Representation of Karelia symbols at Russian as a foreign language classes

The article discusses the linguistic and cultural approaches to the study of Russian as a foreign language, using the example of universities in the Republic of Karelia, such as the Petrozavodsk State University and the A. K. Glazunov Petrozavodsk State Conservatory. The authors emphasize the importance of studying the symbolic space of Karelia in order to introduce foreign students to the local culture. They recommend considering state symbols, such as the coat of arms, flag, and anthem, as well as natural attractions, such as bears, mosquitos, cloudberries, the Kivach Waterfall, and other cultural aspects such as cuisine, souvenirs, music, folklore, literature, and famous personalities. The examples of tasks presented in the article (for the level of Russian language proficiency A2-B1) on the topics «State symbols of the Republic of Karelia», «Kalitki», «Kantele» were tested by the authors in classes at universities and constitute the scientific novelty of the study. In addition, the article provides a brief overview of educational literature on Russian as a foreign language, in which the Republic of Karelia is mentioned. The history and culture of Russia, in the diversity of national traditions of its regions, become close and understandable to foreign students, including through understanding the inextricable connection of various symbols, both modern and those with an ancient history. Such work in classes on Russian as a foreign language significantly broadens the horizons of students, increases interest in national culture and the study of the Russian language, activates cognitive activity, helps to cope with the difficulties of adaptation, making the world and society understandable.

1. Shubina NS. Regional component in Russian language lessons with foreign students (using Karelian realities as an example). In: Teaching Russian as a foreign language in the modern educational space: collection of materials of the international scientific and practical conference (Ulyanovsk, June 9–10, 2020). E. V. Korochkina (ed). Ulyanovsk: UlSTU Publ., 2021:78–83. (in Russian)

2. Anisimova OK. Keys to Russian Culture: Dictionary of Linguocultural Literacy. Moscow: Russian language. Courses, 2020:248. (in Russian)

3. Antonova VE., Nakhabina MM., Tolstykh AA. The Road to Russia (First Level – II): Russian Language Textbook: in 2 Parts. Part 2. 7th ed. St. Petersburg: Zlatoust, 2017:184. (in Russian)

4. Belyaeva GV, Lutskaya NE, Gorskaya EI. I write in Russian: basic level: A 2: manual for foreign students. 2nd ed. St. Petersburg: Zlatoust, 2017:171. (in Russian)

5. Gonchar IA. Such a Diverse Russia: a textbook on regional studies: a book for a teacher. St. Petersburg: Zlatoust, 2010:136. (in Russian)

6. Dolmatova O, Novakas E. Tochka ru. A2: workbook: in 2 parts. Part. I. Moscow: Buhler O.A., 2019:118. (in Russian)

7. 10. Mozelova IV. New souvenir 3. Russian language for foreigners. Level B1 (intermediate level): textbook. 3rd ed., corrected and supplemented. Moscow: Russian anguage. Courses, 2019:180. (in Russian).

8. Mozelova IV. New souvenir 4. Russian language for freigners. Upper-intermediate level B2: textbook. Moscow: Russian Language. Courses, 2021:184. (in Russian)

9. Nakhabina MM, Antonova VE, Zhaboklitskaya II, et al. Russian Season: Elementary level: textbook on the Russian language. Moscow: Institute of Russian Language and Culture of Lomonosov Moscow State University. St. Petersburg: Zlatoust, 2015:336. (in Russian)

10. Ovsienko YuG. Russian Language for Beginners (for English speakers): textbook. Book 1. 15th ed., stereotype. Moscow: Russian Language. Courses, 2008:472. (in Russian)

11. Soboleva NI, Volkov SU, Ivanov AS. Progress: Basic level: Russian language textbook. 2nd ed., trans. and additional. Moscow: RUDN Publ., 2009:214. (in Russian)

12. Urvantseva NG. We live and study in Karelia. Elementary level: a textbook on the Russian language for foreign students. Kazan: Buk, 2018:152. (in Russian)

13. Urvantseva NG. We Live and Study in Karelia. Elementary level: Russian language workbook for foreign students. Kazan: Buk, 2018.148. (in Russian)

14. Velikanova EA, Rudina MA. I study at the Petrozavodsk Conservatory: a textbook on the Russian language for foreign students. Petrozavodsk: PetrSU Publ., 2020:82. (in Russian)

15. Velikanova EA, Urvantseva NG. Acquaintance with Karelia in the Classes of Russian as a Foreign Language. In: Golovachev VS (ed.) Geocultural Space of Karelia: Traditions, Modernity, Prospects: Proceedings of the International Conference (scientific and business program of the XVIII ethnofestival «Land of Kalevala-2024»), 13 March 2024. Vol. XVIII. St. Petersburg: SPbGEU Publ., 2024:53-55. (in Russian)

16. One Hundred Symbols of Karelia. Republic. Available from: https://rk.karelia.ru/category/specialprojects/100-simvolov-karelii/ [Accessed 9 September 2024]. (in Russian)

17. Liman IG. Shestakova EN. Project «100 Symbols of Karelia». Almanac of Northern European and Baltic Studies. Petrozavodsk, 2021; 6:316–322. DOI: 10.15393/j103.art.2021.1821. Available from: https://nbsr.petrsu.ru/journal/article.php?id=1821 [Accessed 9 September 2024]. (in Russian)

18. Shubina NS. Project activities in a foreign audience when teaching Russian: experience of organizing the project «Symbols of Russia». The World of the Russian Word. 2021; 1:79–86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24412/1811-1629-2021-1-79-86. (in Russian)