2000 students from 56 countries of the near and far abroad are annually studied. The University provides training in three languages (Russian, English, and French) aimed at improving communication skills and developing intercultural competence. The study revealed that extracurricular activities increase students' interest in Russian and contribute to the harmonization of relations between students in a group. Social significance of the presented projects is to create a positive image of the Astrakhan region and the Russian Federation as a whole abroad, as well as, to strengthen a position of Astrakhan universities in the international market.