Problems of teaching foreign students in mixed groups

¹ Saint Petersburg State University, Faculty of Philology, Moscow, Russia
² The Kosygin Russian State University, Institute of International Education, Moscow, Russia
³ Moscow Pedagogical State University, Institute of Philology, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: apozdnyakova@live.ru

Abstract

The article analyzes the problems associated with teaching foreign students in mixed groups. A mixed group is a formally isolated part of the educational institution cohort that possesses such characteristics as: 1) a fixed heterogeneous ethno-cultural composition, 2) a different level of preparation of students for mastering the disciplines of the general educational program, 3) common cognitive interests and a single educational content in the current period of time; 4) joint educational activities under the guidance of the same teachers, 5) a single period of study. This article aims to highlight the range of language problems that hinder the development of general education programs by foreign students when studying as part of a mixed group. Since the structure of language difficulties varies for different categories of foreign citizens (foreigners with an initial level of proficiency in Russian, foreign speakers, bilinguals), it is important to have a differentiated approach to regulating the educational process and specially organized training taking into account the ethnic and linguistic needs of all members of the group. A differentiated approach to learning, building an individual way of each group member development allows mobilizing cognitive interests and motivating participants in the educational process. The development of specific recommendations to overcome the possible negative impact of a mixed group on the process of obtaining subject knowledge by foreign students is an important methodological task that requires further study.