The Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted the 5th international scientific conference under the title “Current Issues of Linguistics and the Methodologies for Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language”.
The scientific conference, which was held at the initiative of the Chair of Russian Language and its Teaching Methods, gathered representatives of the leading educational institutions in Armenia and the Russian Federation. The aim of the event was to discuss issues related to the Russian language and its teaching methods, analyze them from the perspective of research and sum up the conference with important deductions.
Head of the Chair of Russian Language and its Teaching Methods Naira Dalyan noted that the status of Russian language is clear in neither the Russian Federation nor other parts of the world and that it is not a matter of the extent to which a person speaks or wants to learn the language. According to her, it is a matter of what kind of language it is and what kind of language it will be now.
“Language bearers must have three styles — the high style (talking to God), the middle style (communication with a circle) and low style (talking to oneself or engaging in dialogue),” Professor Dalyan remarked, citing the famous words of great Russian philosopher and linguist Vladimir Solovyov.
Naira Dalyan noted that times have changed, meaning the high style no longer exists, the middle style is in first place, and the low style is now the middle style. “These are the issues that Russian language specialists are concerned about. We the teachers of this language are also concerned about this issue. We are familiar with Russian culture and the intransient values of Russian literature, and we obviously show the grandeur of Russian language in the classroom.”
Head of the Chair Naira Dalyan attached importance to the scientific conference from the perspective of discussing major issues related to linguistics and teaching methods and underscored the participation of the representatives in the scientific conference.
Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Tigran Mikayelyan noted that the Faculty has ‘rejuvenated’, in spite of the fact that the Chair of Russian Language and its Teaching Methods is almost as old as the University. He highlighted the vast experience of the lecturers in teaching of linguistics and literature studies.
Tigran Mikayelyan attached importance to the radicalization of traditions and consolidation around the discussion on issues related to the profession. “Perfection in own language is a unique pleasure,” he said as he cited the words of V. Likhachov, adding that in regard to teaching Russian as a foreign language, he is glad that the Chair of Russian Language and its Teaching Methods remains the leader in Armenia in terms of improvement of the language and the teaching of linguistic novelties. “Language is not just a means of communication. It enriches a person’s intellect and shapes mindset. From this perspective, I believe this dialogue and these discussions will strengthen within us the unique role and cultural cluster of language which is extremely important and irreplaceable for my generation,” Tigran Mikayelyan concluded.
During the 5th scientific conference under the title “Current Issues of Linguistics and the Methodologies for Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language”, a homonymous anthology of materials was presented.
In their speeches, the participants touched upon the role of software and systems in the current stage of teaching Russian as a foreign language, the use of the educational potential of the Internet in the process of teaching Russian in universities, the sphere of olfactory perception in the language imagery of the world and the paths for development of multicultural education. Besides, the participants also touched upon the practice of conducting in-class discussions on the course of teaching Russian as a foreign language in the sphere of professional communication, the use of neurolinguistics methods in teaching Russian as a foreign language, the lexicographical adaptations of the semantic subset of the words “person” (անձ) and “human” (մարդ) in the Armenian language, etc.
A discussion and question-and-answer session were held.