Methods of teaching foreign languages and Russian as a foreign language: traditions and innovations

On April 17, the grand opening of the IX International Scientific and Methodological online Conference on this topic, dedicated to the Year of the Family in the Russian Federation, took place. The event was attended by 230 people from 74 cities of Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan and other countries of the near and far abroad. On behalf of the Rector of Kursk State Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Viktor Lazarenko, the conference was opened by Vice-rector for Research and Innovative Development, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vyacheslav Lipatov.

Denis Chernov, Vice-rector for Educational Work, Colonel of the reserve medical Service, delivered a welcoming speech from our university. He congratulated the participants of the international scientific event on behalf of the Rector of BSMU, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Sergei Rubnikovich on the start of the forum and noted that it has become a good tradition to hold international conferences together with medical universities of our republic, Russia and neighboring countries. Denis Anatolyevich Chernov stressed that Belarus and Russia have been and remain fraternal peoples who always support each other in difficult times. In conclusion, he quoted the words of the famous Russian commander Fyodor Ushakov: "Do not despair! These terrible storms will turn to the glory of Russia."

The head of the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Tatyana Melnikova also addressed with words of greeting. She noted that it is thanks to such meetings that we have the opportunity to expand our knowledge, exchange accumulated experience, and better understand the subtleties and peculiarities of teaching foreign languages and Russian as a foreign language.

Russian specialists from the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages of BSMU took part in the discussions, and also led the work of one of the sections. Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Elena Zankovich headed the section "Languages and Cultures in the modern world space". Senior lecturer of the department Olga Gromova made a presentation on the textbook "Russian as a foreign language for English-speaking students (specialties "medicine" and "dentistry"): a professionally oriented aspect". She stated that this textbook is the result of cooperation between teachers of the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages of BSMU and colleagues from Kursk State Medical University. The joint work was carried out and continues within the framework of the Belarusian-Russian scientific project "Communicative grammar and stylistics of special and artistic texts in professionally oriented teaching of native and foreign languages at the university". Being one of the project coordinators, Olga Gromova spoke about the goals, new approaches and pedagogical strategies implemented in this educational publication. Such manuals are a translator of the concept and strategy of vocational training, help to meet the communicative needs of foreign medical students studying Russian, and thereby increase the effectiveness of training a specific category of students.

Summing up the results of the IX International Scientific and Methodological Online Conference "Methods of teaching foreign languages and RCT: traditions and innovations", the participants noted the relevance of scientific events of this type and expressed confidence that the organization of such conferences will contribute to the establishment of both interethnic and interuniversity, interpersonal contacts.

Author: Irina Andros, senior of  the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages of BSMU, photo by the author
Translation: Nadezhda Kolyago